Bennington, Vermont Public Records

Vermont's bond and bail process allows inmates to be released pending trial, with specific conditions determined by the court. Information about recent arrests can be obtained by contacting the Sheriff's Office or the jail's administrative office directly.

Acceptable identification includes a Vermont driver's license, utility bill, bank statement, or other document showing name and current address in the community. Annual Town Meeting Day elections fall on the first Tuesday in March, a Vermont tradition where voters decide municipal budgets, local ordinances, and town officer positions including Selectboard members, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, and various appointed positions. The next Town Meeting is scheduled for March 2025 and March 2026. The community operates under a Selectboard form of government with five elected members serving staggered three-year terms. To find their assigned polling place, residents can use the Vermont Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://mvp.vermont.gov or contact the Town Clerk's Office directly. Most voters cast ballots at the Bennington Fire Facility Community Room at 130 River Street or at Mount Anthony Union High School at 301 Park Street, depending on their ward. Vermont's public records law makes voter checklists (registration lists) publicly available through town clerks for $0.25 per name, though lists cannot be used for commercial purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are accessible through the Vermont Secretary of State's Campaign Finance System at https://campaignfinance.vermont.gov, and local candidate filings and petitions are maintained by the Town Clerk. In the November 2024 presidential election, Bennington County recorded approximately 23,500 votes cast with roughly 70% voter turnout, reflecting Vermont's historically high civic participation rates; the town itself had approximately 9,800 voters participate. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several major races for local voters: Vermont's Governor race (four-year term), Vermont's single U.S. House seat, all 150 Vermont House of Representatives seats including representatives in the Bennington-1, Bennington-2-1, and Bennington-2-2 districts, half of the Vermont State Senate including Bennington County's Senator representing the Bennington District, Bennington County state's attorney, Bennington County Sheriff, and various town offices if March elections leave vacancies. Vermont does not have U.S. Senate elections in 2026, as both senators are on different cycles. Early and absentee voting is available to all Vermont voters without requiring an excuse; residents can request an absentee ballot through the Town Clerk's Office beginning 45 days before any election, either in person, by mail, or online at https://mvp.vermont.gov. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the Town Clerk by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Vermont has expanded mail-in voting significantly, and during 2020-2024 elections, the state mailed absentee ballot applications to all registered voters for major elections, a practice that may continue for 2026 depending on legislative action.