Bristol, Vermont Public Records

The Bristol Police Department is responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing local laws within the town. Residents can contact the department for emergency response, non-emergency assistance, and to access records related to police reports, arrests, and other law enforcement activities. The Addison County Sheriff's Office also provides supplementary law enforcement services to the Bristol community, particularly in rural or unincorporated areas.

Bristol voters receive election services through the Bristol Town Clerk & Treasurer's Office, 1 South Street, Bristol, VT 05443 (phone: 802-453-2410, website: www.bristolvt.org). This office administers voter registration, maintains the town's checklist (voter roll), processes absentee ballots, and conducts all federal, state, and local elections. Vermont offers online voter registration through the Secretary of State at https://olvr.vermont.gov/. Residents must register by 5:00 PM on the Wednesday before an election, though same-day registration is available at the polls with proof of residency. Acceptable ID includes a valid photo ID or a current utility bill showing the voter's name and Bristol address. Bristol holds its annual Town Meeting on the first Tuesday in March, a traditional Vermont institution where residents vote on the town budget, local officials, and community matters. Municipal elections for the three-member Bristol Selectboard are held at Town Meeting, with staggered three-year terms. The next municipal elections will occur on March 2, 2027. To find their assigned polling place, Bristol residents vote at the Bristol Hub at 4 Airport Drive, Bristol, VT 05443, which serves the entire town. Polling hours are typically 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Vermont's public records law makes voter checklists, candidate filings, and election results publicly accessible through town clerk offices. Campaign finance reports for state candidates are filed with the Vermont Secretary of State's Office and searchable at https://campaignfinance.vermont.gov/. In the November 2024 presidential election, Addison County reported approximately 72% voter turnout with 22,500 ballots cast out of 31,000 registered voters, continuing Vermont's tradition of high civic engagement. On November 3, 2026, Bristol voters will participate in Vermont's gubernatorial election (Governor Phil Scott's current term expires), as well as elections for Lieutenant Governor, all five Vermont Senate seats representing Addison County (multi-member district), Vermont House of Representatives seats for the Addison-4 district which includes Bristol, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Auditor of Accounts, and Attorney General. No U.S. Senate seat is up in 2026 (Senator Peter Welch elected 2022, Senator Bernie Sanders up in 2024). Vermont offers early and absentee voting by mail; any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Requests can be made online at https://mvp.vermont.gov/ or by contacting the Bristol Town Clerk. Ballots are mailed beginning 45 days before the election and must be received by 7:00 PM on Election Day.