East Calais, Vermont Public Records

Vermont voters can register online at https://olvr.vermont.gov/, the official Online Voter Registration system maintained by the Vermont Secretary of State's Office (website: https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/). The state allows same-day voter registration, meaning residents can register at the polls on Election Day with proof of residency. For advance registration, the deadline is 5 p.m. The day before Election Day. Acceptable proof of residency includes a Vermont driver's license, current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck showing the voter's name and current address. As an unincorporated village, the community does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, local governance happens through the Calais Town Meeting, an annual gathering typically held on the first Tuesday in March where registered voters decide the town budget, elect town officers (selectboard members, town clerk, treasurer, listers, school directors, and other positions), and vote on local issues. The next Calais Town Meeting will be held in March 2026. Polling place information for local voters can be found by contacting the Town Clerk or using the Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://mvp.vermont.gov/, where voters enter their address to find their assigned polling location and sample ballot. Residents typically vote at the Calais Town Office or Calais Elementary School. Vermont election records that are publicly accessible include voter checklists (registration lists available through town clerks), campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State, candidate filing information, and election results by precinct and municipality. In the November 2024 presidential election, Washington County saw strong voter turnout consistent with Vermont's high participation rates, with approximately 70-75% of registered voters casting ballots, reflecting Washington County's engaged electorate. The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for the area and Washington County voters. While 2026 is not a presidential election year, Vermont voters will decide the Governor's race (Vermont governors serve two-year terms, so the position is up for election in 2026), one of Vermont's two U.S. Senate seats (Senator Bernie Sanders's seat is up in 2024, and Senator Peter Welch's seat will be up in 2028, so no Senate race in 2026), Vermont's single U.S. House seat (Representative Becca Balint's seat, as all House seats are elected every two years), all 150 Vermont House of Representatives seats, 15 of the 30 Vermont State Senate seats (senators serve two-year terms), and various county offices including Washington County State's Attorney, Sheriff, and potential local positions. Absentee voting in Vermont is available to any registered voter without requiring an excuse. Voters can request an absentee ballot by contacting their town clerk in writing, by phone, online through the Secretary of State's MyVoter page at https://mvp.vermont.gov/, or in person. Absentee ballot applications should be submitted by the Wednesday before the election to ensure timely receipt, though applications can be accepted later if time permits. Early voting (in-person absentee voting) is available at the town clerk's office during the 45 days before an election during regular business hours and on special early voting days. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the town clerk by 7 p.m. On Election Day to be counted.