East Hardwick, Vermont Public Records

Johnsbury, VT 05819, phone (802) 748-6600, coordinates with town clerks across the region. Residents can register to vote online through the Vermont Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration system at https://olvr.vermont.gov. Vermont offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible residents to register at the polls on Election Day. To register, individuals must be U.S. Citizens, Vermont residents, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and have taken the Voter's Oath. Vermont does not require voter ID, though first-time voters who registered by mail may need to show identification. Voter registration records are public in Vermont and available for inspection at the town clerk's office, though certain personal information like Social Security numbers is protected. Municipal elections in Hardwick, including East Hardwick, are held on Town Meeting Day, the first Tuesday in March each year. Vermont's traditional Town Meeting allows residents to vote on local budgets, elect town officers including selectboard members, town clerk, town treasurer, and other positions, and decide local policy questions. The Hardwick Selectboard consists of five members elected to staggered three-year terms. The next Hardwick Town Meeting will be held March 3, 2026, when voters will elect local officials and decide the town budget and other local matters. Candidate information and local ballot measures are posted at the town clerk's office and at https://www.hardwickvt.org in advance of elections. Local residents vote at the Hardwick Town House, 150 Gilman Street, Hardwick, VT 05843, for most elections. Polling place assignments can be confirmed by contacting the town clerk at (802) 472-5971 or by checking the Vermont Secretary of State's polling place lookup at https://mvp.vermont.gov. Polls typically open at 7:00 AM for state and federal elections, though Town Meeting Day hours may vary with voting sometimes occurring during the daytime meeting. Election records that are public in Vermont include voter checklists (registration lists showing name, address, and voting history but not party affiliation, as Vermont has open primaries and does not register voters by party), campaign finance reports for state and local candidates filed with the Vermont Secretary of State at https://campaignfinance.vermont.gov, candidate filing documents, and precinct-level election results. The Vermont Secretary of State publishes official election results at https://electionarchive.vermont.gov with detailed breakdowns by town and county. In the November 2024 presidential election, Caledonia County reported approximately 18,500 active registered voters with turnout of approximately 72%, consistent with Vermont's traditionally high participation rates. The county has historically leaned conservative compared to other Vermont counties, though recent elections have shown competitive results in statewide races. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several important races for local voters. At the federal level, Vermont's U.S. Senate seat is not up in 2026 (Senator Bernie Sanders was re-elected in 2024 and Senator Peter Welch's term runs through 2028). Vermont's single U.S. House seat will be on the ballot, as Representatives serve two-year terms. At the state level, Vermont holds gubernatorial elections every two years, so the Governor's office will be decided in 2026. All 150 members of the Vermont House of Representatives (serving two-year terms) will be elected, including the representative for the Caledonia-Washington district that includes Hardwick. Half of the 30-member Vermont Senate seats will be up for election, including potentially the Caledonia County Senate seat depending on the rotation. County offices including Caledonia County Sheriff (four-year term), State's Attorney (four-year term), and other county positions may appear on the ballot depending on term expiration dates. Voters should check with the town clerk closer to the election for confirmed ballot contents and any local ballot measures. Vermont offers absentee voting options. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Early/absentee voting begins 45 days before Election Day. Voters can request absentee ballots by contacting the Hardwick Town Clerk at (802) 472-5971, through the online portal at https://mvp.vermont.gov, or by submitting a written request. Vermont has implemented permanent absentee voter status for voters who wish to automatically receive ballots for all elections. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the town clerk's office by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received within a few days) or delivered in person by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Vermont also allows early in-person voting at the town clerk's office during the 45 days before elections during regular business hours.