Newport, Vermont Public Records

Registration deadlines for Vermont elections require applications postmarked by the Wednesday before Election Day, received by 5:00 PM on the Friday before Election Day, or submitted in person by 5:00 PM on the day before Election Day. Election Day registration is also permitted. Vermont does not require voter ID, voters sign the poll book and may be challenged on identity but are not routinely required to show identification. The city holds annual elections on the first Tuesday in March, known as Town Meeting Day, for Mayor, City Council seats, and local ballot measures. The next mayoral election is in March 2025. Newport's municipal government consists of a Mayor and six-member City Council elected on staggered terms. Polling places vary by ward; residents can find their assigned location by contacting the City Clerk or checking https://mvp.vermont.gov/, Vermont's My Voter Page, which provides personalized voting information including polling place, sample ballot, and voter registration status. Under Vermont public records law, voter checklists (registration lists) are publicly available through city clerk offices for $0.25 per name or $25 for the full list. These lists include name, address, and voting history but not party affiliation, as Vermont does not have party registration. Campaign finance reports for municipal candidates are filed with the City Clerk and available for public inspection. State and federal campaign finance records are maintained by the Vermont Secretary of State's office and searchable at https://campaignfinance.vermont.gov/. In the November 2024 presidential election, Orleans County reported approximately 60-62% voter turnout with roughly 14,500 ballots cast out of approximately 23,500 registered voters. City turnout was similar. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature Vermont's gubernatorial race (four-year term), Vermont's single U.S. House seat (all of Vermont is one congressional district), state senate seats for Orleans County (multi-member district), state house seats for local representative districts, county offices including Orleans County State's Attorney and county senators, and potentially local ballot measures. Vermont does not have a U.S. Senate race in 2026; the next Senate race is in 2028 for Senator Bernie Sanders' seat. Vermont allows early and absentee voting. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason by applying to the City Clerk in writing, online through MyVoterPage, or in person. Absentee ballots are mailed beginning 45 days before the election and must be returned by 7:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received within three days) or delivered in person to the City Clerk's office or ballot drop box. Vermont has increasingly adopted mail voting; all active voters automatically receive a ballot in the mail for general elections as of recent legislation, though voters may still vote in person if they prefer.