Vermont Senate approves mail-in voting for general elections

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would see ballots mailed to all voters ahead of future general elections.

Secretary of State Jim Condos says that if the proposal receives final approval in the House, it will make it easier for eligible Vermonters to have their voices heard.

“After conducting a highly successful universal ballot mailing to ensure safe voting for the 2020 election during the height of the pandemic, we heard loud and clear that Vermonters embraced voting by mail with their record-shattering voter turnout,” Condos said in a statement.

Last November, more than 73% of eligible voters cast ballots, a record, and 75% of those ballots were absentee ballots.

Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint, a Democrat, said the Senate is contributing to the state’s legacy of making it easier for people to vote in upcoming general elections.

Gov. Phil Scott said that he largely support the bill.

“My only concern is that if we’re going to do it for the general election, why not do it for all of the other elections we have?” Scott said. “If it works for the general, it should work for some of the others.”