“Firearms are not allowed in other sensitive areas in our civic life,” Copeland-Hanzas says
by Guy Page
Don’t come packing to the polls, either on Election Day or in the ‘early voting’ period in which absentee votes are hand-carried to the Town Clerk’s office. Due to a new state law, possession of firearms will be illegal at Vermont polling places beginning with the August 13 statewide primary, the Vermont Secretary of State’s office announced.
The Legislature passed S.209, the so-called ‘ghost gun’ bill, on May 10. Gov. Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature. In addition to bans on unserialized guns, the law states (section 4027, see page 10 of this PDF):
“A person shall not knowingly possess a firearm at a polling place or on the walks leading to a building in which a polling place is located on an election day. The provisions….shall apply to the town clerk’s office during any period when a board of civil authority has voted to permit early voting. A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both.”
This clause was added to the bill after its introduction. A firearms ban bill was introduced in the House but went nowhere. In his letter to the Legislature, Scott said he allowed the bill to pass because the Legislature compromised somewhat on the serialization part of the bill, but added: “In addition to my concerns about this bill’s effectiveness, I would have preferred the Legislature not criminalize mere possession when there is no evidence of criminal intent.”
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas said the newly enacted statewide law that prohibits firearms in polling locations. “Firearms are not allowed in other sensitive areas in our civic life. Our office supports extending that prohibition to polling locations,” said Copeland Hanzas. “Ultimately, we all play an important role to make sure that our elections run smoothly and securely. This is a big election year, and it’s crucial that every eligible Vermonter can make their voice heard.”
As part of their work to support clerks and local election officials, the Secretary noted that her office will be producing educational materials and posters before the Primary Election, including a poster related to the prohibition against firearms in polling places. In addition, they will provide de-escalation and security training for clerks and poll workers.
Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the Voting Rights Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, praised Vermont’s legislators for passing this legislation in a statement this week.
“The new ban on guns at polling places is common sense, and it will help keep the state’s elections safe,” Morales-Doyle said in this “Democracy Docket” post. “No one should be at risk of intimidation or violence while casting a ballot. We hope more states follow in Vermont’s footsteps.”.
The 2020 and 2022 elections saw a sharp rise in violence and threats of violence against election workers: more than 40% of state legislators experienced threats or attacks in the past three years, and more than 18% experienced them within the past year and a half, according to a recent report from the Brennan Center for Justice, Democracy Docket said.
Candidates taking shape – Copeland-Hanzas also reported (see below) the final list of party-backed statewide and Federal candidates for primary. However, the list of House and Senate has not been finalized.
Independent candidates have until August 8th to file for the November general election ballot. Statewide and Federal candidates that have qualified to run in the Primary Election are as follows:
| U.S. Senator | ||
| Bernie Sanders, D-Burlington | Gerald Malloy, R-Weathersfield | |
| U.S. Representative | ||
| Becca Balint, D-Brattleboro | Mark Coester, R-Westminster | |
| Governor | ||
| Esther Charlestin, D-MiddleburyPeter K. Duval, D-Underhill | Marielle Blais, P-Brandon | Phil Scott, R-Berlin |
| Lieutenant Governor | ||
| David Zuckerman, D-HinesburgThomas Renner, D-Winooski | Zoraya Hightower, P-Burlington | John S. Rodgers, R-GloverGregory M. Thayer, R-Rutland City |
| Treasurer | ||
| Mike Pieciak, D-Winooski | Tim Maciel, P-Brattleboro | Joshua Bechhoefer, R-CornwallH. Brooke Paige, R-Washington |
| Secretary of State | ||
| Sarah Copeland Hanzas, D-Bradford | H. Brooke Paige, R-Washington | |
| Auditor of Accounts | ||
| Doug Hoffer, D-Burlington | Linda Gravell, P-Waterbury | H. Brooke Paige, R-Washington |
| Attorney General | ||
| Charity R. Clark, D-Williston | Elijah Bergman, P-Danby | H. Brooke Paige, R-Washington |
A preliminary record of the Major Party Primary candidates can be found here, including State Senate, State Representative, and High Bailiff candidates.
The requirements for the number of signatures for a petition vary by office. For Federal and statewide offices, a prospective candidate must file 500 signatures, while a run for State Senate or County Office requires 100, and a State Representative candidate must gather 50. Vermont law requires candidates seeking office to file a candidate consent form.
Secretary Copeland Hanzas reminded voters of one key difference between the August Primary and the March Presidential Primary: This summer, voters will be given all three major party ballots – Republican, Democrat, and Progressive – and will choose which party primary to vote in. Voters must return the other two, unmarked ballots, and the voted ballot will be recorded.
Voters may request absentee ballots through the My Voter Page at mvp.vermont.gov or by contacting their town or city clerk.
To find your town or city clerk, follow this link: https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/town-clerks/