Primary and General Election Candidate Listing:
The Elections Division will update the listing of candidates whose consent forms have been received by our office by noon each Friday until the filing deadlines. (Major party candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and High Bailiffs file petition and consent forms with clerks, and the clerks must fax the consent form to our office. If you don't see your name on the listing, please contact the clerk where you filed your petition and consent form.) Our office also has a notebook of consent forms available for inspection. Please only call our office to request this information.
History and information about majority requirements for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Treasurer.
Section 47, Chapter II of the Vermont Constitution requires governor, lieutenant governor, and treasurer candidates to receive the most votes to be elected. In the event no candidate receives a majority, "...the Senate and House of Representatives shall by joint ballot, elect to fill the office, not filled by the voters as aforesaid, one of the three candidates for such office (if there be so many) for whom the greatest number of votes shall have been returned."
Currently, the only popularly elected officials governed by majority election are town officers in municipalities that have not adopted the Australian ballot or other alternative balloting practices (see 17 V.S.A. §2660).
Throughout history, the majority requirement has been applied to other races (secretary of state, auditor of accounts, attorney general, Vermont House, U.S. Congress). Over time the majority requirement has been replaced with the election by plurality. For attempts to change the constitutional requirement for majority election, see Amending the Constitution.
Disclaimer
These pages and databases may contain inadvertent errors despite our reasonable accuracy efforts. Please email us immediately if you notice an error. Also, please remember that website information is not a substitute for researching the law or for the advice of a competent attorney.
In addition, we offer a comprehensive selection of all Vermont forms and templates to assist with various legal procedures and documentation.
Real Estate Transactions and Management
Landlords use the Vermont rental application to collect essential information from potential tenants, assessing their reliability and suitability for the property. The application gathers details on financial stability, rental history, and personal references, which are critical for making informed leasing decisions.
The Vermont lease agreement details the terms under which a property is rented, including duration, monthly rent, and the landlord's and tenant's responsibilities. This contract is foundational for establishing a clear and legally enforceable rental relationship.
A notice to quit in Vermont is issued by landlords to commence the eviction process for tenants who violate their lease agreements, such as through non-payment of rent or other lease infractions. The notice provides a formal warning and a period for the tenant to remedy or vacate.
Property transfers among family members or to resolve title issues are often facilitated by a quit claim deed in Vermont. This document transfers ownership without guaranteeing a clear title, making it straightforward but limited in scope.
An enhanced life estate deed, known as a lady bird deed in Vermont, allows property owners to retain control during their lifetime and automatically transfer the property to a beneficiary upon death. This avoids the probate process while allowing the owner flexibility during their lifetime.
Vehicle and Personal Property Sales
A general Vermont bill of sale documents the transfer of ownership for items such as furniture or electronics. It provides a transaction record that includes the item description, sale amount, and both parties' details.
For vehicle transactions, the Vermont DMV bill of sale is necessary to document the sale legally and is required for vehicle registration and titling at the Department of Motor Vehicles. This form captures detailed information about the vehicle, ensuring compliance with state requirements.
The sale of trailers requires a Vermont trailer bill of sale, which includes details necessary for registration and legal documentation, such as the trailer's make, model, and identification number.
Estate Planning and Health Directives
A last will and testament in Vermont outlines an individual's desires for asset distribution upon death and appoints an executor to oversee the estate, ensuring that the decedent's final wishes are adequately fulfilled.
The durable power of attorney in Vermont authorizes someone to manage financial and legal matters for another person. This is particularly useful when the person can no longer manage their affairs, ensuring continuous oversight.
Healthcare decisions can be delegated through a medical power of attorney in Vermont, which ensures that an appointed agent can make medical decisions following the principal's health care preferences if they become incapacitated.
The living will in Vermont specifies the patient's desires for medical treatment in critical situations. It guides healthcare providers and family members to make informed decisions that honor the patient's end-of-life care preferences.
Vermont State Archives and Records Administration
Vital Records
Online Records Request Form
Records Storage and Reformatting Services
Survey Maps and Lotting Plans
Vermont Standards and Best Practices
Welcome to the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA). VSARA was created by Act 96 of 2008, which merged the Vermont State Archives and Division of Public Records, Department of Buildings and General Services, into one division within the Office of the Vermont Secretary of State.
VSARA has Montpelier (Redstone Building) offices and Middlesex (State Records Center). The division is responsible for the following core functions:
Records and Information Management
State Records Center
Preservation and Access to Permanent Records of the State of Vermont
Birth, Death, Marriage, and Civil Unions Certificates
Administrative Procedure Act / Rulemaking
Record Authentication Services (includes Apostilles)
Notaries Public
2008 Critical Election Dates
Vermont Primary Election - September 9, 2008
Vermont General Election - November 4, 2008
SEPTEMBER PRIMARY PETITION FILING
June 2, 2008, 1st Day to file Major Party Petition and Consent Form
July 21, 2008
@ 5:00 p.m. Deadline for filing Major Party Primary Petition and Consent Form
CAMPAIGN FINANCE DEADLINES
July 31, 2008, Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports Due (all except county candidates)
August 25, 2008, Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports (all except county candidates)
GENERAL ELECTION DATES
June 2, 2008, 1st Day to file Independent Candidate Petitions and Consent forms for the General Election
August 11, 2008, Early and Absentee voting for Major Party Primaries begins - ballots delivered to all town and city clerks
September 3, 2008
@ 5:00 p.m. Voter Registration Application Filing Deadline for September Major Party Primaries
September 5, 2008, 1st Day to file nomination forms for Minor Party Candidates and consent forms for the General Election
Primary Election Day: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Polls open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. as determined by the local board of the civil authority. All polls must close at 7 p.m.)
September 12, 2008
@5:00 p.m. Independent Candidate Petition and Consent Form Deadline for General Election; Minor Party Nomination Deadline for General Election
CAMPAIGN FINANCE DEADLINES
September 25, 2008, Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports Due (all except county candidates)
October 27, 2008, Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports (all except county candidates)
GENERAL ELECTION DATES
October 6, 2008, Early and Absentee voting for General Election begins - ballots delivered to all town and city clerks
October 29, 2008
@ 5:00 p.m. Voter Registration Application Filing Deadline for General Election
Elections: Lobbyists
Candidates, Parties, and PACs
Primary and General Election Information
Campaign Finance Information
Local Elections and Petitions Information
Town Clerks and Election Workers Information
Lobbyist Information
Elections Division
Vermont Secretary of State
26 Terrace Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1101
In-State: (800) 439-8683
Outside VT: (802) 828-2464
FAX: 802-828-5171
Check Mark Graphic Elections: Lobbyists
The official adjournment date for the 2007-2008 biennial session was May 3, 2008.
Lobbyist, lobbyist employer, and lobbying firm disclosure reports were due April 25, 2008. Please follow the link to Lobbying Forms below to access blank forms.
An updated Guide to the Lobbyist Registration and Disclosure Law has also been posted below.
If you have further questions, please contact David Crossman by email or at (802) 828-0771.
Learn About the Law:
2007 Guide to the Lobbyist Registration and Disclosure Law (Revised 6/5/07)
Lobbying Forms:
Registration, Termination, and Disclosure forms for Lobbyists, Lobbyists’ Employers, or Lobbying Firms are available as Word or PDF files.
Lobbyist Finder:
Lobbyist Registry Database- search here to find a particular lobbyist.
Vermont Registered Lobbyists (Excel file as of July 1, 2008)
Find a Lobbyist's Employer:
Lobbyists' Employers -search here to find the name of a particular lobbyist's employer
Vermont Registered Lobbyist Employers (Excel file as of July 1, 2008)
Find a Lobbyist Firm:
Vermont Lobbyist Firm Listing (Excel file as of July 1, 2008)
Find A Lobbyist: The 2007-2008 Vermont Registered Lobbyists photo book is available. To request a printed copy of this booklet from our office, email Katie Lane-Karnas. Please note that the lobbyist and lobbyist employer search contains the most current record(s) of lobbyist and lobbyist employer registration.
View Lobbyist Gifts and Expenditures:
Lobbyists' Reported Gifts to Legislators, Officials
Learn what gifts a legislator or administrative official has received from lobbyists.
Lobbyist Employer Calendar Year Expenditure Summaries:
View summaries from January 2000 through January 2007
2007-08 Compensation and Expenditures Summaries
April 25, 2007, Lobbyist Compensation & Expenditures
July 25, 2007, Lobbyist Compensation & Expenditures
January 25, 2008, Lobbyist Compensation & Expenditures
April 25, 2008, Lobbyist Compensation & Expenditures
April 25, 2007, Lobbyist Employer Compensation & Expenditures
July 25, 2007, Lobbyist Employer Compensation & Expenditures
January 25, 2008, Lobbyist Employer Compensation & Expenditures
April 25, 2008, Lobbyist Employer Compensation & Expenditures
April 25, 2007, Lobbying Firm Compensation & Expenditures
July 25, 2007, Lobbying Firm Compensation & Expenditures
January 25, 2008, Lobbying Firm Compensation & Expenditures
April 25, 2008, Lobbying Firm Compensation & Expenditures