The Bennington town clerk’s office has seen an spike in requests for absentee ballots, with an approximate 500% increase from regular years.
“Generally, for a state primary, depending on if it’s a presidential year or a midterm year, total turnout can be between 800 and 2,000; absentees are usually three or four hundred,” said Town Clerk Cassandra Barbeau.
However, as of right now they have received 1,500 requests and expect around 2,000 in the coming weeks.
“We’re nearing 2,000 absentee requests,” Barbeau said.
While the increase in requests is greatly accredited to voters wanting to stay safe during the pandemic, Barbeau thinks it is also about convenience. She says that she’s already seen an increase in requests for absentee ballots over the years before COVID-19.
Those who wish to vote absentee can request a ballot; no reason is necessary. It is not the same as vote-by-mail, in which every registered voter is sent a ballot without request. Polling places and voting centers are still open for those who cannot or prefer not to vote by mail.
On June 2 Vermont Senate granted the Secretary of State full authority to determine “whether to mail all registered voters a ballot for this year’s General Election in November” according to Paul Burns from the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
With a staff count of two, Barbeau and assistant town clerk Kayla Thompson are working during the weekends to issue all the requests on time. They have already issued 1,200 ballots and assure the community that they will be done in time.