Vermont Proceeds With Mail-In Voting After Supreme Court Block
Vermont election officials are managing mail-in ballots for November midterms after the Supreme Court blocked a federal executive order on citizenship verification.
Registered voters in Vermont have begun receiving and returning mail-in ballots for the November midterm elections. The process follows a September 14 ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that blocked Executive Order 14399, a directive signed by Donald Trump in March. The order sought to implement new citizenship verification requirements and unique barcodes for mail-in ballots via the United States Postal Service.
Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas condemned the executive order as "blatantly unconstitutional," arguing that the federal government has no role in determining voter eligibility. She stated that the state is prepared to litigate against any further federal interference to ensure the election is conducted according to Vermont law.
Despite the legal victory, state officials worry the conflict has created confusion that could suppress voter participation. Elections Director Sean Sheehan is urging voters to use the Vermont Voter Portal to track their ballots and cut through the uncertainty. The Secretary of State's office continues to emphasize that voter eligibility remains a state responsibility.
