Vermont Prepares Response Plan for ICE at Polling Sites

The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office has implemented a response plan to address potential immigration enforcement activity at polling locations during the November 3 midterm elections. Deputy Secretary of State Lauren Hibbert stated that while there is no current evidence that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to station agents at polls, town clerks are being trained to report any disturbances or federal presence immediately.

Under Vermont law, polling locations are designated as sensitive sites where civil arrests are prohibited. Hibbert noted that in a worst-case scenario, state officials are prepared to move a voting location to ensure voter access. She further indicated that ICE would likely be in violation of state law if they conducted civil arrests or carried firearms within the prohibited vicinity of a polling site.

In response to these concerns, Bennington County Indivisible is urging voters to avoid potential election day interference by using secure drop boxes or hand-delivering ballots to clerks. Leadership team member Lisa Pezzulich advised against relying on mail services at this stage, suggesting that early ballot submission is a more secure way to avoid interference.