What effect has noncitizen voting had in the Vermont cities where it's legal?

In recent years, Winooski, Montpelier and Burlington made it possible for all legal residents to vote — including asylum seekers, refugees and green card holders like our winning question-asker, Charlotte Blend. Charlotte has been excited to vote on local issues and she’s curious about the impact of the rule changes in the towns where it’s now legal. 

Reporter Mikaela Lefrak talks to new Vermont voters — and a lot of city clerks — about how the at-times controversial changes in local election policy have affected three Vermont cities, from their councils and school boards to their residents.  

Find the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Martin Austermuhle, Elaine Wang, Liz Edsell, Tracy Dolan and Anna Tadio.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: [email protected]Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show!

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

In recent years, Winooski, Montpelier and Burlington made it possible for all legal residents to vote — including asylum seekers, refugees and green card holders like our winning question-asker, Charlotte Blend. Charlotte has been excited to vote on local issues and she’s curious about the impact of the rule changes in the towns where it’s now legal.

Reporter Mikaela Lefrak talks to new Vermont voters — and a lot of city clerks — about how the at-times controversial changes in local election policy have affected three Vermont cities, from their councils and school boards to their residents.

Find the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Martin Austermuhle, Elaine Wang, Liz Edsell, Tracy Dolan and Anna Tadio.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: [email protected]Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show!

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.