In Vermont, where town meeting democracy is woven into the state’s identity, one might assume that local voters have the ultimate say in holding their officials accountable. But in most of the state’s 246 municipalities, that assumption doesn’t hold true—especially when it comes to removing elected officials mid-term.
Surprisingly, only a handful of Vermont towns, such as Underhill, have a formal recall process embedded in their charters. Underhill voters gained this authority in 2021 through a charter amendment that allows for the removal of elected town officials under specific conditions. According to the provision, if at least 15% of registered voters sign a valid petition within 30 days of its issuance, a special recall election is triggered. In that election, residents vote on whether to remove the official from office. This mechanism was notably utilized in October 2021 to recall Selectboard member Peter Duval, marking the first use of such a provision in Vermont’s history.
The full text of Underhill’s recall provision can be found in the Vermont Statutes, Title 24 Appendix, Chapter 155, Section 61.
That’s it—no state agency involvement, no lawsuit required, no waiting until the next election cycle. Just direct accountability.
And yet, Underhill an the exception. Larger cities like Rutland and Burlington—despite their larger populations, budgets, and influence—have no such mechanism. Once someone is elected, they are in office for the duration of their term, unless they choose to resign or are removed through criminal prosecution or a civil lawsuit. Even if public trust erodes, or damaging revelations surface, voters are often left with no recourse beyond public comment and waiting for the next election, which might be two years—or more—away.
Why Isn’t This Standard?
That’s the strange part. Vermont is a state that prides itself on local control. Towns regularly vote on budgets, road maintenance, and even dog ordinances. But the idea that voters should have the right to recall a local official who’s lost the public’s confidence? That remains an outlier.
The answer lies in Vermont’s structure. Municipal governments operate under charters, which are like local constitutions. Every charter change—whether to create a new department, adjust term lengths, or add a recall provision—must be approved twice: once by the local voters and then by the Vermont Legislature. This two-step process adds time, paperwork, and political hurdles that often discourage towns from pursuing changes unless there’s a crisis—or sustained public pressure.
As a result, recall powers are rare, despite being perfectly legal and feasible.
What Would It Take?
Any Vermont town that wants to add a recall clause has a clear pathway to do so. It looks like this:
- Draft a charter amendment to establish a recall process. This includes setting thresholds (like 15% of voters), timelines, and eligible offices.
- Get it on the ballot for a town vote. This can happen on Town Meeting Day, or earlier if the Selectboard or City Council calls a special election.
- Win the vote.
- Submit the approved amendment to the Vermont Legislature for final ratification. Once signed into law by the Governor, it becomes part of the town’s governing rules.
With focused organizing, a charter change can be voted on locally within a few months, and enacted at the state level the following legislative session. In other words, the recall option could become a reality in your town within a year or less—if enough voters want it.
Model Charter Language
§ [X]. Recall of Elected Officials
The voters of the Town may petition for a special election to recall any elected official. A recall petition must be signed by at least ten percent (15%) of the registered voters and submitted to the Town Clerk within thirty (30) days from the date of issuance. Upon verification of a valid petition, the Selectboard shall call a special election to be held within forty-five (45) days. A majority vote in favor of recall shall result in immediate removal from office.
Viewable/Downloadable Petition Template
Want to see what a recall petition might look like?
👉 [Click here to view/download a sample official recall petition form (PDF)]
Curious what a petition to add recall powers to your town’s charter might involve?
👉 [Click here to view/download a sample charter amendment petition form (PDF)]
A Tool, Not a Weapon
Critics of recall laws often worry they’ll be abused—that voters will try to oust officials over minor disagreements or political rivalries. But there is scant evidence of this being the case. Most recall mechanisms, like Barre’s, include reasonable thresholds to prevent frivolous use. It takes real effort to gather signatures, validate petitions, and run a citywide election. If anything, the process forces transparency, conversation, and accountability—qualities local government should embrace.
Besides, voters already have the power to elect their leaders. It stands to reason they should also have a clear, lawful way to remove them if needed.
Time for a Statewide Conversation
As more Vermonters ask tough questions about how their communities are governed, it might be time to ask why the recall option isn’t more widely available. Underhill has shown that it can work. Other towns, especially larger ones with complex administrations, could benefit from that same level of democratic self-correction.
After all, when voters lose confidence in their leaders, democracy shouldn’t have to wait for the next election.
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
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