Vermont § 8 - Board of Civil Authority

Full text of Vermont Vermont Statutes Online § 8 — Board of Civil Authority, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 8. Board of Civil Authority

  • (a) The Board of Civil Authority shall consist of the justices of the peace residing within
    the Village, the Village Clerk, and the trustees. At the first meeting following
    each annual Village election, the Board of Civil Authority shall elect a Chair from
    among its members; the Village Clerk shall be the Clerk of the Board. In the event
    of the absence of either the Chair or the Clerk from any meeting of the Board, the
    first order of business shall be the election of a Chair or Clerk Pro Tempore to serve
    for the balance of the meeting. (b) The Board of Civil Authority shall meet prior to every regular or special Village
    meeting or election to prepare, revise, and post in the manner required by law, an
    alphabetical list of all the legal voters in the Village. For that purpose, the Board
    shall have access to any books or lists belonging to the Village, except as provided
    by law, and may require the assistance of any of the Village officers. The Board
    shall post in three places an attested copy of the list of voters so prepared and
    corrected, at least four days prior to the meeting or election, and the said list
    of voters so prepared and corrected, and no others, shall be used at the meeting or
    election. In preparing the list of voters, the Board shall record each name in such
    manner as to identify each voter precisely, so as to avoid any possible confusion.
    The Board of Civil Authority shall be governed by State laws relating to voter qualification,
    checklist maintenance, and removal of names from the checklist, as they appear in
    17 V.S.A. chapter 43. (c) In addition to any other requirement of law, the Board shall cause at least two notices
    of the time and place of each of its meetings for the purpose of revising the checklist
    to be published in the newspaper of general circulation in the Village. Publication
    shall be at least two and not more than 10 days prior to such meeting, but no notice
    need be published with respect to an adjourned session of a meeting for which notice
    has been given. (d) The Board shall assist the Village Clerk and Village President in supervising all
    Village elections and meetings, and shall take care that all laws and requirements
    relating to elections and election procedures and Village meetings are fully and faithfully
    kept. The Board may require the presence of any law enforcement officers it may judge
    necessary to preserve the integrity of any election or Village meeting. (e) The members of the Board of Civil Authority present shall constitute a quorum for
    all purposes. (Added 1999, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 9, 2000.)

Source: official Vermont text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont § 8

What does Vermont Statutes Online § 8 cover?

Section 8 ("Board of Civil Authority") is part of the Vermont Statutes Online, the codified statutory law of Vermont. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Vermont § 8?

A common citation format is "Vermont Statutes Online § 8" (Vermont). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Vermont law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Vermont official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Vermont attorney.

How does Vermont § 8 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Vermont can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Vermont.