Proposition Zero is a proposed charter amendment giving Burlington voters three new tools to participate directly in city decision‑making: initiatives, referendums, and advisory questions.
Burlington stands in contrast to the vast majority of Vermont's other cities' and towns', where voters' right to participate in municipal decision-making is enshrined in their charter documents, reflecting Vermont's cherished tradition of direct, townhall-style democracy.
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The proposed amendment's language is contained in the petition for charter amendment, which will require supporting signatures from at least 5% of Burlington voters. Our goal is to get Proposition Zero as a question on this year's General Election ballot in November. Please see the detailed timeline below.
Full text of the proposed amendment (opens in a popup)
Full text of the proposed amendment (standalone page)
Download full text + petition form as PDF (for printing)
Our goal is to get Proposition Zero charter amendment as a question on the Burlington ballot for the upcoming General Election in November. To qualify, a charter change petition must have the signatures of 5% of eligible voters in Burlington and be submitted by end of September. We have found that canvassing the polls during election time is the most effective way to do so.
Please consider signing up for a 2-hour shift on Town Meeting Day . We will reach out with training information and your petition signature collection kit the week before Town Meeting Day.
Click here to sign up for Town Meeting Day canvassing shift(s).
It would add a new Article X to the Burlington City Charter giving voters three direct democratic tools: initiatives, referendums, and advisory questions. These tools allow residents to place proposals, challenges, or public‑sentiment questions directly on the ballot.
An initiative is a voter‑proposed ordinance or resolution. If residents gather signatures from 5% of registered voters, the City Council must either adopt the proposal or place it on the ballot for a citywide vote.
A referendum allows voters to reconsider an ordinance passed by the City Council. If residents gather signatures from 5% of registered voters within 45 days of the ordinance’s adoption, the ordinance is paused until voters decide whether to uphold or reject it.
An advisory question is a nonbinding public‑sentiment question placed on the ballot. With signatures from 5% of registered voters, residents can ask the community to weigh in on any municipal issue. The results guide policymakers but do not create or change laws.
They give Burlington residents more ways to participate in city decision‑making. These tools can help ensure that major decisions reflect community values and increase transparency and accountability.
Yes. Most Vermont municipalities including Montpelier, Winooski, South Burlington, Rutland, and others already use initiatives, referendums, and advisory questions. Burlington’s proposal follows similar structures and thresholds.
Five percent is a common standard in Vermont municipal charters. It ensures that proposals have meaningful community support while keeping the process accessible.
- Residents gather signatures (5% of registered voters). - The petition is filed with the City Clerk. - The Clerk verifies signatures. - Certified petitions go to the City Council. - Measures appear on the next regular or special election ballot. - Voters decide.
No. All elections would continue to follow Vermont law. The amendment only adds new ways for voters to place items on the ballot.
No. Advisory questions express public sentiment but do not create or change laws. They help City leaders understand community priorities.
The complete language of the proposed amendment is on this website above and will also be available through the Burlington City Clerk’s Office. Voters should confirm all election information with trusted official sources.
FACT: The amendment simply adds tools that already exist in several Vermont towns. The City Council still passes ordinances, sets budgets, and governs day‑to‑day. These voter tools only activate when 5% of registered voters sign a petition.
FACT: A 5% signature threshold is a meaningful bar. Only proposals with broad community interest are likely to qualify. Other Vermont towns with similar systems do not experience ballot overload.
FACT: Referendums apply only to ordinances and resolutions, not routine decisions. A referendum only happens if 5% of voters sign a petition within 45 days.
FACT: Advisory questions are nonbinding. They measure public sentiment and help guide policymakers, but they do not create or change laws.
FACT: Winooski, Montpelier, and other Vermont municipalities already use initiatives, referendums, and advisory questions. Burlington’s proposal follows the same structure and signature threshold.
FACT: These tools are used only when residents choose to petition. Most city decisions proceed normally. When voters do intervene, it’s typically on issues where community input is especially important.
FACT: Any Burlington resident can start a petition. The 5% signature requirement ensures that only proposals with real community support reach the ballot.
FACT: Election procedures stay exactly the same. The amendment only adds new ways for voters to place items on the ballot.