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“I want to help bridge the gap.”


  • High Bailiff is a position unique to Vermont and the person with the authority to:

    1)  serve writs (essentially an arrest warrant) to the sheriff and 

    2) temporarily step in as Sheriff if the Governor needs to appoint a new Sheriff. 

    Historically, the office has been largely ceremonial and there is no record of a High Bailiff ever arresting a Sheriff. Most recently, the State Police have been responsible for conducting the Sheriff’s arrest (Addison County 2022; Windsor County 2026). 

  • High Bailiff was originally designed to be an elected position held by a civilian. This is important because it signals the belief in objective civilian oversight. Over time, however, law enforcement members began to hold the position. Rather than independent of the Sheriff’s department, the High Bailiff became viewed as a possible next step to Sheriff. 

    The public image of a civilian serving as High Bailiff is very different from that of a person from law enforcement. An elected deputy is essentially an additional member of the law enforcement team. A civilian- neither career-trained in law enforcement nor hoping to become the next Sheriff - is independent in their role. Much like an external facilitator or investigator, a civilian High Bailiff is able to objectively step in.

    A civilian High Bailiff has the credibility that comes from being impartial and serving in office for both the Sheriff’s department and the public.

  • Yes.

    In this current time, bridging the trust gap that exists in both directions between law enforcement and many citizens is of critical importance to public safety, well-being, and the future health of our County and its communities. 

    A civilian High Bailiff can serve as an objective ambassador between the Sheriff, the Sheriff’s Department, and the public. A High Bailiff with the right skills can build bridges from the Sheriff’s department to the public and back again - through community outreach, real dialogue, shared information (both financial and other) - through public forums, small group meetings, and when appropriate, restorative justice work.

    The ability of the High Bailiff to do this work is dramatically increased when the Sheriff is also interested in creating public relationships that have a sense of safety and in deepening community trust. 

  • No. 

    Alongside a fully-trained Sheriff’s department, Vermont State Police have been conducting the recent spate of Sheriff’s arrests.

    What the High Bailiff needs is a level head, the ability to serve a warrant, and the skills to temporarily manage the department while it receives its new leader. This is not limited to law enforcement professionals.

    When it comes to community outreach and bridge building work, a High Bailiff benefits from existing outside of law enforcement. 

    Independence = trust.

  • A High Bailiff must be strong, wise, a good listener and excellent communicator, have deep integrity, be experienced in bridge-building and community organizing, and able to work with all kinds of people and opinions. 

    A High Bailiff must also regard every single person in the County as worthy of respect and human dignity.

    Finally, a High Bailiff must support our U.S. democracy as defined under the Constitution.

  • Amy Payne has these skills and values. 

    Payne is an educator, writer, and local community builder. 

    Her first career was in business where she was recognized for her success in managing teams, large and small, and for her ability to vision beyond tradition to discover outside-the-box solutions for corporate and employee health and growth. She was the youngest person in her industry to be promoted to Assistant Vice President, and until she decided a life lived on planes was not for her, slated to become a company president.

    After settling down to raise a family, she went back to school and earned her MFA in Creative Writing. She went on to teach English for almost 20 years. Her final six years teaching were spent at a high school where she also co-ran the Restorative Justice program. Restorative Justice is a system that addresses harm through true repair and healing. She has seen its power and effectiveness in action, and it is a system in which she deeply believes. 

    Excellent teaching requires hearing and encouraging all voices while simultaneously keeping a classroom safe for open dialogue and learning for all. Respected and loved, each year Payne was chosen by seniors to speak as part of their commencement ceremonies, and in 2019, students dedicated the yearbook to her.

    She is currently serving her second term as Inspector of Elections for Burlington's Ward 4. 

    Payne moved back to Vermont in spring of 2021, a place she could not be more proud to call home. In addition to writing, she co-founded and runs an active multi-generational community group; is a member of a 17-member collective garden; has worked/volunteered with Vermont Garden Network, The Family Room, and Feeding Chittenden; and spear-headed a front yard fruit tree project. She can often be found hiking down paths looking for owls. 

    Amy Payne has a deep and active love for the importance of community and the environment that sustains it, values that Vermont embodies. Every night she lights a candle in her window for hope.

  • These are different times, and as a deep supporter of democracy, Payne knows that how we run the institutions built to preserve democracy is critical to both our county, state, and nation’s success, as well as the safety and well-being of all people. So when an elected state official from Winooski said to her, Hear me out, you have to do this, she listened.

    The opportunity to expand this position into one that involves community outreach and bridge-building deeply inspires her. And so does having a candidate for Sheriff that’s interested in doing this extra work and more.

  • Trust between the public and its law enforcement agencies is at an awful low.

    Aren’t you tired of fear and hate?

    To be a truly strong and healthy community, we must build that trust. Trust between our public servants and our public is an imperative. Division - intentionally or accidentally created - must stop. This will take transparency, integrity, and a dedication to community safety for all. 

    It will not happen by magic. And no one can do it alone, but this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t each begin.

    Amy Payne is ready to be part of the solution that builds a bridge of trust across the gaps that exist today. Come join her .

    Vote Amy Payne for High Bailiff of Chittenden County

Endorsements

Nikhil Goyal

Sociology professor and policymaker; Vermont State Senate candidate

Dave Silberman

High Bailiff, Addison County

"As a civilian High Bailiff serving in office since 2021, I am excited to support Amy's campaign in Chittenden County.  Electing an independent High Bailiff, unbeholden to the Sheriff, reaffirms the importance of civilian oversight of law enforcement, and sends a powerful message that no person, no matter their level of authority, stands above the law."

Chloe Tomlinson

Vermont State Representative, Chittenden 21

Sophie Springer

Food Access Specialist (Three Squares Vermont)

“Amy Payne makes the hard work of community building look effortless, connecting people around commonalities both obvious and obscure. It’s easy to trust her leadership, since it’s grounded in honesty and humility. Amy’s calm demeanor belies her ability to view the world with both razor sharp critical thinking and compassion. I’m privileged to call her a friend, and honored to give her my endorsement for High Bailiff.”

Tucker Harwood

Mental Health Counselor

“I can think of no better person to serve in this important position. Amy is an intentional community-builder and leader. Whether it’s building community gardens, organizing campaigns to increase local food access, or resisting ICE raids, I have time and time again seen her put her time and energy into lifting up and empowering the people around her. Amy is also a person of deep integrity and ethics, which I have personally seen her tap into as a resource to navigate challenging situations, a trait which is also so crucially important for elected officials. And Amy is wise, and is one of the first people I turn to for support and advice when my own life becomes difficult. I feel privileged to have Amy as a neighbor and a friend, and I give her my unequivocal endorsement for High Bailiff. Our community would be lucky to have her leadership, integrity, and wisdom working on our behalf. “

Dave Rappaport

Environmental Professional

“I'm excited that Amy will turn what has been a ceremonial position into one that helps connect the Sheriff's Department with the community it serves.”

Kevin Bloom

Candidate for Chittenden County Sheriff

“Amy Payne is the kind of High Bailiff our community needs. She is both a strong leader with experience carrying organizations through change, and a deeply thoughtful and caring pilar of community. I have seen Amy stand up in the streets to protest injustice and sit quietly with her thoughts to transform a blank page into a creative world. With the right High Bailiff, this office could be such a resource for our community, and Amy Payne is the right person for the job.”

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