Vermont Primary Election
Each party nominates its candidates for the November general election
Filing
Closed
As of May 28
What is the Primary?
The primary is how each political party selects its nominees for the general election. Voters choose within their preferred party — the winners face off in November.
Vermont has an open primary: you may request any party's ballot on Election Day, regardless of your registration. Same-day party changes are allowed at the polls.
Filing deadline passed — see full candidate list
Candidate filing closed May 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The races and candidates below reflect filings as of that deadline. For the official certified list, see the VT SoS candidates page.
Vermont Statewide Offices
Governor
The Governor is Vermont's top executive, setting the state's policy agenda and either signing or vetoing legislation. Gov. Scott has vetoed several major bills passed by Democratic legislative supermajorities, including proposals on housing, taxes, and social policy. Vermont elects its Governor every two years with no term limits.
Current Officeholder
Phil Scott has served as Vermont's Governor since January 2017, winning five consecutive two-year terms. A former contractor and racing driver, Scott is a Republican who has supported abortion rights and signed gun safety legislation while vetoing several Democratic tax and spending proposals. He won re-election in 2024 by more than 30 percentage points.
- Supports abortion rights
- Has signed gun safety legislation
Announced Candidates
Filed in the Democratic primary for Governor on May 28, 2026.
Filed in the Democratic primary for Governor on May 28, 2026.
Coventry Emergency Management Director; announced a Democratic primary bid for Governor in April. As of post-deadline reporting (VT Public, May 28), only Janoo and Richards were confirmed filed — Wilson's filing status is unconfirmed.
14-year-old Stowe student. Qualified for the November general election ballot via the newly-formed Freedom and Unity Party — appears directly on the general ballot without going through the primary. Coverage: Newsweek, Fortune, CNN.
- Helped form the Freedom and Unity Party in 2026
- Believed to be among the youngest people ever on a Vermont general election ballot for Governor
Ran for Governor in 2024 as the Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party candidate. Has been associated with a possible 2026 run but no 2026 filing has been confirmed. The minor-party filing deadline is August 6, 2026.
The Republican primary is uncontested — Phil Scott faces no GOP opponent. The Democratic primary appears to be a two-way contest between Janoo and Richards (Wilson announced in April but is unconfirmed as a May 28 filer). Dean Roy of the new Freedom and Unity Party has already qualified for the November general ballot. The minor-party filing deadline is August 6, 2026, so additional general-ballot candidates may still emerge.
Lt. Governor
Vermont elects its Governor and Lieutenant Governor separately — they can and often do come from different parties. The Lt. Governor has limited formal executive power but plays an important succession role and can shape the Senate's proceedings.
Current Officeholder
John Rodgers was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2024 running as a Republican, after years as a Democratic state senator. He previously served in the Vermont House and Senate representing the Northeast Kingdom and has long advocated for Second Amendment rights.
- Supports Second Amendment rights
- Switched from Democrat to Republican before the 2024 race
Announced Candidates
Vermont educator and 2024 Democratic gubernatorial nominee; filed in the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor.
Former Vermont Lieutenant Governor (2021–2023); filed in the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor.
Filed in the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor.
Republican Lt. Gov. John Rodgers is running for a second term and faces no GOP primary opposition. Three Democrats — Charlestin, Gray, and McLaren — compete in the August 11 Democratic primary for the right to face him in November.
Attorney General
The Attorney General represents Vermont's interests in court, enforces consumer protection and environmental laws, and can join multi-state legal actions on issues like opioids and corporate fraud. The office also handles criminal appeals and civil rights matters.
Current Officeholder
Charity Clark was elected Vermont Attorney General in 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the office. She previously served as Chief Assistant Attorney General. She has been active in multi-state coalitions on opioids, environmental protection, and consumer fraud.
- First woman to serve as Vermont Attorney General
- Active in multi-state opioid and environmental enforcement actions
AG Clark filed for reelection on May 4, 2026 (sources: VTDigger, WCAX). No primary or general challenger announced as of the May 28 filing deadline.
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State plays a direct role in how Vermont elections are run — including voter registration, absentee ballots, and the certification of results. Vermont consistently ranks among the easiest states in the nation to vote in.
Current Officeholder
Sarah Copeland Hanzas was first elected Secretary of State in 2022. She previously served in the Vermont House of Representatives for over a decade. She succeeded Jim Condos, who served as Secretary of State from 2011–2022.
- Expanded access to absentee voting
- Modernized business registration systems
Secretary Copeland Hanzas filed for reelection (sources: VTDigger, Ballotpedia). No primary or general challenger announced as of the May 28 filing deadline.
State Treasurer
Vermont's pension systems are a long-term fiscal challenge — the Treasurer plays a key role in managing unfunded liabilities and ensuring retirement security for thousands of state workers and teachers.
Current Officeholder
Mike Pieciak was first elected State Treasurer in 2022. He previously served as Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation and oversaw Vermont's pandemic stimulus distribution before becoming Treasurer.
- Focus on fiscal responsibility and pension fund management
- Advocates for Vermont housing investment programs
Treasurer Pieciak filed for reelection on the May 28 deadline.
State Auditor
Vermont's Auditor of Accounts operates independently of both the Governor and the legislature, auditing state agencies and programs and reporting findings to the public. Six-term incumbent Doug Hoffer is retiring after 14 years, making this an open seat race.
Outgoing Officeholder
Doug Hoffer served as Vermont Auditor of Accounts from 2013–2026, winning seven consecutive terms. He announced before the 2024 election that 2026 would be his last term, opening the seat for the first time in 14 years.
- Audited state health benefit exchange, Agency of Transportation, and other major programs
- Published detailed reports on Vermont housing and workforce issues
Announced Candidates
Tim Ashe has served as Auditor Doug Hoffer's chief deputy since 2021. He was previously Vermont Senate President Pro Tem from 2013–2021, one of the most powerful positions in Vermont state government, and ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2020.
- Chief Deputy Auditor of Accounts since 2021 (under Hoffer)
- Former Vermont Senate President Pro Tem (2013–2021)
Williston business owner; filed in the Republican primary for Auditor of Accounts.
Filed in the Republican primary for Auditor of Accounts.
This is the first open Auditor race in Vermont in 14 years. Democrat Tim Ashe (Hoffer's chief deputy since 2021) is uncontested in the Democratic primary; Republicans Nick Graeter and Joshua Bechhoefer compete in the August 11 GOP primary.
Federal Office
U.S. House
Vermont's sole House member plays an outsize role on federal matters affecting the state — including farm bills, defense appropriations, climate legislation, and social programs. Vermont has only one vote in the 435-member House, making that vote's alignment with Vermont's interests critical.
Current Officeholder
Becca Balint was elected Vermont's at-large U.S. Representative in 2022, becoming the first woman and first openly gay person elected to Congress from Vermont. She previously served in the Vermont Senate and as Senate President Pro Tem. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee and House Education and Workforce Committee.
- First woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Vermont
- Former Vermont Senate President Pro Tem
Announced Candidates
Army veteran; previously the 2022 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate against Peter Welch. Filed in the Republican primary for U.S. House.
Filed in the Republican primary for U.S. House.
Declared Unity Party write-in candidate for the November general election; not on the May 28 filed-by-deadline list.
Balint faces a contested GOP primary between Gerald Malloy and Mark Coester. Andrew Giusto is a declared Unity Party write-in for the November general (not on the filed ballot). Vermont's at-large seat has been held by a Democrat or Independent since 1991.
Vermont State Senate
Your senators from the Chittenden Southeast district
State Senate
Vermont State Senate
Vermont's legislature has passed major legislation on housing, climate, gun safety, and education in recent sessions. The Senate has been at the center of high-profile fights with Governor Scott over tax policy and spending. Chittenden County's delegation has historically been among the most progressive in the state.
Current Officeholders
Thomas Chittenden grew up in South Burlington and previously served on the South Burlington City Council. He was elected to the Vermont Senate representing Chittenden Southeast and is directly connected to his South Burlington constituents.
- Former South Burlington City Councilor
- Grew up in South Burlington
Virginia Lyons is a Vermont State Senator representing the Chittenden Southeast district. She has served in the Senate for multiple terms.
- Experienced Senate member
- Chittenden Southeast representative
Kesha Ram Hinsdale is a Vermont State Senator who previously served as chair of the Vermont Progressive Party before becoming a Democrat. She served in the Vermont House before moving to the Senate.
- Leading progressive voice in the Vermont Senate
- Former Vermont Progressive Party chair
Announced Candidates
Burlington community activist and former chair of the Chittenden County Democratic Party; filed in the Democratic primary for Chittenden-Southeast.
- Former Chittenden County Democratic Party chair
- Burlington community activist
Charlotte pediatrician (partner at Timber Lane Pediatrics); filed in the Democratic primary for Chittenden-Southeast.
- Pediatrician, Timber Lane Pediatrics
UVM student and South Burlington High School class of 2020 graduate; launched his Senate campaign in April and filed in the Republican primary for Chittenden-Southeast.
- Recent SBHS graduate (2020)
- UVM student
All three seats are on the ballot. The Democratic primary is a five-way contest between incumbents Thomas Chittenden, Virginia Lyons, and Kesha Ram Hinsdale and challengers Joanna Grossman and Elizabeth Hunt — voters choose three nominees. Republican Javen Sears, a UVM student and 2020 SBHS graduate, is the lone GOP filer.
Vermont House of Representatives
South Burlington spans multiple House districts — see which one you're in
State House
Vermont House of Representatives
Current Officeholder
Bridget Burkhardt was elected to the Vermont House in 2024 and is serving her first term, representing a South Burlington district.
- First-term representative (elected 2024)
- South Burlington representative
Independents have until August 6, 2026 to file for the November general ballot.
State House
Vermont House of Representatives
Current Officeholder
Emilie Krasnow represents a South Burlington district in the Vermont House of Representatives.
- South Burlington representative
Independents have until August 6, 2026 to file for the November general ballot.
State House
Vermont House of Representatives
Current Officeholder
Kate Nugent represents a South Burlington district in the Vermont House of Representatives.
- South Burlington representative
Independents have until August 6, 2026 to file for the November general ballot.
State House
Vermont House of Representatives
Current Officeholder
Brian Minier represents a South Burlington district in the Vermont House of Representatives.
- South Burlington representative
Independents have until August 6, 2026 to file for the November general ballot.
State House
Vermont House of Representatives
Current Officeholder
Martin LaLonde is a South Burlington attorney who has served in the Vermont House for several terms. He is known as a reliable Democratic vote and has been active on legal and judiciary issues.
- Attorney by profession
- Multi-term South Burlington representative
Independents have until August 6, 2026 to file for the November general ballot.
Primary Voting Info
Polling Hours
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
South Burlington Polling Locations
- Chamberlin School (White Street)
- Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School (Dorset Street)
- Orchard School (Baldwin Avenue)
- Kevin Dorn Senior Center at City Hall (Market Street)
Voter Registration
Same-day registration available at the polls. Register online at mvp.vermont.gov
Absentee Ballot
Request at mvp.vermont.gov
Open Primary
Request any party's ballot — you don't need to be registered with that party.