August 11, 2026

Vermont Primary Election

Each party nominates its candidates for the November general election

Filing closes

May 28

5:00 PM

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.

Candidates not yet known for most races

Candidate filing opens April 27 and closes May 28, 2026. Incumbents and their known plans are listed below. Check back after May 28 for the full candidate list.

VT SoS Candidates Page

Vermont Statewide Offices

Governor

2-yr term

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 ScottRepublican

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

Likely runningWebsite

No major Democratic challenger has announced as of March 2026. Attorney General Charity Clark and Treasurer Mike Pieciak have both been mentioned in press reports as potential candidates but have both signaled preference for reelection in their current offices. Candidate filing opens April 27, 2026. (Sources: Seven Days, VTDigger)

Lt. Governor

2-yr term

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 RodgersDemocrat

John Rodgers has served as Lieutenant Governor since 2021. He previously served in the Vermont House and Senate representing the Northeast Kingdom. Rodgers has publicly stated he supports Second Amendment rights. He won reelection in 2024.

Supports Second Amendment rights while serving as a Democrat
Focus on rural Vermont issues and the Northeast Kingdom

Running for reelectionWebsite

Lt. Gov. Rodgers announced he is running for reelection.

Attorney General

2-yr term

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 ClarkDemocrat

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

Likely runningWebsite

AG Clark has said she plans to run for a statewide office in 2026 and is leaning toward reelection as Attorney General.

Secretary of State

2-yr term

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 HanzasDemocrat

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

Running for reelectionWebsite

Secretary Copeland Hanzas announced she is running for reelection.

State Treasurer

2-yr term

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 PieciakDemocrat

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

Likely runningWebsite

Treasurer Pieciak is widely expected to seek reelection, having signaled preference for his current office over a gubernatorial run in 2026.

Open Seat

State Auditor

2-yr term

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 HofferDemocrat

Doug Hoffer served as Vermont Auditor of Accounts from 2013–2026, winning six consecutive terms. He announced before the 2024 election that 2026 would be his last term.

Audited state health benefit exchange, Agency of Transportation, and other major programs
Published detailed reports on Vermont housing and workforce issues

Retiring

Announced Candidates

Tim AsheDemocratAnnounced January 2026

Tim Ashe served as Vermont Senate President Pro Tem from 2013–2021, one of the most powerful positions in Vermont state government. He ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2020, losing in the Democratic primary. He teaches at the University of Vermont and is a former Progressive-Democrat.

Former Vermont Senate President Pro Tem (2013–2021)
Led major Vermont policy initiatives on housing, climate, and tax reform

This is the most notable open seat in the 2026 Vermont elections. Tim Ashe (D) is the first major announced candidate. Additional candidates from both parties expected after filing opens April 27.

Federal Office

U.S. House

2-yr term

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 BalintDemocrat

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

Running for reelectionWebsite

Balint is expected to win easily. 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

Chittenden Southeast3 seats

State Senate

Vermont State Senate

2-yr term

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 ChittendenDemocrat

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

Plans not announcedWebsite

Virginia LyonsDemocrat

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

Plans not announced

Kesha Ram HinsdaleDemocrat

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

Brian MinierDemocrat

Brian Minier represents a South Burlington district in the Vermont House of Representatives.

South Burlington representative

Plans not announced

Covers part of South Burlington — verify your district at mvp.vermont.gov.

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.

Back to Voter Guide General Election Guide (Nov 3)