SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Thousands of people across our region are hitting the polls Tuesday or have already voted.
At South Burlington’s Orchard Elementary, voters were deciding who they wanted to write Vermont’s next chapter. Some are eager to fill in all the bubbles while others have their eyes set on the national election.
Doug Eddy was one of the first voters in line and said he was eager to usher in a new president. Local elections on the other hand… “I’m caught up in going to work, coming home, doing all the regular day-to-day stuff, and so my mind has been distracted, if you could say it like that, by the national races,” Eddy said.
He’s not the only one paying closer attention to national races. “Just voting Democratic for the most part. I’ve heard some names float around here and there but not too much rhyme or reason behind it,” said Casey Mulvaney of Burlington.
But political analysts say there are state races that deserve a closer look. Thirty Vermont Senate seats are up for grabs. Democrats need to win reelection bids for 20 to maintain their supermajority. If Republicans gain more than one seat, experts say they could threaten Scott’s vetoes on the bills many Democrats historically override.
“Those are the kinds of issues where Phil Scott might be able to get his way more often were the Senate to shift a little bit,” said Bert Johnson, a political science professor at Middlebury College.
That’s inspiring some voters to stick to one party across the ballot. “In the past, I’ve often voted one way for Senate and House and the other for the president, but I kind of think this year we really need to go in a straight line,” said Betty Jean Bogue of Shelburne
Political observers are also closely watching the race for lieutenant governor. Though up against incumbent David Zuckerman, Johnson says Republican John Rodgers shares enough beliefs with popular Governor Phil Scott to cause an upset. “Maybe he can tap into some of that Phil Scott magic,” he said.
ST. ALBANS VOTERS WEIGH IN
St. Albans election officials say roughly 120 people voted before 8 a.m. Tuesday morning and that there has been a steady stream of voters. They say nearly 1,400 voted early as of Friday.
Voters we spoke with in Franklin County say they’re hopeful that whatever the outcome, reactions will be peaceful.
“I’d say in the last two elections it feels a lot more divisive — which is unfortunate — which is why I think that it’s really important that we take care of each other no matter what we believe,” said Mike Lawrence of Georgia.
“People should be civil, nice to each other, obviously. Have differences of opinion, on principles, and that kind of thing. There shouldn’t be this negativity, this hatred, revenge, and all that,” said Jack McCarthy of St. Albans Town.
Many people we spoke with also emphasized the importance of getting out to vote.
City Hall is just one of two polling places in St. Albans. The Collins Perley Sports Complex is also open. All poles statewide close at 7 p.m.