Scott and Janoo push door-to-door outreach in Burlington and statewide

Voters in Burlington and across the state face a tight finish in the governor’s race.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic Progressive Amanda Janoo remain effectively tied in the polls. Both campaigns have shifted their focus to the final days before the November 3 election. With debates concluded, time has become the most valuable asset for each side.

Kurt Wright, a longtime Burlington city councilor and former state representative, said the last three days are about getting voters to the polls. He noted that Scott and Janoo are now prioritizing direct contact. This includes knocking on doors, participating in honk-and-wave events, and making phone calls. Both teams are also spending their remaining campaign funds on last-minute advertisements. Wright added that social media has become a major part of modern campaigns, a change from previous elections.

Natalie Silver, a former campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, described the current effort as complex. Campaigns use state data to identify voters who have not yet returned their ballots. They cross-reference this information with public records showing whether Vermonters have previously supported Democrats or Republicans. Silver emphasized that this process is not precise. She explained that success depends on legwork, including phone calls, door knocking, and data collection to ensure turnout.

Vermonters are reporting an increase in text messages from campaigns. Some of these messages come from candidates in other states, such as New Hampshire or Texas. This occurs because campaigns buy data from national brokers. In Vermont, voters can see which presidential primary ballot a person selects. This information allows data brokers to match phone numbers with political leanings.

Silver described the race as the most competitive in at least a decade. She expects both candidates to spend the weekend meeting voters face to face. She said campaigns are holding persuasion conversations right up until the polls close.

Scott’s team announced that he will volunteer with Wheels for Warmth this weekend. He is scheduled to complete a 14-county tour on Monday. Janoo’s campaign has mobilized more than 540 volunteers who will be door-knocking this weekend to encourage voters to head to the polls.