Vermont voters weigh record spending and Scott's bid for re-election

Vermonters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide the outcome of the state's most prominent race and their representation in the U.S. House. Polling places across the state, including those in Burlington, will open between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time. Because Vermont conducts its elections largely by mail, many residents have already cast their ballots, though in-person voting remains a significant part of the process. Find your specific polling location at vote.gov or through your state election office. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote.

The statewide race for governor pits incumbent Republican Phil Scott against his Democratic challenger. Scott is seeking to retain the office in a state that is a key battleground for the governor's mansion this cycle. Republicans currently hold 26 governor's offices nationwide, while Democrats hold 24. Of the 36 governorships on the ballot, each party holds 18. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have held since 2010. Vermont is one of the two states where Democrats defend governorships in states that President Trump won in 2024, alongside New Hampshire.

In the U.S. House, Vermont's single congressional seat is up for election. This is part of a national contest for all 435 seats. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and several vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to take control of the chamber. The 2026 cycle is being described by the Associated Press as a referendum on President Trump's second term, with voters reportedly struggling with high prices and an unpopular war with Iran.

The financial scale of this election is unprecedented. According to the Associated Press, the 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. A distinct disparity exists in how the two parties raised and spent their funds. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees at the committee level. This advantage was bolstered by funding from Trump-affiliated groups and billionaire Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents.

An analysis of AdImpact data by the Associated Press reveals where the money went. Eighty-eight point one percent of Republican general election television ad spending was directed at states and districts that Trump won in 2024. In districts where Trump won by 10 points or more, Republican groups spent more than 850 million dollars on television advertising. This strategy reflects a focus on defending the president's base while also attempting to hold the Senate. Republicans are bracing for a potential loss in the House but are fighting to maintain their majority in the upper chamber.

National polling from the AP-NORC center indicates that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 voters say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals of four years ago in many closely watched states. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure that mail ballots are counted on time.

Voters in Vermont will also decide on statewide ballot measures. Proposal 3 seeks to establish a state constitutional right to organize or join a labor organization for the purpose of collective bargaining. Proposal 4 addresses civil rights protections, though specific details on its subject matter involve complex categories including sex and gender. These measures will appear alongside state Senate and State House elections, as well as municipal government races and local ballot measures.

The Associated Press notes that Republicans are trying to beat the historic midterm pattern, where a president's party almost always loses seats. They have relied on redistricting in states like Florida, California, and Texas to create favorable maps. However, new districts may not vote as they were drawn. In the Senate, 35 seats are up for election, including 33 regular races and two special elections. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control, while Republicans can afford to lose only two.

Key Senate matchups include a race in New Hampshire for the seat of retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, and a competitive race in Maine where economic strain and tariffs have made the state a toss-up. In Kansas, a reliably Republican state, the race has become central to the fight for Senate control. The Associated Press reports that one or two seats could tip the balance of power in either chamber. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings are likely to follow.

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout, asserting that if they turn out their voters, they will win. DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene countered that the American people are angry and want change. In Vermont, the focus remains on the governor's race and the congressional seat, with voters weighing the cost of living and the direction of the state under incumbent leadership. The results will help determine who controls Congress for the final two years of Trump's term.

Wall Street is watching the election closely, as Reuters notes that results could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The federal judiciary is also active, with a judge temporarily barring the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics argue this risks disenfranchising eligible voters, while supporters see it as a necessary safeguard. As polls close in Burlington and across Vermont at 7 p.m., voters will cast their final ballots in a cycle defined by record spending and high stakes.