Vermonters vote as 10 key Senate races decide national control

In Burlington, Vermont, polls opened between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. this morning and will close at 7 p.m., according to Ballotpedia. The state conducts its elections largely by mail, so many residents have already cast their ballots. Those voting in person can find their specific polling place at vote.gov. Vermonters are choosing their next governor, with incumbent Republican Phil Scott on the ballot alongside Democratic, Green, and Independent candidates.

There is no U.S. Senate election in Vermont this year. However, every U.S. House seat in the state is on the ballot, along with state and local offices. The outcome of the national midterms will shape the composition of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on the president's performance, with voters concerned about high prices and the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Nationally, 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs. Thirteen of these races are considered battlegrounds by major analysts. In North Carolina, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper faces former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley in a special election following the retirement of Senator Thom Tillis. Ballotpedia notes that Trump won the state by 3.3 percentage points in 2024. The race is seen as critical for Democrats seeking to gain the four seats they need for a majority.

In Georgia, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is defending his seat against Republican Representative Mike Collins. The Associated Press reports that the state voted for Harris by 2.2 percentage points in 2024, making it a likely Democratic hold according to current ratings. In Ohio, Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown challenges Republican Senator Jon Husted in a special election. Trump won Ohio by 11.2 points in 2024, but the race remains a focal point for both parties.

Michigan presents an open seat after the retirement of Democratic Senator Gary Peters. Republican former Representative Mike Rogers faces Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in a contest that analysts rate as toss-up to lean Democratic. Trump won the state by just 1.4 points in 2024. In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, backed by President Trump, faces Democrat James Talarico. The state voted for Trump by 13.6 points in 2024, but the race is being watched closely due to the state's large population and political influence.

In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins faces Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The Associated Press notes that economic strain and tariffs have made the state competitive, with all four major trackers rating the race a toss-up. Harris won Maine by 6.9 points in 2024. In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas competes against former Republican Senator John E. Sununu for the seat vacated by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. The state voted for Harris by 2.8 points in 2024.

Minnesota features a four-way race for the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith. Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster, are among the candidates. In Kansas, a traditionally Republican state, the race has become central to the fight for Senate control. Republicans hold the seat, but analysts rate it toss-up to lean Republican. In Alaska, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result, adding a layer of legal complexity to the race between incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and his challengers.

The Associated Press reports that more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. A federal judge temporarily barred the administration from a plan intended to prevent noncitizen voting, a move critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Republicans are bracing for a potential loss in the House, while Democrats are cautiously optimistic about gaining control of the Senate.

In Vermont, the governor's race is a key component of the statewide vote. Phil Scott, who has served as governor since 2017, is running for re-election. The Associated Press notes that Republicans have held a majority of governorships since 2010, and Democrats are hoping to flip enough offices to take a nationwide majority for the first time in two decades. The result of the midterms will also influence the 2028 presidential cycle, with potential candidates including Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg gaining momentum if Democrats have a strong night.

As polls close at 7 p.m. in Vermont, voters in Burlington and across the state are deciding who will lead the state for the next two years. The national picture remains tight, with one or two seats potentially tipping either chamber in Congress. The Associated Press notes that if Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become more likely. The results of these ten key Senate races will ultimately determine the balance of power in Washington for the next two years.

Voters in other states are also heading to the polls or counting their mail-in ballots. In North Carolina, polls close at 7:30 p.m. local time. In Ohio, polls close at 7:30 p.m. local time. In Michigan, polls close at 8 p.m. local time. In Texas, polls close at 7 p.m. local time. The outcome of these races, combined with the House elections, will define the legislative landscape for the remainder of Trump's term. The Associated Press emphasizes that the American people are angry and want change, a sentiment echoed by Democratic leaders as they campaign for control of Congress.