Republican Party primaries in Vermont, 2018
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Nov. 6
- Early voting: Sept. 21 - Nov. 5
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 5
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: Yes
- Voter ID: No
- Poll times: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.[2]
Primary elections—in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should run on the party's ticket in the general election—can reflect internal conflict over the direction of a party.
Heading into the 2018 election, the Republican Party's legislative record during Donald Trump’s presidency figured into several Republican primaries. This record included the passage of major tax legislation in December 2017 and the confirmation of federal judges. It also included a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill in March 2018, which Trump opposed, and unsuccessful efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.[3][4]
Trump, himself, also played a role in Republican primaries. His approval rating reached 90% in June among self-described Republicans, according to a Gallup survey.[5] Many Republican candidates campaigned on their support for Trump, and negative ads accusing opponents of criticizing the president were common.[6][7][8] A May report found Trump's name or image had appeared in 37% of all Republican campaign ads at that point in 2018.[9]
This page focuses on the Republican primaries that took place in Vermont on August 14, 2018. In addition, the page provides context for understanding the state party apparatus.
Federal elections
U.S. Senate
U.S. House
State elections
Vermont Party Control: 1992-2024
Ten years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Senate | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Gubernatorial election
Lieutenant gubernatorial election
Attorney general election
Secretary of state election
State party overview
- See also: Republican Party of Vermont
State political party revenue
The Democratic Party and the Republican Party maintain state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and select U.S. territories. The following maps display total state political party revenue per capita for the Democratic and Republican state party affiliates from 2011 to 2016. The blue map displays Democratic state parties and the red map displays Republican state parties. Click on a state below to view the state party's revenue per capita totals:
Total Democratic and Republican state political party revenue per capita in the United States, 2011-2016
Primary election scheduling
Vermont was one of four states to hold a primary election on August 14, 2018.
Voter information
How the primary works
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Vermont utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[10][11][12][13]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Poll times
In Vermont, all polls must open by 10 a.m. All polls close at 7 p.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[14]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
A United States citizen and state resident who is at least 18 years of age may register to vote in Vermont. The registrant must take the "Voter's Oath," which is included on the voter registration form.[15][16]
According to the secretary of state's website, "Beginning January 1, 2017, eligible persons may register to vote on any day up to and including the day of the election. Registration is available during all normal business hours of your town or city clerk's office on days preceding the election and during polling hours on Election Day. "[15]
Automatic registration
Vermont automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles.[16]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Vermont has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Vermont allows same-day voter registration.[15]
Residency requirements
To register to vote in Vermont, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.
Verification of citizenship
Vermont does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.
Verifying your registration
The My Voter Page, run by the Vermont Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Vermont does not require voters to present identification while voting in most cases. However, first-time voters who registered by mail are required to present identification at the polls.[17]
The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Vermont Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
- Valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
- Current utility bill
- Current bank statement
- Another government document containing your residential address
Early voting
Vermont permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.
Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.
As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.[18]
Absentee voting
For general elections, Vermont holds what are commonly referred to as all-mail elections, meaning that voting is conducting primarily, although not necessarily exclusively, by mail. Election officials automatically distribute mail-in ballots to eligible electors in general elections. For primary elections, voters who wish to vote by mail must request a mail-in ballot.
Pivot Counties
- See also: Pivot Counties by state
One of 14 Vermont counties—7.14 percent—is a Pivot County. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
| Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County | Trump margin of victory in 2016 | Obama margin of victory in 2012 | Obama margin of victory in 2008 | ||||
| Essex County, Vermont | 16.65% | 13.40% | 14.48% | ||||
In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Vermont with 56.7 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 30.3 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Vermont cast votes for the winning presidential candidate 60.0 percent of the time. In that same time frame, Vermont supported Republican candidates for president more often than Democratic candidates, 70.0 to 26.7 percent. The state, however, favored Democrats in every election between between 2000 and 2016.
Presidential results by legislative district
The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Vermont. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[19][20]
| In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won all 104 state House districts in Vermont with an average margin of victory of 35.6 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 92 out of 104 state House districts in Vermont with an average margin of victory of 29.4 points. Clinton won 27 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections. |
| In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 12 out of 104 state House districts in Vermont with an average margin of victory of 6.1 points. |
| 2016 presidential results by state House district | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Obama | Romney | 2012 Margin | Clinton | Trump | 2016 Margin | Party Control |
| Addison 1 | 78.61% | 19.72% | D+58.9 | 73.14% | 16.23% | D+56.9 | D |
| Addison 2 | 69.22% | 28.79% | D+40.4 | 58.77% | 28.57% | D+30.2 | D |
| Addison 3 | 63.92% | 34.30% | D+29.6 | 53.35% | 32.58% | D+20.8 | R |
| Addison 4 | 69.91% | 27.92% | D+42 | 57.20% | 28.08% | D+29.1 | D |
| Addison 5 | 64.54% | 33.66% | D+30.9 | 57.67% | 30.54% | D+27.1 | R |
| Addison-Rutland | 61.79% | 36.36% | D+25.4 | 46.78% | 39.69% | D+7.1 | I |
| Bennington 1 | 66.69% | 31.49% | D+35.2 | 47.37% | 41.39% | D+6 | D |
| Bennington 2-1 | 71.88% | 26.56% | D+45.3 | 57.91% | 31.85% | D+26.1 | D |
| Bennington 2-2 | 69.19% | 28.56% | D+40.6 | 53.61% | 32.86% | D+20.7 | R |
| Bennington 3 | 63.18% | 35.60% | D+27.6 | 52.48% | 36.34% | D+16.1 | D |
| Bennington 4 | 61.34% | 37.14% | D+24.2 | 56.86% | 32.22% | D+24.6 | D |
| Bennington-Rutland | 63.86% | 34.30% | D+29.6 | 56.40% | 32.71% | D+23.7 | D |
| Caledonia 1 | 58.29% | 40.09% | D+18.2 | 46.08% | 41.83% | D+4.3 | R |
| Caledonia 2 | 67.98% | 29.45% | D+38.5 | 47.87% | 34.64% | D+13.2 | D |
| Caledonia 3 | 61.29% | 37.03% | D+24.3 | 48.80% | 36.88% | D+11.9 | R |
| Caledonia 4 | 57.24% | 40.87% | D+16.4 | 41.56% | 43.46% | R+1.9 | R |
| Caledonia-Washington | 63.67% | 34.67% | D+29 | 51.67% | 33.37% | D+18.3 | D |
| Chittenden 01 | 71.48% | 26.98% | D+44.5 | 67.12% | 20.40% | D+46.7 | D |
| Chittenden 02 | 65.22% | 33.25% | D+32 | 62.62% | 26.44% | D+36.2 | D |
| Chittenden 03 | 65.97% | 32.64% | D+33.3 | 61.54% | 26.36% | D+35.2 | D |
| Chittenden 04-1 | 70.22% | 27.37% | D+42.9 | 70.03% | 19.98% | D+50.1 | D |
| Chittenden 04-2 | 71.92% | 27.00% | D+44.9 | 64.69% | 23.40% | D+41.3 | D |
| Chittenden 05-1 | 71.39% | 27.56% | D+43.8 | 73.69% | 16.99% | D+56.7 | D |
| Chittenden 05-2 | 64.48% | 34.72% | D+29.8 | 65.74% | 24.00% | D+41.7 | D |
| Chittenden 06-1 | 73.33% | 25.00% | D+48.3 | 68.18% | 19.28% | D+48.9 | R |
| Chittenden 06-2 | 81.29% | 16.20% | D+65.1 | 74.14% | 12.15% | D+62 | D |
| Chittenden 06-3 | 87.46% | 8.13% | D+79.3 | 77.48% | 7.09% | D+70.4 | D |
| Chittenden 06-4 | 87.35% | 9.85% | D+77.5 | 84.08% | 6.22% | D+77.9 | D |
| Chittenden 06-5 | 84.04% | 13.57% | D+70.5 | 79.70% | 9.35% | D+70.4 | D |
| Chittenden 06-6 | 86.38% | 11.06% | D+75.3 | 83.38% | 6.61% | D+76.8 | D |
| Chittenden 06-7 | 76.38% | 21.25% | D+55.1 | 68.99% | 16.97% | D+52 | D |
| Chittenden 07-1 | 69.24% | 29.29% | D+40 | 73.55% | 16.77% | D+56.8 | D |
| Chittenden 07-2 | 66.05% | 32.68% | D+33.4 | 68.91% | 21.77% | D+47.1 | D |
| Chittenden 07-3 | 74.70% | 23.84% | D+50.9 | 72.55% | 16.95% | D+55.6 | D |
| Chittenden 07-4 | 67.67% | 30.40% | D+37.3 | 63.27% | 23.67% | D+39.6 | D |
| Chittenden 08-1 | 63.84% | 34.92% | D+28.9 | 60.06% | 26.88% | D+33.2 | R |
| Chittenden 08-2 | 64.48% | 34.53% | D+30 | 60.42% | 26.30% | D+34.1 | D |
| Chittenden 08-3 | 63.28% | 35.33% | D+28 | 57.69% | 29.72% | D+28 | R |
| Chittenden 09-1 | 65.51% | 32.53% | D+33 | 58.56% | 29.99% | D+28.6 | D |
| Chittenden 09-2 | 61.62% | 36.83% | D+24.8 | 57.15% | 32.15% | D+25 | R |
| Chittenden 10 | 56.34% | 42.05% | D+14.3 | 44.86% | 41.02% | D+3.8 | R |
| Essex-Caledonia | 55.85% | 41.74% | D+14.1 | 33.67% | 51.19% | R+17.5 | R |
| Essex-Caledonia-Orleans | 56.71% | 40.90% | D+15.8 | 40.48% | 46.69% | R+6.2 | R |
| Franklin 1 | 56.33% | 42.11% | D+14.2 | 42.51% | 42.68% | R+0.2 | R |
| Franklin 2 | 59.89% | 38.80% | D+21.1 | 44.95% | 40.04% | D+4.9 | I |
| Franklin 3-1 | 63.98% | 33.78% | D+30.2 | 49.74% | 34.04% | D+15.7 | D |
| Franklin 3-2 | 57.29% | 41.61% | D+15.7 | 45.35% | 41.77% | D+3.6 | R |
| Franklin 4 | 60.36% | 38.33% | D+22 | 40.34% | 45.02% | R+4.7 | R |
| Franklin 5 | 58.72% | 40.18% | D+18.5 | 35.83% | 49.01% | R+13.2 | R |
| Franklin 6 | 65.67% | 32.98% | D+32.7 | 49.96% | 35.10% | D+14.9 | D |
| Franklin 7 | 66.65% | 31.58% | D+35.1 | 43.39% | 35.62% | D+7.8 | D |
| Grand Isle-Chittenden | 60.99% | 37.41% | D+23.6 | 49.75% | 37.02% | D+12.7 | D |
| Lamoille 1 | 68.19% | 30.22% | D+38 | 69.48% | 19.68% | D+49.8 | R |
| Lamoille 2 | 70.83% | 27.53% | D+43.3 | 50.64% | 32.32% | D+18.3 | D |
| Lamoille 3 | 70.65% | 27.54% | D+43.1 | 53.32% | 28.92% | D+24.4 | R |
| Lamoille-Washington | 71.51% | 26.57% | D+44.9 | 58.00% | 26.53% | D+31.5 | R |
| Orange 1 | 58.31% | 39.63% | D+18.7 | 42.42% | 42.15% | D+0.3 | R |
| Orange 2 | 64.98% | 32.84% | D+32.1 | 55.12% | 31.81% | D+23.3 | D |
| Orange-Caledonia | 57.42% | 40.35% | D+17.1 | 43.05% | 42.95% | D+0.1 | D |
| Orange-Washington-Addison | 66.89% | 30.66% | D+36.2 | 50.86% | 32.34% | D+18.5 | D |
| Orleans 1 | 57.58% | 41.05% | D+16.5 | 38.00% | 48.39% | R+10.4 | R |
| Orleans 2 | 60.04% | 38.38% | D+21.7 | 41.10% | 44.70% | R+3.6 | R |
| Orleans-Caledonia | 66.04% | 31.37% | D+34.7 | 50.36% | 34.64% | D+15.7 | R |
| Orleans-Lamoille | 62.90% | 35.29% | D+27.6 | 38.19% | 45.72% | R+7.5 | R |
| Rutland 1 | 62.40% | 35.58% | D+26.8 | 44.77% | 41.69% | D+3.1 | R |
| Rutland 2 | 58.07% | 40.32% | D+17.8 | 41.79% | 46.66% | R+4.9 | R |
| Rutland 3 | 59.35% | 38.86% | D+20.5 | 43.82% | 44.95% | R+1.1 | R |
| Rutland 4 | 53.35% | 45.33% | D+8 | 46.30% | 42.60% | D+3.7 | R |
| Rutland 5-1 | 58.72% | 39.96% | D+18.8 | 51.76% | 37.64% | D+14.1 | R |
| Rutland 5-2 | 62.58% | 35.99% | D+26.6 | 49.43% | 38.20% | D+11.2 | R |
| Rutland 5-3 | 65.98% | 32.04% | D+33.9 | 43.64% | 41.41% | D+2.2 | D |
| Rutland 5-4 | 65.35% | 33.01% | D+32.3 | 50.18% | 37.74% | D+12.4 | R |
| Rutland 6 | 64.46% | 34.08% | D+30.4 | 47.22% | 40.73% | D+6.5 | R |
| Rutland-Bennington | 59.97% | 37.76% | D+22.2 | 46.55% | 42.55% | D+4 | D |
| Rutland-Windsor 1 | 58.43% | 39.88% | D+18.6 | 50.19% | 37.79% | D+12.4 | R |
| Rutland-Windsor 2 | 59.10% | 39.25% | D+19.9 | 47.71% | 39.64% | D+8.1 | R |
| Washington 1 | 64.81% | 33.13% | D+31.7 | 50.56% | 33.17% | D+17.4 | R |
| Washington 2 | 54.50% | 44.43% | D+10.1 | 42.23% | 44.67% | R+2.4 | R |
| Washington 3 | 63.64% | 34.27% | D+29.4 | 51.40% | 33.92% | D+17.5 | I |
| Washington 4 | 82.35% | 15.60% | D+66.8 | 77.51% | 10.31% | D+67.2 | D |
| Washington 5 | 74.14% | 24.03% | D+50.1 | 64.35% | 21.46% | D+42.9 | D |
| Washington 6 | 73.13% | 23.75% | D+49.4 | 59.73% | 23.75% | D+36 | D |
| Washington 7 | 73.96% | 23.97% | D+50 | 65.84% | 19.63% | D+46.2 | D |
| Washington-Chittenden | 74.03% | 23.77% | D+50.3 | 65.01% | 20.78% | D+44.2 | D |
| Windham 1 | 64.09% | 34.24% | D+29.9 | 52.95% | 33.23% | D+19.7 | R |
| Windham 2-1 | 77.60% | 21.22% | D+56.4 | 69.48% | 19.88% | D+49.6 | D |
| Windham 2-2 | 84.66% | 13.55% | D+71.1 | 73.22% | 11.57% | D+61.6 | D |
| Windham 2-3 | 84.57% | 13.33% | D+71.2 | 77.37% | 11.26% | D+66.1 | D |
| Windham 3 | 71.91% | 26.16% | D+45.8 | 58.54% | 28.08% | D+30.5 | D |
| Windham 4 | 79.09% | 18.96% | D+60.1 | 69.84% | 18.14% | D+51.7 | D |
| Windham 5 | 76.77% | 21.43% | D+55.3 | 66.52% | 21.03% | D+45.5 | D |
| Windham 6 | 64.99% | 33.73% | D+31.3 | 50.77% | 37.85% | D+12.9 | D |
| Windham-Bennington | 60.08% | 37.35% | D+22.7 | 47.76% | 41.47% | D+6.3 | I |
| Windham-Bennington-Windsor | 63.24% | 35.05% | D+28.2 | 58.08% | 29.82% | D+28.3 | I |
| Windsor 1 | 70.41% | 28.28% | D+42.1 | 59.89% | 27.58% | D+32.3 | D |
| Windsor 2 | 61.49% | 36.79% | D+24.7 | 46.44% | 40.17% | D+6.3 | D |
| Windsor 3-1 | 63.59% | 34.21% | D+29.4 | 51.81% | 35.44% | D+16.4 | D |
| Windsor 3-2 | 62.37% | 35.67% | D+26.7 | 47.36% | 37.98% | D+9.4 | D |
| Windsor 4-1 | 65.70% | 32.94% | D+32.8 | 61.36% | 27.51% | D+33.8 | D |
| Windsor 4-2 | 71.62% | 27.38% | D+44.2 | 62.89% | 24.29% | D+38.6 | D |
| Windsor 5 | 69.64% | 28.75% | D+40.9 | 66.24% | 23.26% | D+43 | D |
| Windsor-Orange 1 | 67.92% | 29.45% | D+38.5 | 51.86% | 32.10% | D+19.8 | R |
| Windsor-Orange 2 | 80.33% | 18.08% | D+62.3 | 74.90% | 15.46% | D+59.4 | D |
| Windsor-Rutland | 66.94% | 31.26% | D+35.7 | 55.30% | 30.30% | D+25 | D |
| Total | 67.03% | 31.19% | D+35.8 | 56.68% | 30.27% | D+26.4 | - |
| Source: Daily Kos | |||||||
See also
| Federal primaries in Vermont | State primaries in Vermont | Vermont state party apparatus | Vermont voter information |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Polls may have opened earlier than 10:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. was the latest poll opening time.
- ↑ Polls may have opened earlier than 10:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. was the latest poll opening time.
- ↑ ‘’National Review’’, “Trump Is Not Blameless in the Spending-Bill Disaster,” March 28, 2018
- ↑ The New York Times, "A New Guide to the Republican Herd," August 26, 2012
- ↑ Gallup, "Trump Job Approval Slips Back to 41%," June 25, 2018
- ↑ Daily Commercial, "Trump hurdle looms large in Florida GOP governor primary," July 30, 2018
- ↑ Daily Commercial, "These 2018 Primaries Are Worth Watching," July 25, 2018
- ↑ Washington Post, "Republican primary candidates have one goal: Securing Trump’s endorsement or denying it to an opponent," July 25, 2018
- ↑ USA Today, "Donald Trump once divided Republicans; ads for midterms signal that's no longer true," May 17, 2018
- ↑ NCSL,"State Primary Election Types," accessed October 25, 2019
- ↑ FairVote,"Primaries," accessed October 25, 2019
- ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State,"Party Organization," accessed October 25, 2019
- ↑ Vermont State Legislature, “17 V.S.A. § 2561,” accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Vermont Secretary of State, "Voter Registration," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Vermont Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "Election Day FAQs," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ On February 23, 2024, Delaware Superior Court judge Mark Conner ruled that early voting was unconstitutional in the state, saying that the laws were "inconsistent with our constitution and therefore cannot stand." On February 29, lawmakers introduced legislation, SB3, to restore in-person early voting. On February 27, Attorney General Kathy Jennings (D) announced that she would appeal the decision to the Delaware Supreme Court and said, "We will file our appeal quickly and intend to request a decision from the Delaware Supreme Court so that voters have final clarity in time for the September primaries." The Delaware Supreme Court heard arguments in the appeal in June and was expected to issue a decision before the scheduled early voting period for the 2024 general election.
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
