By Dottye Ricks
Keep your voice in the voting process by casting your ballot in the Vermont primaries on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. If you have concerns about taxes, education, housing, and the job market – YOU NEED TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARIES!
The main purpose of the primary election is to select your party’s most viable candidates for the 2026 General Election whether they are Democratic, Progressive, or Republican.
By voting in the primaries, you get a say in picking candidates who best reflect your concerns on issues such as taxes, education, housing, and the job market.
In the 2024 primary election, just 15.26 percent of the electorate voted – which means that in 2024, just 15.26 percent of the electorate decided who would run in the general election. Don’t let someone else choose for you! Voice your choice! Vote in the primaries!
On the other hand, if you vote in the primaries, and fewer people vote, your vote has a bigger impact on who is elected to run in the general election.
By voting in the primaries, you influence the direction of your party. You shape which ideas, priorities, and leadership will move forward.
Remember that when you vote in the primaries, you’ll get a ballot for each party – Democratic, Republican and Progressive – but you can ONLY vote for candidates on one of them. You will be able to cast ballots for Vermont’s US House seat and for statewide offices including governor, lieutenant governor, House and Senate candidates, and county-wide officials. At this point, it is too late to mail in your ballot. You can hand-deliver it to your Town Clerk, put it in a drop box, or take it to the polls on Election Day.
If you have questions about the primaries or the general election go to VOTE411.org created and maintained by the League of Women Voters. It is a one-stop shop for election-related information.
The League of Women Voters of Vermont encourages everyone to vote in the primaries. Make sure you are registered and ready to vote! Then get out and vote. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD – VOTE THE PRIMARY!