Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas Announces Candidates for 2024 Primary Election

June 03 2024

Montpelier, VT –Today, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced the statewide and Federal candidates for the upcoming Primary election in August. Additionally, Secretary Copeland Hanzas makes a statement about the newly enacted statewide law regarding firearms in polling locations.

“The May 30^th candidate filing deadline is another milestone in Vermont’s very busy 2024 electoral calendar,” said Secretary Copeland Hanzas. “It’s inspiring to have all these folks step up to serve, and my office gets a front-row seat as candidates come to file their petitions and paperwork.”

The Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Voters will choose which candidates will represent their party in the November General Election. The following offices are up for election:

U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, Auditor of Accounts, Attorney General, all 30 State Senate Seats, all 150 State Representative seats, and High Bailiffs.

Independent candidates have until August 8^th to file for the November general election ballot. Statewide and Federal candidates that have qualified to run in the Primary Election are as follows:

A preliminary record of the Major Party Primary candidates can be found here, including State Senate, State Representative, and High Bailiff candidates.

The requirements for the number of signatures for a petition vary by office. For Federal and statewide offices, a prospective candidate must file 500 signatures, while a run for State Senate or County Office requires 100, and a State Representative candidate must gather 50. Vermont law requires candidates seeking office to file a candidate consent form.

Secretary Copeland Hanzas reminded voters of one key difference between the August Primary and the March Presidential Primary: This summer, voters will be given all three major party ballots – Republican, Democrat, and Progressive - and will choose which party primary to vote in. Voters must return the other two, unmarked ballots, and the voted ballot will be recorded.

“With the busyness of summer, the August Primary will come quickly. It’s good to start thinking about your voting plan,” said Copeland Hanzas. “Is your voter registration up to date? Do you plan to vote in person or request an absentee ballot? Where is your polling place? Voters can check on all of these items and more at their My Voter Page - mvp.vermont.gov - or check in with their town or city clerks.”

The Secretary also praised the hard work of all the Vermonters who help prepare for and run elections in the state. “Vermont’s town and city clerks do an amazing job administering elections and are a critical local resource for all voters as the Primary Election approaches,” said Copeland Hanzas. “Clerks and their staff, along with Local Boards of Civil Authority and all the volunteer poll workers and others that support local elections, make Vermont’s elections the envy of states across the country.”

Secretary Copeland Hanzas added comments about the newly enacted statewide law that prohibits firearms in polling locations. “Firearms are not allowed in other sensitive areas in our civic life. Our office supports extending that prohibition to polling locations,” said Copeland Hanzas. “Ultimately, we all play an important role to make sure that our elections run smoothly and securely. This is a big election year, and it’s crucial that every eligible Vermonter can make their voice heard.”

As part of their work to support clerks and local election officials, the Secretary noted that her office will be producing educational materials and posters before the Primary Election, including a poster related to the prohibition against firearms in polling places. In addition, they will provide de-escalation and security training for clerks and poll workers.

Voters may request absentee ballots through the My Voter Page at mvp.vermont.gov or by contacting their town or city clerk.

To find your town or city clerk, follow this link: https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/town-clerks/