On March 27, 2019

Vermont ranks 11th in midterm election voter turnout

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos recently announced that Vermont has been ranked 11th in total voter turnout for the 2018 midterm election across all 50 states in the seventh biennial edition of the “America Goes to the Polls” report, released by the nonpartisan groups Nonprofit VOTE and the U.S. Elections Project this week.

“Voting is the bedrock of our democracy,” said Secretary Condos. “When we all vote we achieve fairer representation and better policy outcomes – your vote is your voice!”

The report found that the national voter turnout average was 50.3 percent, which is the highest recorded voter turnout for a midterm election since 1914. Vermont’s voter turnout was 55.9 percent..

The report included key findings that among states with the highest turnout, common factors include same-day voter registration (enacted 2017), automatic voter registration (2017), long voter registration periods, and strong vote by mail programs. All of these policies have been enacted in Vermont.

Vermont has shown continuous improvement over the years:

2018, 11th place

2016, 17th place

2014, 28th place

2012, 22nd place

“I’m proud of the many Vermonters who came out to the polls or who voted early in 2018, placing Vermont so high in the national ranking,” said Secretary Condos. “It’s clear our policies are working. I will keep pushing to tear down barriers for eligible voters. I want to increase voter access, encourage civic participation, and get our voter turnout numbers even higher. I hope that other states will do the same.”

Vermont’s election administration performance was ranked 1st in the country on the Election Performance Index after the 2016 General Election, completed by MIT’s Election Data and Science Lab.

Vermont also was ranked No. 11 nationally in the Electoral Integrity Project after the 2016 General Election.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Vermont’s adult loon population is at an all-time high, but fewer chicks are surviving

July 2, 2025
By Izzy Wagner/VTDigger Vermont’s adult loon population is at an all-time high, but scientists have noticed a recent decrease in the number of chicks surviving. In 2024, Vermont saw a record-breaking 123 nesting pairs, 11 of which landed at first-time nesting sites. Out of the 125 loon chicks that hatched in 2024, 65% survived through the…

Vermont State University graduates 414 nurses, boosting local health care workforce

July 2, 2025
Vermont State University (VTSU) has graduated 414 new nurses this year, marking a significant step forward in addressing the state’s ongoing health care workforce shortage. With approximately 92% of these graduates testing for licensure in Vermont and strong NCLEX pass rates, the university continues to deliver on its promise to educate and prepare nurses who…

VT Agency of Education announces summer food service program

July 2, 2025
The Agency of Education announced the availability of summer meal sites providing meals to all children, 18 and under, through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program ensures that children across the state have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer. Families are encouraged to access these meals to help support children’s growth, health,…

Sanders restores $17m for Vt schools canceled by Trump

July 2, 2025
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), ranking member of the Senate health, education, labor, and pensions (HELP) committee, June 27 announced that the U.S. Dept. of Education reversed its decision to cancel nearly $17 million in federal K-12 Covid-19 funding for Vermont school districts and some $2.5 billion for schools across the country. The administration’s announcement follows…