WASHINGTON — On November 5, Vermont will hold its general election, where residents will vote for a variety of federal and state positions, including the president, a U.S. senator, the governor, and members of the state Legislature.

On the ballot, voters will find Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump, alongside seven third-party candidates. Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is included, despite having suspended his campaign and subsequently endorsing Trump.

Earlier this year, Trump faced defeat in Vermont’s Republican presidential primary held in March, losing to Nikki Haley, who previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. This loss was one of only two primaries Trump did not win, the other being in the District of Columbia.

In the contest for the U.S. Senate, independent candidate Bernie Sanders will seek a fourth term. Sanders, who aligns with the Democrats, has a significant lead, having captured over 67% of the vote in the previous election in 2018. He faces five challengers, including Republican Gerald Malloy.

Vermont’s gubernatorial elections occur biennially, and the current governor, Phil Scott, a Republican who first took office in 2016, is contesting against Democrat Esther Charlestin and three other candidates for re-election. Should no candidate achieve over 50% of the votes, the state Legislature will step in to make the decision.

Historically, Vermont has leaned Democratic in presidential elections since 1992. Noteworthy winners include Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, both of whom secured over 60% of the votes in their respective campaigns, along with Vermont’s three electoral votes.

As of October, Vermont boasts over 505,000 registered voters, with no party affiliation required for registration.

In an effort to ease the voting process, absentee ballots are automatically sent to all registered voters. During the 2020 presidential election, a remarkable 280,455 absentee ballots were submitted, which accounted for 76% of all votes. This figure dipped slightly to 67% in the midterms in 2022.

Vermont comprises over 200 towns and municipalities. Similar to other New England states, it discloses its election results at the local level, which may prolong the counting process.

The election process is closely monitored, with winners being declared only when it’s clear no remaining candidates can overtake those leading in the vote count. Until then, the media will continue to report on significant developments, including candidate statements regarding concessions or victories.

Looking ahead to Vermont’s 2024 elections, here’s what to note:

**Election Day:** November 5.

**Poll Closing Time:** 7 p.m. ET.

**Presidential Electoral Votes:** 3 awarded based on statewide results.

**Key Races and Candidates:**

– **President:** Harris (D) vs. Trump (R) vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (We the People) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Cornel West (People’s Justice) and two others.

– **U.S. Senate:** Sanders (I) vs. Malloy (R) and four others.

– **Governor:** Scott (R) vs. Charlestin (D) and three others.

**Other Significant Races:** U.S. House, state Senate, state House, attorney general, auditor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and treasurer.

**Past Presidential Results:**

– **2020:** Biden (D) 66%, Trump (R) 31% — race called on November 3, 2020, at 7 p.m. ET.

**Voter Registration and Turnout:**

– Registered voters: 505,549 (as of Oct. 1, 2024).

– Voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election: 73% of registered voters.

**Pre-Election Day Voting Statistics:**

– Votes cast before Election Day in 2020: around 76% of total votes.

– Votes cast prior to Election Day in 2022: about 67% of total votes.

**Vote-Counting Timeline:**

– First votes reported on November 3, 2020: 7:24 p.m. ET.

– By midnight ET, approximately 94% of total ballots were reported.

This upcoming election is poised to attract significant attention as Vermont voters prepare to make their voices heard in a crucial year for the nation.