Vermont Secretary of State
General information
Office Type:	Partisan
Office website:	Official Link
Compensation:	$127,546
2025 FY Budget:	$27,938,898
Term limits:	None
Structure
Length of term:	2 years
Selection Method:	Elected
Current Officeholder(s)
Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas Democratic Party Assumed office: January 5, 2023
Elections
Next election:	2026
Last election:	2024
Other Vermont Executive Offices
Governor •Lieutenant Governor •Secretary of State •Attorney General •Treasurer •Auditor •Superintendent of Education •Agriculture Commissioner •Insurance Commissioner •Natural Resources Commissioner •Labor Commissioner •Public Service Board

TheSecretary of State for Vermont is a cabinet-level constitutional officer in the state ofVermont. Thesecretary is responsible for the filing and publication of administrative rules by all state agencies.

Vermont has a divided government where neither party holds atriplex. The Republican Party controls the office of governor, while the Democratic Party controls the offices of attorney general and secretary of state.

Current officeholder

The current Vermont Secretary of State isSarah Copeland Hanzas (D). Copeland Hanzas assumed office in 2023.

Authority

The Vermont Secretary of State's office is established in theVermont Constitution.Chapter 2, Section 43 describes the officers to be elected biennially.

Chapter 2, Section 43:

Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications for this office.

Elections

The secretary of state is elected every two years, on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November.

In Vermont, state executives are elected in even numbered years (e.g. 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026).

Election results

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2030

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2028

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on August 11, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State

IncumbentSarah Copeland Hanzas (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 11, 2026.

		Candidate
		Sarah Copeland Hanzas

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined.
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2024

General election

General election for Vermont Secretary of State

IncumbentSarah Copeland Hanzas (D) defeatedH. Brooke Paige (R) in the general election for Vermont Secretary of State on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D)	59.6	205,378
		H. Brooke Paige (R)	40.3	138,673
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	473

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 344,524
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State

IncumbentSarah Copeland Hanzas (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sarah Copeland Hanzas	99.3	43,182
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7%	294

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,476
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State

H. Brooke Paige (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		H. Brooke Paige	98.1	18,989
		Other/Write-in votes	1.9%	368

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,357
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2022

General election

General election for Vermont Secretary of State

Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D) defeatedH. Brooke Paige (R) in the general election for Vermont Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D)	65.0	179,087
		H. Brooke Paige (R)	34.7	95,666
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2%	626

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 275,379
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robert Millar (Vermont Progressive Party)

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State

Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D) defeatedChris Winters (D) andJohn Odum (D) in the Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sarah Copeland Hanzas	42.9	35,968
		Chris Winters	40.7	34,137
	Submit photo	John Odum	16.4	13,705

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 83,810
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Wyatt Pohlen (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State

H. Brooke Paige (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		H. Brooke Paige	96.6	21,591
		Other/Write-in votes	3.4%	752

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,343
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Vermont Progressive Party primary

Vermont Progressive primary for Vermont Secretary of State

Robert Millar (Vermont Progressive Party) advanced from the Vermont Progressive Party primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Robert Millar	91.6	480
		Other/Write-in votes	8.4%	44

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 524
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2020

General election

General election for Vermont Secretary of State

IncumbentJim Condos (D) defeatedH. Brooke Paige (R),Pamala Smith (Independent), andCris Ericson (Vermont Progressive Party) in the general election for Vermont Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Condos (D)	61.9	214,666
		H. Brooke Paige (R)	28.7	99,564
		Pamala Smith (Independent)	6.1	21,210
		Cris Ericson (Vermont Progressive Party)	3.2	11,171
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	309

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 346,920
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State

IncumbentJim Condos (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Condos	99.6	96,885
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4%	358

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,243
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State

H. Brooke Paige (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		H. Brooke Paige	96.7	40,765
		Other/Write-in votes	3.3%	1,370

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 42,135
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Vermont Progressive Party primary

Vermont Progressive primary for Vermont Secretary of State

Cris Ericson (Vermont Progressive Party) advanced from the Vermont Progressive Party primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cris Ericson	57.3	406
		Other/Write-in votes	42.7%	303

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 709
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2018

General election

General election for Vermont Secretary of State

IncumbentJim Condos (D) defeatedH. Brooke Paige (R) andMary Alice Hebert (Liberty Union Party) in the general election for Vermont Secretary of State on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Condos (D)	66.8	178,863
		H. Brooke Paige (R)	29.5	79,035
	Submit photo	Mary Alice Hebert (Liberty Union Party)	3.6	9,706
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0%	108

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 267,7120
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State

IncumbentJim Condos (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Condos	100.0	59,040

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 59,0400
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State

H. Brooke Paige (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont Secretary of State on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		H. Brooke Paige	100.0	18,293

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,2930
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Previous election results

2016

See also:Vermont Secretary of State election, 2016

The general election for secretary of state was held on November 8, 2016.

IncumbentJim Condos defeatedMary Alice Herbert in the Vermont secretary of state election.

Vermont Secretary of State, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim CondosIncumbent	89.57%	255,201
	Liberty Union Party	Mary Alice Herbert	10.43%	29,711
Total Votes				284,912
Source:Vermont Secretary of State

2014

See also:Vermont secretary of state election, 2014Democratic incumbentJim Condos won re-election on November 4, 2014.

Secretary of State of Vermont, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim CondosIncumbent	74.7%	126,427
	Progressive	Ben Eastwood	14.5%	24,518
	Liberty Union	Mary Alice Herbert	10.3%	17,460
	Nonpartisan	Write-in votes	0.4%	730
Total Votes				169,135
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State

2012

See also:Vermont secretary of state election, 2012

Vermont Secretary of State General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim CondosIncumbent	86.6%	225,801
	Liberty Union	Mary Alice Herbert	13.1%	34,105
	Independent	Write-in	0.3%	876
Total Votes				260,782
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State

2010

On November 2, 2010,Jim Condos won election to the office of Secretary of State of Vermont. He defeatedJason Gibbs (R) and Leslie Marmorale (Liberty Union) in the general election.

Secretary of State of Vermont, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim Condos	53.5%	122,599
	Republican	Jason Gibbs	44.1%	101,144
	Liberty Union	Leslie Marmorale	2.3%	5,315
	Write-In	Various	0.1%	222
Total Votes				229,280
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State.

2008

On November 4, 2008,Deb Markowitz won re-election to the office of Secretary of State of Vermont. She defeated Eugene J. Bifano (R),Marjorie Power (Progressive) and Leslie Marmorale (Liberty Union) in the general election.

Secretary of State of Vermont, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Deb MarkowitzIncumbent	70.9%	214,197
	Republican	Eugene J. Bifano	23.2%	70,114
	Progressive	Marjorie Power	4.6%	13,856
	Liberty Union	Leslie Marmorale	1.3%	3,871
	Write-In	Various	0.1%	185
Total Votes				302,223
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State.

2006

On November 7, 2006,Deb Markowitz won re-election to the office of Secretary of State of Vermont. She defeated Cheryl Moomey (R) andBoots Wardinski (Liberty Union) in the general election.

Secretary of State of Vermont, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Deb MarkowitzIncumbent	72.7%	184,914
	Republican	Cheryl Moomey	25.4%	64,508
	Liberty Union	Boots Wardinski	1.9%	4,827
	Write-In	Various	0.1%	144
Total Votes				254,393
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State.

2004

On November 2, 2004,Deb Markowitz won re-election to the office of Secretary of State of Vermont. She ran unopposed in the general election.

Secretary of State of Vermont, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic/Republican	Deb MarkowitzIncumbent	99.4%	270,744
	Write-In	Various	0.6%	1,737
Total Votes				272,481
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State.

2002

On November 5, 2002,Deborah Markowitz won re-election to the office of Secretary of State of Vermont. She defeated Mike Bertrand (R), Leslie Yvonne Scaffidi (Liberty Union) and Tina M. Thompson (Vermont Grassroots) in the general election.

Secretary of State of Vermont, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Deborah MarkowitzIncumbent	58.8%	131,469
	Republican	Mike Bertrand	37.1%	82,905
	Liberty Union	Leslie Yvonne Scaffidi	0.9%	1,968
	Vermont Grassroots	Tina M. Thompson	3.2%	7,166
	Write-In	Various	0.1%	113
Total Votes				223,621
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State.

2000

On November 7, 2000,Deb Markowitz won re-election to the office of Secretary of State of Vermont. She defeated Larry Drown (R) and Leslie Yvonne Scaffidi (Liberty Union) in the general election.

Secretary of State of Vermont, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Deb MarkowitzIncumbent	61.3%	170,403
	Republican	Larry Drown	36.6%	101,783
	Liberty Union	Leslie Yvonne Scaffidi	2%	5,650
	Write-In	Various	0.1%	319
Total Votes				278,155
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State.

Vacancies

Section 20 of theVermont Constitution, grants thegovernor the power to fill a vacancy in the office by appointment. The appointee shall serve until the next regularly scheduled election.

Duties

The office of the Secretary of State performs a number of important functions:^[1]

• Administers a records management program for Vermont public agencies
• Licenses, certifies, and registers certain occupations and professions
• Registers all business entities in the state
• Serves as the filing repository for Uniform Commercial Code filings
• Serves as the state's chief election officer

• Administers elections, oversees campaign finance reporting and lobbyist disclosure laws, and encourages civic participation through programs like Kids Voting Vermont and Honor a Vet with your Vote

• Provides local officials and members of the public with information, assistance, and educational materials related to municipal law and practice and the requirements of Vermont's open government laws
• Oversees the filing and publication of administrative rules by all state agencies
• Oversees all of the state's notaries public
• Manages a confidentiality program to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking avoid being tracked down by an abuser using state or local public records

Divisions

As of January 27, 2021, divisions within the secretary of state's office included:^[1]

• Corporations Division
• VSARA
• Elections Division
• Office of Professional Regulation
• Municipal Resources

State budget

See also:Vermont state budget and finances

The budget for the Office of the Secretary of State in Fiscal Year 2025 was $27,938,898.^[2]

Compensation

See also:Compensation of state executive officers

The secretary of state, along with the rest of Vermont's elected executives, is legally entitled to an annual salary in accordance with Title 32, Chapter 15 of theVermont Statutes (32 V.S.A. § 1003). Taking into account value adjustments, the statute contains real compensation figures for the previous and current year only.^[3]

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $127,546, according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[4]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $121,576, according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[5]

2021

In 2021, the secretary of state received a salary of $116,730, according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[6]

2020

In 2020, the secretary of state received a salary of $116,729 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[7]

2019

In 2019, the secretary of state received a salary of $113,042 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[8]

2018

In 2018, the secretary of state received a salary of $158,966 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[9]

2017

In 2017, the secretary of state received a salary of $105,290 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[10]

2016

In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $99,944 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[11]

2015

In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $98,280 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[12]

2014

In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $95,139 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[13]

2013

In 2013, the secretary was paid an estimated$95,139 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[14]

2012

In 2012, the secretary was paid an estimated$90,376 according to theCouncil of State Governments.

2010

In 2010, the secretary was paid an estimated$90,376 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[15]

Historical officeholders

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Vermont Secretary of State has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsVermont Secretary of State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact information

Vermont Secretary of State's Office
128 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-1101
Phone: (802) 828-2148

See also

Vermont	State Executive Elections	News and Analysis
Vermont State Executive OfficesVermont State LegislatureVermont Courts	2026 •2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016Vermont elections:2026 •2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016	Party control of state governmentState government trifectasState of the state addressesPartisan composition of governors

External links

Suggest a link

• Vermont Secretary of State

Footnotes

	v • e State ofVermont Montpelier (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy