What is a primary?
The august 11th primary is the most important election most people skip…but Not this year!
This is your guide to everything you need to show up, vote, and bring your neighbors with you.
What is the Primary — and why does it matter?
In 2026, Winooski residents will vote in two elections: the Vermont Primary on August 11 and the General Election on November 3. The primary is how each political party selects its nominees, the candidates who will be on the ballot in November.
In many races, including this one, the primary is the election. Winooski is a progressive community, and the Democratic primary winner is very likely to be our next State Representative. That means August 11th is the day your vote matters most.
Vermont has an open primary: you can request any party's ballot on August 11th regardless of your voter registration. You don't need to be registered as a Democrat to vote in the Democratic primary. Same-day party changes are also allowed at the polls.
