In the six contested House races in Windham County on Tuesday, all the incumbents came out on top in their respective races, while Republicans picked up one of the two open seats in the county.
Turnout was heavy, and more than half the towns in the county opened the polls at 9 a.m. or earlier to accommodate voters. Townshend, Vernon and Wilmington opened their respective doors at 7 a.m.
Election officials in Whitingham, Halifax, Wilmington and Dover reported a steady stream of voters.
Wilmington Town Clerk Susan Haughwout described the turnout as “pretty typical."
Vernon set a town record, with 912 of the 1,637 registered voters casting ballots.
Halifax election official Laura Gerdes said officials were surprised to find people waiting outside when the polls opened at 10 a.m.
“I vote because it's my desire to be a good citizen,” said Halifax resident Robert Rogers.
“And, it cancels my wife's vote,” Rogers added with a smile.
“Marlboro is never afraid to send a qualified person to the state senate,” said Clarence Boston of Marlboro, a Democratic committee chair who was sticking Galbraith and Shumlin signs into the ground across from the polling place.
The most hotly contested race was in Windham-1, as Republican Michael Hebert of Vernon defeated Democrat Richard Davis of Guilford, 949-812, in a race to succeed Republican Patricia O'Donnell.
While Davis bested Hebert by a 638-289 margin in Guilford, a heavy turnout in Vernon gave Hebert a 720-174 victory.
“Not enough people voted in Guilford,” said Davis.
For Hebert, it was his first successful run for statewide office. “I feel like I'm coming in after a hall-of-famer,” said Hebert. “There's a lot I'm going to have to learn from Patty about representing this district.”
Hebert said there was little doubt in his mind what was the deciding issue in this race. “It was Vermont Yankee. It's an enormous issue, and this election was a referendum on VY.”
Democrat Valerie Stuart defeated Republican Richard Morton by a 1,132-498 margin in a battle of newcomers to take the Brattleboro District-1 seat previously held by Virginia “Gini” Milkey.
“I think people wanted someone more moderate, and that showed in the results,” said Stuart.
“I don't regret running,” said Morton. “I'm glad I could give people a choice.”
In Windham-4, Democratic Reps. Michael Obuchowski of Bellows Falls and Carolyn Partridge of Windham turned back a challenge from independent candidate Chris Moore to retain their seats. Obuchowski received 1,611 votes, Partridge got 1,263 votes and Moore received 1,009 votes.
Rep. Richard Marek (D-Newfane) easily defeated Republican newcomer Gaila Gulack to win his fifth term in Windham-6 by a 1,258-447 margin.
Rep. John Moran (D-Wardsboro) won a third term representing Windham-Bennington-1, defeating Republican newcomer Geralyn Sniatkowski of Dover by a 775-624 margin.
Rep. Oliver Olsen of Jamaica defeated Democratic challenger Claire Trask of Londonderry to win his first full term representing the Windham-Bennington-Windsor-1 district by a 974-539 margin. Olsen was appointed earlier this year to fill out the remainder of the term of Rick Hube, who died last December.
In other contested races on the ballot in Windham County, Sheriff Keith Clark of Westminster won his second term over Republican challenger William Manch of Vernon. Clark, serving with the Vermont Army National Guard in Afghanistan, was not able to campaign this year but is expected to return by the end of the year.
Incumbent Democrat Tracy Kelly Shriver of Brattleboro won her first full term as State's Attorney over independent Gwen Harris of Brattleboro. Shriver was appointed in 2007 to fill the remainder of the term of retired State's Attorney Dan Davis. For Harris, it was her fourth unsuccessful attempt at winning the office.
In the assistant judge race, incumbent Patricia Duff and newcomer Joseph Spano, both of Brattleboro, were the winners.
Expanding the vote
In a statewide referendum, voters approved a measure to amend the state constitution to allow 17-year-olds who turn 18 before the general election to vote in primary elections.
The measure, led by Windham County Sen. Jeanette White, was designed to get more younger voters involved in the electoral process. Ten other states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries, provided they turn 18 by the general election. Town clerks around the state had mixed opinions about the measure.
The amendment change, said White, will provide a framework for the Legislature to work with town clerks on the details of the age change before it takes effect in the 2012 election.
“I'm very excited,” said White. “This gets young voters involved with the democratic process while they're excited about it.”
VY by eminent domain?
Brattleboro voters approved a citizen proposal to begin a feasibility study to look at taking over the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant by eminent domain. The margin was 2,387 yes, 1,826 no.
The vote was held Tuesday after a Windham Superior Court decision ruled that the Brattleboro Selectboard improperly voted against including the measure in this year's Annual Town Meeting warrant, despite the petition having the required 5 percent of registered voter signatures.
Kurt Daims, who presented the original petition to the Selectboard earlier this year, has maintained that the eminent domain process is the only way to determine how much it will cost to decommission Vermont Yankee and that closing the plant is an issue that directly affects the town.