VAST
Direction
By VAST Executive Director Cindy Locke
– ELECTION YEAR –

WHY YOUR VOTE 
COUNTS!
Understanding who you are voting 
for in the Vermont General Assembly 
is not just a civic duty, it is one of the 
most powerful ways Vermonters can 
shape the future of our state. With 
decisions affecting taxes, land use, 
environmental policies, and outdoor 
access, your vote directly influences 
policies that touch everyday life.
The Vermont legislature is 
relatively small. There are only 150 
representatives and 30 senators that 
meet in Montpelier. That means 
individual lawmakers have significant 
influence. A single vote can shape 
major outcomes on spending, 
landowner rights or conservation 
policy.
However, many voters focus only on 
party labels or campaign messaging. 
That’s a mistake, and what truly 
matters is how legislators actually vote 
once in office.

1. Government spending and taxes
State budgets determine:
• Property tax levels
• School funding
• Infrastructure and climate programs
• Healthcare structural program and 
state controls
Recent elections in Vermont 
have shown that rising costs and 
affordability concerns are major voter 
issues, with candidates campaigning 
on limiting spending. 
If you care about fiscal restraint, you 
should:
• Look at votes on state budgets
• Examine positions on new programs 
or mandates
• Watch for patterns of approving large 
spending packages
• Watch for increased tax burdens
2. Landowner protections
Vermont has a strong tradition of 
private land stewardship, but we also 
have increasing regulation.
Legislators make decisions about:
• Zoning and land-use rules
• Environmental restrictions
• Property rights vs. public access
These votes can determine whether 
landowners have flexibility or face 
tighter controls. Like what happened 
in 2024 with Bill H.687, which became 
law as ACT 181.
 
3. Outdoor recreation and 
conservation
Outdoor recreation is central to 
Vermont’s identity and economy:
• Hunting, fishing, hiking, 
snowmobiling and other trail-based 
uses
• Trail access and conservation 
funding
• Wildlife and forest management
Many bills should involve balancing:
• Environmental protection
• Public access
• Private land rights
Your representatives’ voting records 
reveal where they stand on that 
balance.
How to find voting records:
1. Official legislative website
• Search Vermont Legislature
• Search for the bill number like H.687 
from 2024. Then look at Status to find 
all records, including votes, especially 
roll call votes
• Search by legislator name
• Track committee activity
• House roll call votes
• Senate roll call votes
These show exactly how each 
lawmaker voted on individual bills 
going back many years
2. Public records law
Vermont has strong transparency rules. 
Under the state’s public records law:
• Government records must generally 
be available upon request
• Access is broadly interpreted in favor 
of the public 
That means you can request additional 
information if something isn’t easy to 
find online.
Campaigns are about persuasion. 
Voting records are about accountability.
• A candidate may claim to support 
landowners, but vote for stricter 
regulations
• Another may promise fiscal 
discipline yet consistently approve 
large spending bills
• Some may promote outdoor access, 
but oppose funding for trails or 
conservation
When reviewing a candidate, don’t just 
look at one vote.
• Do they consistently support higher 
or lower spending?
• Are they aligned with landowners or 
regulators?
• Do they favor conservation, access, 
or restrictions?
Search for votes on:
• State budgets
• Land-use legislation
• Fish, wildlife, and recreation policies
Voting without researching candidates 
is like signing a contract without 
reading it.
In a state like Vermont, where the 
legislature is small and decisions are 
highly impactful, your responsibility as 
a voter goes beyond showing up at the 
polls. It means:
• Knowing who represents you
• Understanding how they’ve voted
• Deciding whether their actions align 
with your priorities
On issues like spending, landowner 
protections, and outdoor recreation, 
those decisions shape not just policy, 
but the character of Vermont itself.
Best Regards, 

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