Politics of Vermont
Year Republican Democratic
2016 30.27% 95,369 55.72% 178,573
2012 30.97% 92,698 66.57% 199,239
2008 30.45% 98,974 67.46% 219,262
2004 38.80% 121,180 58.94% 184,067
2000 40.70% 119,775 50.63% 149,022
1996 31.09% 80,352 53.35% 137,894
1992 30.42% 88,122 46.11% 133,592
1988 51.10% 124,331 47.58% 115,775
1984 57.92% 135,865 40.81% 95,730
1980 44.37% 94,628 38.41% 81,952
1976 54.34% 102,085 43.14% 81,004
1972 62.66% 117,149 36.47% 68,174
1968 52.75% 85,142 43.53% 70,255
1964 33.69% 54,942 66.30% 108,127
1960 58.65% 98,131 41.35% 69,186
1956 72.16% 110,390 27.81% 42,549
1952 71.45% 109,717 28.23% 43,355
1948 61.54% 75,926 36.92% 45,557
1944 57.06% 71,527 42.93% 53,820
1940 54.78% 78,371 44.92% 64,269
Legislation by statute -- Federal elections
The politics of Vermont encompass the acts of the elected legislative bodies of the US state, the actions of its governors, as overseen by the Vermont courts, and the acts of the political parties that vie for elective power within the state. Vermont's constitution, which was drafted in 1777 when Vermont became an independent republic, reflects the concerns of a sovereign state; it was the first to ban slavery. Voters may choose among several parties including the Democratic and Republican political parties, as well as several smaller parties. Vermont has been a pioneer in legislation pertaining to land use, gay rights and school funding. Between 1854 and 1962, the state usually voted Republican. Thereafter, the governor's office has alternated between the Democratic and Republican parties. The legislature has been primarily Democratic since the mid-1980s. As of 2018, Vermont was the only U.S. state that had not sent a female representative to Congress.