Vermont Towns Report High Absentee Ballot Counts

Local clerks and candidates describe a steady Election Day turnout across several Caledonia County towns.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single wooden ballot box on a grass field beneath low green hills and a pale sky. — Absentee ballot returns reached 800 in Hardwick and 280 in Greensboro before polls opened Tuesday, as Vermont towns reported steady early turnout. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Polls opened at 7 a.m. in Hardwick, where Town Clerk Tonia Chase reported 800 absentee ballots returned for the general election and 80 for a highway garage bond measure. In Greensboro, 280 absentee ballots were received before polls opened, and fewer than 10 voters cast ballots between 10 and 11 a.m.

Why it matters

Early absentee returns and a slow morning in some polling places shape how turnout is distributed across towns on Election Day. Candidates in the region reported confidence and sustained door-to-door outreach as voting continued across the state.

Hardwick Town Clerk Tonia Chase reported 800 absentee ballots for the general election and 80 for the highway garage bond measure. Final turnout and results for either contest were not available at the time of reporting.

The players

Scott Beck

Vermont state senator for Caledonia County who said he is confident about his re-election chances and that Democratic support for his candidacy has been overwhelming.

Audrey Grant

Candidate for the Caledonia-2 Vermont House seat who relied on candidate forums and door knocking to connect with residents.

The details

Overnight absentee ballots were deposited in the Hardwick Memorial Building drop box before polls opened. In Greensboro, Roy MacNeil became the 367th voter by mid-afternoon, while Audrey Grant, running for the Caledonia-2 Vermont House seat, knocked on 400 doors, 100 of them in the final week.

November 3, 2026, 7 a.m.: Hardwick polls open on Election Day.
November 3, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m.: Fewer than 10 voters cast ballots in Greensboro.
November 3, 2026, mid-afternoon: Roy MacNeil becomes the 367th Greensboro voter.

Seasonal Patterns

The high share of absentee ballots reported in Hardwick and Greensboro reflects Vermont's no-excuse absentee voting framework, which has made mail ballots a routine option for general elections. Early returns of this kind help clerks process volume before polls open on Election Day.

Voters who requested absentee ballots had to return them before polls closed to be counted. Residents who have not yet voted should check their town clerk's office for hours and any remaining options.

The takeaway

Early absentee returns and polling-place turnout together give a clearer picture of how Vermont voters are participating in this election. Readers can follow results as town clerks finalize counts.