Q&A: 2026 Candidates for Vermont Secretary of State

The Secretary of State’s Office manages trademarks, professional licensing and regulation of business services. It also oversees Vermont elections.

Sarah Copeland Hanzas

Bradford, Democrat, sarahforvermont.com

Secretary of state since 2023; 18-year member of the Vermont House.

What’s the biggest threat to election integrity in Vermont, and how would you address it?

The people and processes governing our elections are our greatest strength. The 247 town and city clerks follow carefully prescribed steps to ensure our elections are free, fair, accessible and secure. The biggest threat to election integrity is creating unnecessary barriers to an eligible Vermonter’s right to vote.

Does the system for policing Vermont’s licensed professionals need to be changed or improved?

The Office of Professional Regulation licenses 50-plus different professions, with regulations designed to be the lightest touch of regulation necessary to protect the public. Of all the professions, residential contractors is where we hear the most frustration. Our homes are our greatest investment, and we need better tools to remove unscrupulous actors from the market.

H. Brooke Paige

Washington, Republican, facebook.com/brooke.paige.395

Retired sales and marketing CEO; currently serving as justice of the peace and Board of Civil Authority member

What’s the biggest threat to election integrity in Vermont, and how would you address it?

The secretary of state has increasingly taken control of our elections away from local election officials that Vermont’s constitution specifically assigns to them. Universal Vote-by-Mail, vote harvesting, extending Election Day to “Election Season” all have lessened the confidence of voters in the process. I would return our elections to the secure constitutional model.

Does the system for policing Vermont’s licensed professionals need to be changed or improved?

Streamlining Business Services and the Office of Professional Regulation would make them more helpful (and less of a hindrance) to those entities served. Skilled professions overseen by departments with expertise and knowledge in the talents being “policed” would improve the process, especially for citizens relying on the oversight.