The 2010 Vermont gubernatorial general election took place on November 2.[1] Vermont and New Hampshire are the only two states where the governor serves a two-year term instead of four.[2] Primary elections took place on August 24.[1]
The result was a 119,543 (49.5 percent) to 115,212 (47.7 percent) plurality for Shumlin.[1] Several minor candidates got between 600 and 2,000 votes each.[1] In accordance with the Vermont Constitution, if no candidate receives a majority, the contest is decided by the Vermont General Assembly.[4] In such races, the combined Vermont House and Senate almost always chooses the candidate who won a plurality.[4] Dubie indicated on November 3 that he did not intend to ask for a recount or contest the election in the legislature, and conceded to Shumlin.[5] On January 6, 2011, with 173 of 180 members voting, 87 votes were necessary for a choice.[6] The General Assembly elected Shumlin on the first ballot, 145–28.[6]
Peter Shumlin won the Democratic primary according to the uncertified tabulation of statewide votes released by the Office of the Secretary of State on August 27, 2010, by 197 votes over Doug Racine, who requested a recount.[12] The recount began September 8.[13] Racine conceded on September 10.[14]
Martha Abbott, state party chair; Abbott won the primary, then withdrew from the election, so the party did not have a candidate on the ballot.[16] The Party had promised not to play a "spoiler" role in the election if Shumlin supported single-payer health care, which he did.[17]
Vermont's Constitution requires the Vermont General Assembly to select if no candidate obtains a majority. The combined Vermont House and Senate almost always chooses the candidate who won a plurality. The legislature officially elected Peter Shumlin on January 6, 2011.
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