By Kolby LaMarche

Burlington voters will head to the polls — or drop their mailed ballots — on March 3 for the annual Town Meeting Day election, with all eight City Council ward seats up for grabs.

The contest comes after the Burlington Progressive Party held its nominating caucus in December of 2025, and the Burlington Democrats followed with theirs on last night. 

Party-endorsed slates are now largely set, though independents or petition candidates have until January 26 to file.

Democrats, who hold the current council majority, nominated five candidates on Thursday. Four incumbents ran unopposed and received the nod: Sarah Carpenter in Ward 4, Becca Brown McKnight in Ward 6, Evan Litwin in Ward 7, and Council President Ben Traverse in Ward 5. 

The party also endorsed political newcomer Ryan Nick — a Ward 8 resident with deep neighborhood ties — to challenge Progressive incumbent Merik Broderick in the student-heavy East District ward. 

Dozens of participants turned out for the Democrats’ caucus, held both online and in person at a Church Street office space. 

New party chair Ryan Addario highlighted Nick’s local connections, saying he knows the neighborhood and its issues well. A win in Ward 8 would strengthen the Democratic position, potentially moving toward a veto-proof majority on the 12-member council.

The Progressives, who nominated their slate earlier, are running incumbents Carter Neubieser in Ward 1 and Gene Bergman in Ward 2. 

In Ward 3, where incumbent Joe Kane is not seeking reelection, the party endorsed newcomer Laura Sánchez-Parkinson after she defeated challenger Vikas Mangipudi at the December caucus. 

Broderick, the Ward 8 incumbent, will face his new Democratic challenger.

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, a Progressive elected in 2024, is not up for reelection this cycle. Her administration continues to work on priorities including housing affordability and public safety, amid ongoing council debates over issues like police staffing. The Progressives did not say if Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak would be helping candidates in their campaigns. 

The election will use Burlington’s established mail-in system, active since the onset of COVID-19. Active registered voters should receive ballots by mid-February. Early and in-person voting options will also be available, with polling locations open on March 3.

Beyond council races, the ballot is expected to include the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2027, school district funding items, and any charter amendments or bond proposals. 

In recent years, voters have addressed infrastructure bonds — up to $20 million for capital projects in 2025 — and charter changes on topics like banning guns in bars. Last year, city government reiterated their legislative goals: to pass all of the City’s requested charter changes. 

The 2026 results will determine whether Democrats solidify their hold or if Progressives regain ground, particularly in competitive or open wards.

Burlington Daily News will have coverage of the candidates, campaigns, and the election, as we near closer.