Candidate websites
Secretary of State
2026 Vermont Secretary of State — General Election · November 3, 2026
Official filing status and all displayed profile fields are shown with retained source evidence. Final ballot placement remains explicitly pending.
Last reviewed September 17, 2026Policy statements from campaign-controlled sources are labeled candidate positions; they are not independently presented as proven outcomes.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Vermont Secretary of State — 2026 General Election Qualified Candidates
Last Updated: 8/21/2026 4:54pm
Contest: SECRETARY OF STATE
Name On Ballot: SARAH COPELAND HANZAS
Town Of Residence: BRADFORD
Party: DEMOCRATIC
Address: PO Box 43, Bradford, VT 05033
Day Time Phone: (802) 477-2339
Email: [email protected]
Term Length(Years): 2
Vote for Count: ONE
Only contact details published in official filing records, FEC filings, or a verified candidate-owned source with retained exact evidence appear here.
PO Box 43 · Bradford, VT 05033
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Address: PO Box 43, Bradford, VT 05033
Day Time Phone: (802) 477-2339
Email: [email protected]
Publication here means only that the contact detail appeared in the cited filing. It is not an endorsement, and older filings may remain visible until an amended official record is captured.
Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.
Sarah Copeland Hanzas grew up in a large, politically diverse, family in Corinth. Sarah’s family would discuss the news each night around the dinner table, and it’s where she learned to disagree respectfully, think critically, and love politics.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Sarah Copeland Hanzas grew up in a large, politically diverse, family in Corinth. Sarah’s family would discuss the news each night around the dinner table, and it’s where she learned to disagree respectfully, think critically, and love politics.
Sarah graduated from Oxbow High School and University of Vermont with degrees in History and Geology. Investing in her community was always important to Sarah, so she chose to become a teacher. She completed her teacher training at Upper Valley Educator Institute and has taught science and coached youth and high school field hockey, basketball, and softball.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Sarah graduated from Oxbow High School and University of Vermont with degrees in History and Geology. Investing in her community was always important to Sarah, so she chose to become a teacher. She completed her teacher training at Upper Valley Educator Institute and has taught science and coached youth and high school field hockey, basketball, and softball.
Sarah and her husband John had three children, and Sarah spent eight years as a stay-at-home mom. Then, in 2004, she decided she wanted to give back to her community in a bigger way, so she ran for the Vermont legislature. Sarah has served 18 years representing Bradford, Fairlee, and West Fairlee.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Sarah and her husband John had three children, and Sarah spent eight years as a stay-at-home mom. Then, in 2004, she decided she wanted to give back to her community in a bigger way, so she ran for the Vermont legislature. Sarah has served 18 years representing Bradford, Fairlee, and West Fairlee.
In 2010 Copeland Hanzas co-founded The Local Buzz Cafe on Main Street in Bradford, because she saw a need for a local meeting spot in her town. She spent 11 years operating the cafe, serving food and coffee. The Local Buzz closed in 2021 to make way for a new eatery.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
In 2010 Copeland Hanzas co-founded The Local Buzz Cafe on Main Street in Bradford, because she saw a need for a local meeting spot in her town. She spent 11 years operating the cafe, serving food and coffee. The Local Buzz closed in 2021 to make way for a new eatery.
Sarah served on the Health Care Committee for a decade, fighting for affordable health care and prescription drugs for all Vermonters. She has served as House Majority Leader and Chair of the Government Operations committee. She has served on the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Sarah served on the Health Care Committee for a decade, fighting for affordable health care and prescription drugs for all Vermonters. She has served as House Majority Leader and Chair of the Government Operations committee. She has served on the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In the face of mounting environmental challenges, Sarah remains steadfast in her commitment to safeguarding our planet for future generations. As a legislator, she voted to protect our planet at every opportunity. She was the lead sponsor on the Global Warming Solutions Act, and finished her time in the legislature as the Co-Chair of the Climate Solutions Caucus for three years. She is recognized state-wide for her work on Climate and Environment.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
In the face of mounting environmental challenges, Sarah remains steadfast in her commitment to safeguarding our planet for future generations. As a legislator, she voted to protect our planet at every opportunity. She was the lead sponsor on the Global Warming Solutions Act, and finished her time in the legislature as the Co-Chair of the Climate Solutions Caucus for three years. She is recognized state-wide for her work on Climate and Environment.
Sarah joined the legislature in response to the attack on civil unions in Vermont. She proudly voted yes on marriage equality in 2009, and continued that trend by voting supportively on other LGBTQ+ issue bills, such as requiring non-gender bathrooms. As a legislator, she voted yes to get rid of the “LGBTQ+ panic” defense for crimes, and she co-sponsored and voted to pass the bill allowing people to amend their birth certificate to reflect gender identity.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Sarah joined the legislature in response to the attack on civil unions in Vermont. She proudly voted yes on marriage equality in 2009, and continued that trend by voting supportively on other LGBTQ+ issue bills, such as requiring non-gender bathrooms. As a legislator, she voted yes to get rid of the “LGBTQ+ panic” defense for crimes, and she co-sponsored and voted to pass the bill allowing people to amend their birth certificate to reflect gender identity.
A position shows what the candidate said—not FactVote's endorsement.
Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.
With a clear and consistent record of supporting sensible gun safety reforms, Sarah has been a steadfast advocate for common-sense measures to prevent gun violence. By prioritizing public safety and the well-being of Vermont communities, Sarah continues to lead the charge for meaningful action on gun safety, ensuring that Vermont remains a safe and secure place for all.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
With a clear and consistent record of supporting sensible gun safety reforms, Sarah has been a steadfast advocate for common-sense measures to prevent gun violence. By prioritizing public safety and the well-being of Vermont communities, Sarah continues to lead the charge for meaningful action on gun safety, ensuring that Vermont remains a safe and secure place for all.
Prioritizes helping Vermonters participate in democracy through voting, civic engagement, and communication with elected leaders.
No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.
Advanced updates to Vermont's Open Meeting Law intended to improve transparency and accountability in local government.
No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.
Advocated for legislation intended to increase democratic participation and equity through local-media access.
No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.
Created Vermont's first universal voting guide so voters can learn about candidates on their ballots.
No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.
Prioritizes public access to accurate, authentic, and reliable state and local records through records-management programs, services, and technology.
No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.
Supports free, fair, and accessible elections in which Vermonters can make informed choices.
No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.
Supports gun-safety reforms intended to prevent gun violence and protect Vermont communities.
No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.
Executive public-record methodology
An executive record will attach only from official orders, directives, vetoes, signed actions, legal filings, or direct official statements that explicitly attribute the action to this person. Agency outcomes and events during an administration are not inferred as personal actions.
Official filings may be amended after publication.
Vermont's official campaign-finance portal is linked. No amount attaches until one exact candidate identity, compatible 2026 election cycle, reporting period, and amendment state are captured. Missing values are not zero.
Claims that did not clear the publication standard remain visibly excluded.
Reason: NO_STABLE_ELIGIBLE_PUBLIC_RECORD_IDENTITY_ATTACHED
Names and candidate-stated prior service alone never attach another person's records.
Every profile claim points back to retained source evidence.
Vermont Secretary of State
Open Vermont Secretary of StateSarah Copeland Hanzas campaign
Open Sarah Copeland Hanzas campaignVermont Secretary of State
Open Vermont Secretary of StateVermont Secretary of State
Open Vermont Secretary of StateCandidate-owned primary source
Open Candidate-owned primary sourceCandidate-owned primary source
Open Candidate-owned primary source