Chittenden County Public Safety Poll
Chittenden County • All Voters • May 2026
Comprehensive survey of 512 likely voters reveals deep concerns about safety, crime, drug offenses, and accountability in Vermont's most populous county.
Question 1
79% of likely voters have a favorable view of local law enforcement personnel
In general, do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of your local law enforcement personnel?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Very Favorable |
42% |
72% |
27% |
45% |
| Somewhat Favorable |
38% |
24% |
45% |
34% |
| Somewhat Unfavorable |
13% |
4% |
16% |
13% |
| Very Unfavorable |
3% |
0% |
3% |
4% |
| Unsure |
5% |
0% |
8% |
4% |
Question 2
68% of likely voters would feel unsafe walking alone in downtown Burlington at night
How safe would you feel walking alone in downtown Burlington at night?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Very Safe |
10% |
2% |
13% |
10% |
| Somewhat Safe |
20% |
11% |
27% |
16% |
| Somewhat Unsafe |
36% |
35% |
36% |
38% |
| Very Unsafe |
32% |
52% |
23% |
34% |
| Unsure |
1% |
0% |
2% |
1% |
Question 3
79% of likely voters say the crime situation in Chittenden County has gotten worse
Over the last ten years, do you think the crime situation in Chittenden County has gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed roughly the same?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Better |
1% |
0% |
2% |
1% |
| Worse |
79% |
99% |
66% |
87% |
| Stayed Roughly the Same |
14% |
0% |
24% |
9% |
| Unsure |
5% |
1% |
7% |
3% |
Question 4
31% of likely voters say Sarah George bears primary responsibility for current state of public safety and crime
Who do you feel bears the primary responsibility for the current state of public safety and crime in Chittenden County?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George |
31% |
40% |
21% |
40% |
| Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak |
15% |
18% |
15% |
12% |
| Other Local Officials |
12% |
15% |
11% |
12% |
| Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel |
12% |
9% |
15% |
9% |
| Governor Phil Scott |
4% |
2% |
8% |
1% |
| Vermont Legislature |
4% |
3% |
3% |
7% |
| Someone Else |
6% |
2% |
7% |
6% |
| Unsure |
17% |
11% |
21% |
13% |
Question 5
43% of likely voters say drug-related crimes are the most urgent public safety issue
When considering all aspects of public safety in Chittenden County, which of the following would you say is the most urgent to address?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Drug-Related Crimes |
43% |
61% |
39% |
39% |
| Homelessness |
24% |
16% |
27% |
25% |
| Violent Crimes |
16% |
10% |
17% |
19% |
| Property-Related Crimes |
4% |
5% |
4% |
5% |
| Something Else |
3% |
1% |
5% |
3% |
| Unsure |
8% |
7% |
8% |
9% |
Question 6
47% of likely voters believe protestors who assaulted law enforcement should be charged
In March, several protestors were arrested during a federal immigration raid in South Burlington. While some considered these protests to be largely non-violent, others argued that several protestors engaged in illegal behavior and assaulted law enforcement officials. Do you believe the individuals taken into custody for resisting arrest or assaulting law enforcement in the course of this protest should be charged by local prosecutors?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Should Be Charged |
47% |
86% |
20% |
65% |
| Should Not Be Charged |
34% |
4% |
57% |
18% |
| Unsure |
19% |
9% |
24% |
17% |
Question 7
69% of likely voters want crimes prosecuted & offenders held accountable
Which of the following two statements comes closer to your view, even if neither is exactly right?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Prosecute Crimes & Hold Offenders Accountable |
69% |
95% |
53% |
78% |
| Use Prosecutorial Discretion & Address Root Causes |
31% |
5% |
47% |
22% |
Question 8
72% of likely voters are familiar with Chittenden County SA Sarah George
How familiar are you with Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Very Familiar |
34% |
45% |
29% |
35% |
| Somewhat Familiar |
37% |
37% |
37% |
39% |
| Somewhat Unfamiliar |
13% |
12% |
12% |
17% |
| Very Unfamiliar |
11% |
6% |
16% |
7% |
| Unsure |
4% |
0% |
6% |
3% |
Question 9
69% of likely voters are unfamiliar with chittenden SA candidate Bram Kranichfeld
How familiar are you with candidate for Chittenden County State's Attorney Bram Kranichfeld?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Very Familiar |
12% |
9% |
14% |
9% |
| Somewhat Familiar |
14% |
16% |
13% |
14% |
| Somewhat Unfamiliar |
21% |
23% |
15% |
30% |
| Very Unfamiliar |
48% |
49% |
49% |
45% |
| Unsure |
6% |
3% |
9% |
2% |
Question 10
51% of likely voters disapprove of the job Sarah George has done as sa, but a plurality of Democrats approve of her performance
Do you approve or disapprove of the job Sarah George has done as Chittenden County State's Attorney?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Strongly Approve |
10% |
4% |
18% |
1% |
| Somewhat Approve |
16% |
7% |
19% |
16% |
| Somewhat Disapprove |
14% |
9% |
17% |
13% |
| Strongly Disapprove |
37% |
72% |
17% |
44% |
| Unsure |
24% |
9% |
30% |
25% |
Question 11
+15 pt Bram Kranichfeld leads Sarah George by 15 points in a head-to-head matchup among all likely voters, but George leads by 15 points among Democrats
If the election for Chittenden County State's Attorney were held today between the incumbent Sarah George and the challenger Bram Kranichfeld, for whom would you vote?
| Response |
ALL VOTERS |
GOP |
DEM |
IND |
| Sarah George |
20% |
3% |
35% |
9% |
| Bram Kranichfeld |
35% |
56% |
20% |
45% |
| Unsure |
45% |
41% |
45% |
46% |
Demographics
|
Party Affiliation
| Group |
Share |
| DEM |
48% |
| IND |
32% |
| GOP |
20% |
|
Age
| Group |
Share |
| 18-44 |
39% |
| 45-64 |
34% |
| 65+ |
27% |
|
Gender
| Group |
Share |
| Male |
48% |
| Female |
52% |
|
Results for this poll were collected using a mixed methodology sample comprised of an IVR, live dials, and text messages. The sample is of 512 likely Chittenden County voters. The survey was conducted April 30 – May 4, 2026. The margin of sampling error is ± 4.33 percentage points. The margin of sampling error may be higher for subgroups. Results presented may not always appear to total 100 percent due to rounding. Data were post-stratified using weighted demographic information from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey Voting and Registration Supplement and other reputable sources. Demographic information for actual voters in past elections was used to construct sample target weights.
