Sam Hemingway came back from interviewing at the polls today, saying he was surprised at the number of voters who told him they voted a straight party ticket, especially for the Democratic ticket. Vermont voters for 30 years have been famous ticket-splitters, sometimes voting for a self-described socialist congressman, moderate Democrats and conservative Republicans all in the same election.

Exit polling indicates this election might be different. More than 7 in 10 Vermont voters are upset about the war in Iraq, more than 7 in 10 are unhappy with the president. GOP party chairman Jim Barnett just said on Vermont Public Radio that it's possible that anger with the national government will affect voting down the ticket.

Maybe another result from Bennington bears him out: town clerk Tim Corcoran says Democrat Tom Salmon Jr. is beating Republican incumbent Randy Brock in the race for state auditor (can't get much farther down the ticket than that).

But remember, it's early yet.

-- Candace Page