A majority of Vermonters want four-year terms for governor instead of the current two years, according to a poll the Snelling Center for Government commissioned and released today.

Results indicate that 58 percent of the 400 Vermonters polled would go for the four-year term for governor. That's up from 53 percent a year ago.

When it came to the Legislature, only 49 percent said they'd support a four-year term for senators and 43 percent for representatives.

Respondents were pretty clear (70 percent) that they'd like to make the choice separately for each office rather than in lump sum, if they were going to be making a choice. Changing the terms would require a constitutional amendment, a long process. If it's going to happen any time in the near future it has to pass the Legislature in 2008. It would have to pass the Senate by a two-thirds majority and the House by a majority, then pass a majority in both chambers again under a newly elected Legislature in 2009 before going to a public vote.

The poll asked respondents why they'd support the longer terms. The primary reason was that it would bring fewer election cycles and less politics. The second most common reason was it would allow more time to solve complex issues.

Those who opposed longer terms said it would reduce accountability.

What sort of person was most apt to support longer terms? Those in the 50-59 age group who describe themselves as independents and were either fairly poor (income of $25,000-$35,000) or wealthy (income over $100,000). It didn't matter what county they came from. They were more apt to be male and have a college degree.

Those less apt to support longer terms were Progressives and young people ages 18-29.

Perhaps what this means is we become more tired of elections as we get older.

- Terri Hallenbeck