Barton, VT

Barton, Vermont, sits in the heart of Orleans County, and if you’ve been around here long enough, you’ve watched the political ground shift under your feet. The area now carries a Cook PVI of D+17, meaning it votes about 17 points more Democratic than the national average, which is a far cry from the independent, live-and-let-live spirit that used to define this corner of the Northeast Kingdom. Back in the 90s, you could have a reasonable conversation with your neighbor about taxes or logging without it turning into a debate on social engineering. Today, the local government and state-level policies are increasingly leaning into progressive ideology, and for those of us who value personal freedoms and limited government, it’s getting harder to recognize the place we grew up in.

How it compares

To understand Barton’s shift, you have to look at the towns around it. Drive 15 minutes south to Glover or 20 minutes west to Irasburg, and you’ll find communities that still vote more conservatively, often splitting tickets and rejecting the most aggressive state mandates. But Barton itself has become a kind of progressive outpost in the Northeast Kingdom. Compare it to Newport City to the north, which leans more moderate and has a stronger working-class identity, or St. Johnsbury to the south, which is also trending left but with a slower pace. The D+17 rating puts Barton in the same ballpark as Burlington suburbs, which is jarring when you remember this is a town of barely a thousand people. The state legislature’s recent pushes—on gun control, energy mandates, and land use restrictions—have been embraced by Barton’s local leadership, while surrounding towns often push back. It’s a real divide, and it’s not just political; it’s cultural.

What this means for residents

For folks who just want to be left alone to run a small business, hunt on their own land, or heat their home the way they see fit, the political climate here creates friction. Property taxes have climbed steadily to fund education and social programs that many residents didn’t vote for. The state’s push for renewable energy mandates has led to solar arrays and wind projects that some see as government overreach into private property rights. You’ll also notice a growing number of regulations on short-term rentals and building permits, which makes it harder for locals to earn extra income or pass down a family camp. The school system, while decent, is increasingly focused on social-emotional learning and diversity initiatives rather than the basics—a trend that worries parents who want their kids to get a solid, no-nonsense education. If you value personal autonomy and fiscal restraint, you’ll find yourself voting against the grain more often than not.

One of the biggest cultural distinctions here is the tension between the old-timers and the newcomers. A lot of folks moved up from southern New England during the pandemic, bringing urban sensibilities and a willingness to support higher taxes and stricter regulations. They’re nice enough, but they don’t always understand why a guy might want to keep a wood stove burning or park a truck on his lawn. The local economy—dairy farming, logging, and small trades—is being squeezed by state policies that favor environmentalism over industry. Looking ahead, if the trend continues, Barton could become a place where the cost of living and the loss of personal freedoms drive out the very people who built it. It’s not a crisis yet, but the writing’s on the wall for anyone paying attention.