Agatha Kessler elected sergeant at arms of Vermont General Assembly in 84–82 ballot

Agatha Kessler was elected sergeant at arms of the Vermont General Assembly in a contested joint assembly ballot, 84 votes to 82, after tellers counted 166 ballots twice and the chair announced the result.

The assembly convened to fill the vacancy created when Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024. The presiding officer said the election would be conducted under constitutional and statutory rules and Joint Rule 10, which requires ballots for contested elections and sets nomination and speaking limits.

Members nominated two candidates. Sen. Ingalls, senator from Essex, delivered a nominating speech for Mike Farrant, praising his work as director of legislative operations during the pandemic and his service in the U.S. Army Reserve and said, "Please elect Mike Farrant as our next sergeant of arms." Representative Sebelia of Dover seconded that nomination and offered supporting remarks about Farrant’s committee-assistant experience.

Representative Lanfer nominated Agatha Kessler of Barre Town, citing her years of experience in committee services, drafting operations, and supervisory roles in state offices; Representative Marcotte of Coventry seconded Kessler’s nomination and described her as experienced, nonpartisan, and respectful.

Tellers named by the chair distributed and collected ballots; the chair instructed members to remain seated during the count and offered replacement ballots for anyone who had accidentally signed or spoiled a ballot. A member representing St. Albans City asked whether to mark a faint attestation line on the ballot; the presiding officer replied that the attestation was already signed by the secretary of state and members should not mark that space.

After the ballots were collected and counted twice for accuracy, the presiding officer announced the totals: 166 ballots cast, with a majority threshold of 84. The reported votes were 84 for Kessler and 82 for Michael (Mike) Farrant; the chair declared Kessler to have received a majority and declared her elected.

Following the close result, Rep. Sebelia asked about the procedure for reconsideration. The presiding officer said a motion to reconsider may be made by someone who voted with the majority; if a majority of the assembly then votes to reconsider, another round of voting would occur (a recount was not required because the ballots had been counted twice). The assembly took a brief recess during that exchange.

The presiding officer closed by declaring Agatha Kessler sergeant at arms for a term to February 20, 2025, "and until their successor is elected and has qualified," and dissolved the joint assembly.

The election record included the appointed tellers and the full tally; no formal reconsideration motion was recorded in the transcript.