In an election cycle dominated by change, Vermont incumbents at the state and national level kept a tight hold on their seats and Vermont voters kept up their independent voting streak.

Vermont's sole U.S. Representative, Peter Welch (D-Hartland), claimed nearly 85 percent of the vote, according to the early results. His closest competitor, independent Mike Bethel, earned less than 5 percent of the vote.

Three-term incumbent Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) held more than 54 percent of the vote, more than doubling his closest competitors House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) and Anthony Pollina (I-Middlesex). 

The state's second in command held onto his seat as well. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie (R-Essex Junction) earned 56 percent of the vote, beating his Democratic challenger Democrat Tom Costello, a Brattleboro attorney and former state legislator, by a 17 point margin.

State Auditor Tom Salmon, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, state Treasurer Jeb Spaulding, and state Attorney General William Sorrell - all incumbents - also kept their seats. None of them received less than 70 percent of the vote.  

Vermont voters also maintained their image as notorious ticket-splitters. On a night when Democrat Barack Obama won 67 percent of Vermont's votes, Green Mountain State voters also chose to keep their top executive officials - both incumbent Republicans - in office.