In a midterm election dominated by talk of affordability, the environment was still an important issue for many Burlington-area voters.

University of Vermont students fanned out across the area to ask how these issues motivated voters on Election Day.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11 a.m.

To Amy Malinoski, climate change is connected closely to problems with unfettered capitalism. She said she supported Democrat Amanda Janoo, an economist, in the race for Vermont governor.

“I feel like it’s very intersecting issue,” she said. “Climate touches everything.”

Meanwhile, Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak said she also supported Janoo, and criticized Gov. Phil Scott’s environmental record.

“The current Governor pulled us out of some climate agreements for the region,” she said. “We need leadership which knows how important to not only be a partner, but to continue to push to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”

— Daphne Cooper and Bella Fitch

Edmunds Elementary, Burlington, 10 a.m.

Marshall Moffatt said he connects environmentalism to supporting small and rural schools.

Amy Mentes connected campaign finance reform to protecting the environment.

Lisa Farrell said she was very concerned about the environment, among other issues.

— Siena Karp, Katie Sweeney, Elliot Buzby

Winooski Senior Center, Noon

Two Winooski voters said environmental issues were key in who they supported in the race for governor.

Joanne Davidman said she was disillusioned with Gov. Phil Scott over his stance on data centers.

“The whole data center thing is driving me crazy and the fact the governor vetoed it. So for the governor’s race that impacted me,” Davidman said.

Audrey Gollan is a student at University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. She said she supported candidates who combined small business support with environmental values.

“Amanda Janoo I felt had a lot of good small farmer and small business policies that I want to support. I think those are really good for the environment, and that’s the direction I want Vermont to go,” she said.

— Shawn Larkin, Amelia Nevin, Travis Green

Town Hall Senior Center, South Burlington, Noon

Chris Shaw said environmental issues were not the most concerning topic in the minds of South Burlington voters. Other more tangible issues, like taxes and budgets, were at the forefront of voters’ minds.

Shaw is chair of the South Burlington Democratic Committee and was volunteering at City Hall Senior Center polling station.

Shaw said one of the most concerning environmental issues for South Burlington and Burlington residents is waste and storm water drainage pipes. He said it took years after the creation of the Clean Water Act for changes to take effect.

Now, he said residents are very aware of the efforts to redo drainage pipes across Vermont. South Burlington’s city government lists all of their storm water capital projects on their website.

Zandy Wheeler said overspending causes the most environmental trouble.

Wheeler gave the example of building new housing, “not rebuilding things that could be recovered” as opposed to building “something new and fancy” that chews up precious land.

“It’s spending and how it relates to preserving what we have as opposed to swallowing, using, throwing away stuff,” Wheeler said.

— Layna Transue, Leah Nieberle and Ben Gamper

Mater Christi School, Burlington, 2:30 p.m.

Environmental issues led River Boyer to support Democrats, he said.

“I think energy is one of the reasons I voted a blue ballot,” he said. “especially talking about Amanda Janoo for governor. Her policy prescriptions on energy use and the gas tax were very important to me, and green, sustainable energy in Vermont is very important to everyone.”

Emily Garrett said issues like education were more important to her, in part because she’s not worried about environmental policy differences among candidates.

“We live in Vermont and all of the politicians here are pretty good on the environment,” she said

— Josh Santee and Marka Mazullo