Bill > H0474

This bill makes several miscellaneous changes to Vermont's election laws, focusing on multiple key areas. For primary and general elections, the bill prevents a candidate who loses a primary from appearing on the general election ballot as an independent candidate for the same office, and establishes new rules for write-in candidates, including requiring them to file a form with the Secretary of State affirming their intent to have votes counted. The bill also modifies campaign finance regulations by lowering the threshold for political committee and independent expenditure-only political committee reporting from $1,000 to $500, and expands definitions to include self-funded individuals. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for overseas and military voters, including clarifying the definition of "overseas voters" and mandating specific ballot delivery timelines. In the realm of voter registration, the bill updates automatic voter registration processes at the Department of Motor Vehicles by requiring proof or attestation of U.S. citizenship. The bill also exempts municipal annual meetings from open meeting law requirements and makes various technical changes to election-related language, such as replacing gendered pronouns with gender-neutral terms. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Government Affairs

Government Operations and Military Affairs (House)

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.474