PROPOSAL 1 Page 1 of 2
2023
SENATE CHAMBER
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE STATE OF VERMONT
Offered by: Senators Hardy, Sears, Baruth, Clarkson, Hashim, Lyons,
Vyhovsky, Watson and White Subject: Elections; sheriffs; qualifications PROPOSAL 1
Sec. 1. PURPOSE
This proposal would amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to
allow the General Assembly to establish by law qualifications for individuals to be elected to and hold the office of sheriff. Currently, there are no specific qualifications for being a sheriff in Vermont, including no requirement that a sheriff have or maintain law enforcement officer certification.
Sec. 2. Section 50 of Chapter II of the Vermont Constitution is amended to
read:
§ 50. ELECTION OF ASSISTANT JUDGES, SHERIFFS, AND STATE’S
ATTORNEYS
The Assistant Judges shall be elected by the voters of their respective districts as established by law. Their judicial functions shall be established by
law. Their term of office shall be four years and shall commence on the first day of February next after their election.
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PROPOSAL 1 Page 2 of 2
2023
Sheriffs shall be elected by the voters of their respective districts as
established by law. Their term of office shall be four years and shall commence on the first day of February next after their election. The General Assembly may establish by law qualifications for the election to and holding of
such office.
State’s Attorneys shall be elected by the voters of their respective districts as established by law. Their term of office shall be four years and shall commence on the first day of February next after their election.
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
The amendment set forth in Sec. 2 shall become a part of the Constitution of
the State of Vermont on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November
2026 when ratified and adopted by the people of this State in accordance with the provisions of 17 V.S.A. chapter 32.
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