Bill H.78 amends the existing law regarding the use of the Australian ballot system in local elections in Vermont. The bill allows municipalities to choose to elect "any or all" officers using this system, and once a municipality makes this decision, the officers will continue to be elected in that manner until a vote is held to discontinue it. The bill also specifies the format for the vote on whether to use the Australian ballot system, providing clear options for municipalities to decide on the election method for their officers.

Additionally, the bill ensures that elections held in 2025 will not be invalidated due to non-compliance with the new procedures or previous provisions of the law. It protects the validity of votes where municipalities have elected some, but not all, officers prior to the act's effective date, stating that such elections cannot be challenged based on procedural failures. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 17-2680
As Passed By the House -- Official: 17-2680
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 17-2680
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 17-2680
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 17-2680