The bill amends various sections of Vermont's election laws, focusing on candidate nominations, voting procedures, and campaign finance regulations. A significant change is the introduction of the "One-Bite Candidacy" provision, which prevents candidates who lose a major party primary from being nominated for the general election by any other party or appearing on the ballot as independent candidates for the same office. Additionally, the bill establishes new requirements for write-in candidates, who must now file a form to affirm their intent to have votes counted. It also updates absentee ballot delivery regulations for military and overseas voters and lowers the registration threshold for political committees and independent expenditure-only political committees from $1,000 to $500.

Moreover, the bill includes provisions for auditing voter checklists and district boundaries, requiring local boards to ensure alignment by September 15, 2025, and to report findings to the Secretary of State by November 15, 2025. It repeals outdated provisions related to monetary reporting thresholds and voting in multiple locations, while also clarifying deadlines for filing nomination papers and handling returned ballots. In terms of automatic voter registration, the bill allows applications for motor vehicle licenses to serve as simultaneous voter registration applications, provided the applicant attests to U.S. citizenship. The act is designed to enhance transparency in campaign financing and improve the integrity of the electoral process in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 17-2381, 17-2386, 17-2401, 17-2539, 17-2665, 17-2370, 17-2472, 17-2587, 17-2702, 17-2921, 17-2964, 17-2901, 17-2971, 17-2602a, 17-1971, 17-1973, 17-2103, 17-2358, 17-2313, 17-2413, 17-2493, 17-2546, 17-2703, 1-310, 7-863, 17-55, 20-2485, 24-33, 24-1529, 24-1936a
As Passed By the House -- Official: 17-2381, 17-2386, 17-2401, 17-2539, 17-2665, 17-2370, 17-2472, 17-2587, 17-2702, 17-2921, 17-2964, 17-2901, 17-2971, 17-2602a, 17-1971, 17-1973, 17-2103, 17-2358, 17-2313, 17-2413, 17-2493, 17-2546, 17-2703, 1-310, 7-863, 17-55, 20-2485, 24-33, 24-1529, 24-1936a
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 17-2381, 17-2401, 17-2539, 17-2665, 17-2370, 17-2472, 17-2587, 17-2702, 17-2921, 17-2964, 17-2901, 17-2971, 17-2602a, 17-1971, 17-1973, 17-2103, 17-2358, 17-2313, 17-2413, 17-2493, 17-2546, 17-2703, 1-310, 7-863, 17-55, 20-2485, 24-33, 24-1529, 24-1936a
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 17-2381, 17-2386, 17-2401, 17-2539, 17-2665, 17-2370, 17-2472, 17-2587, 17-2702, 17-2921, 17-2964, 17-2901, 17-2971, 17-2602a, 17-1971, 17-1973, 17-2103, 17-2358, 17-2313, 17-2413, 17-2493, 17-2546, 17-2703, 1-310, 7-863, 17-55, 20-2485, 24-33, 24-1529, 24-1936a, 17-2922, 17-2970, 17-2925, 17-2945, 17-2962, 17-2965, 17-2972, 17-2973, 17-2402, 17-2145a
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 17-2381, 17-2401, 17-2539, 17-2370, 17-2472, 17-2587, 17-2702, 17-2921, 17-2922, 17-2964, 17-2970, 17-2901, 17-2925, 17-2945, 17-2962, 17-2965, 17-2972, 17-2973, 17-1971, 17-1973, 17-2103, 17-2358, 17-2413, 17-2402, 17-2546, 17-2703, 1-310, 17-2145a
As Enacted: 17-2381, 17-2401, 17-2539, 17-2370, 17-2472, 17-2587, 17-2702, 17-2921, 17-2922, 17-2964, 17-2970, 17-2901, 17-2925, 17-2945, 17-2962, 17-2965, 17-2972, 17-2973, 17-1971, 17-1973, 17-2103, 17-2358, 17-2413, 17-2402, 17-2546, 17-2703, 1-310, 17-2145a