The bill H.474 proposes significant amendments to Vermont's election laws, focusing on candidacy regulations and absentee ballot delivery. A key feature is the introduction of the "One-Bite Candidacy" rule, which prevents candidates who lose a major party primary from being nominated for the general election by any other party or appearing as independent candidates for the same office. Additionally, the bill modifies the nomination process for write-in candidates, requiring them to file a form to affirm their intent to have votes counted, with certain exemptions. The bill also enhances absentee ballot delivery for military and overseas voters and lowers the campaign finance reporting threshold for political committees from $1,000 to $500, aiming to streamline the election process and promote transparency.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of Vermont's campaign finance laws, introducing the term "independent expenditure-only political committee" and establishing reporting requirements for these committees and political parties if they engage in contributions or expenditures of $500 or more. It mandates audits of voter checklists and district boundaries by local boards of civil authority and town clerks, with deadlines for completion. The bill also allows supplementary petitions to be filed within 10 days after the initial deadline, clarifies that certain voter gatherings are exempt from the Open Meeting Law, and modifies the automatic voter registration process at the DMV to ensure timely transmission of applications to the Secretary of State. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the integrity and transparency 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