Bill H.671, introduced by Representative Tagliavia, aims to enhance voter registration processes in Vermont by mandating documented proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals wishing to register to vote. The bill amends existing laws to require that applicants provide acceptable forms of citizenship verification, such as a U.S. birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate, alongside their voter registration application. Additionally, the Secretary of State is tasked with entering into a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to utilize the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program for verifying citizenship status during voter registration and for maintaining accurate voter rolls.

The bill also includes provisions for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to serve as a simultaneous voter registration application site, provided that applicants prove their U.S. citizenship. It establishes a requirement for town clerks to document and verify citizenship proof using the SAVE Program. Furthermore, the bill appropriates $300,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to support the integration of the SAVE Program into state and local systems and to train town clerks on the new processes. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 17-2121, 17-2145, 17-2145a, 17-2154