H 474 — An act relating to miscellaneous changes to election law
Last action — House message: Governor approved bill on June 25, 2025
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 14, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on June 16, 2025.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
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Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Failed a recorded vote
Failed 1 recorded vote so far — a real headwind.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
787 added · 613 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent changes in Bill H 474 establish new rules for elections in Vermont, particularly regarding candidate nominations and voting methods. Notably, the bill now requires that candidates who lose in a major party primary cannot run as independents or with another party in the general election. Furthermore, there is a new requirement for the Secretary of State to explore the feasibility of ranked-choice voting for presidential primaries and to investigate the option of electronic ballot returns for voters who may have difficulties voting in person. These changes are significant because they aim to streamline the election process while enhancing voter access and the fairness of candidate nominations.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 1 of 3342 H.474 AnIntroduced act relating to miscellaneous changes to election law It is hereby enacted by theCommittee Generalon AssemblyGovernment ofOperations theand StateMilitary ofAffairs Vermont:Date:
Subject:
Elections;
ranked-choice voting;
nominations;
electronic ballot return;
write-in candidates;
campaign finance;
recounts Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to require the Secretary of State to report on the feasibility of permanently instituting ranked-choice voting for presidential primary elections.
It proposes to prohibit a major political party from nominating a candidate for a general election if that party failed to nominate a candidate during the primary election.
This bill proposes to prohibit a candidate who loses a major party primary for any office from appearing on the general election ballot for the same office for which the candidate lost in the primary election as an independent candidate or representing any other party.
It proposes to require the Secretary of State to report on the feasibility of permitting electronic ballot return for voters who are ill, injured, or have a disability;
military and overseas voters;
and voters who participate in the Secretary of State’s Address Confidentiality Program.
This bill proposes to permit candidates to provide additional demographic information.
It proposes to require write-in candidates to file consent of candidacy forms in advance of an election and to increase the minimum thresholds for write-in candidates in primary elections.
This bill proposes to BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 2 of 42 make various modifications to campaign finance reporting and requirements.
It proposes to require town clerks and boards of civil authority to perform audits to voter checklists for Representative districts and Senatorial districts that split municipal boundaries.
This bill proposes to, in the event of a contested election and recount, require candidates to nominate disinterested parties to a recount committee and prohibit the Superior Court from appointing nominees to the recount committee if they are an interested party.
It also proposes to modify deadlines for various State and local election procedures.
An act relating to miscellaneous changes to election law It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 3 of 42 Sec.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2381 is amended to read:
§ 2381.
APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER (a) A candidate may also be nominated and have the candidate’s name printed on the general election ballot in accordance with the provisions set forth in this subchapter, in the following instances:
(1) In in case of a vacancy on the general election ballot occasioned by death, removal, or withdrawal of a candidate, or but not for the failure of a major political party to nominate a candidate by primary;
(2) In in case a minor political party desires to nominate a candidate for any office for which major political parties nominate candidates by primary or for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States;
and (3) In in case of nomination for the office of justice of the peace, in the event that such nomination has not already been made by caucus as provided in section 2413 of this chapter.
* * * Sec.
2.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2386 is amended to read:
§ 2386.
TIME FOR FILING STATEMENTS (a) In the case of the failure of a major political party to nominate a candidate by primary, a statement shall be filed not later than 5:00 p.m.
on the sixth day following the primary.
[Repealed.] BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 4 of 42 * * * Sec.
3.
§§ 2381. 2381.
Show all 176 changed lines (136 more)
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 2 of 33 Sec.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 5 of 42 * * * Electronic Ballot Returns Report and Miscellaneous Changes to Electronic Ballot Delivery Law * * * Sec.
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 3 of 33 Sec.
§§ 2539 2539 is amended to read:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 6 of 42 (B) On that day the town clerk shall complete any reporting requirements and any other responsibilities regarding the mailing of early voter absentee ballots to military or overseas voters, as directed by the Secretary of State.
In the case of persons who participate in the address confidentiality program administered by the Secretary of State set forth in 15 VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 4 of 33 V.S.A.
NOTIFICATION TO SECRETARY OF STATE (a) The town clerk shall file with the Secretary of State a list of the names and addresses of the selectboard members elected and candidates that includes the candidates’ street addresses, email addresses, sought office, and the end date of the term of office of each selectboard member, city councilor, village BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 7 of 42 trustee, and mayor elected.
(c) Information about a candidate’s gender, age, or race or ethnicity collected pursuant to this subsection is exempt from public inspection and copying under the Public Records Act and shall be kept confidential, except VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 5 of 33 that the Secretary of State may publish information pertaining to candidates’ gender, age, or race or ethnicity in aggregate form.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES (a) In order to have votes listed for a write-in candidate under subdivision 25872587(e)(3) of this title, not later than 7:005:00 p.m.
on the second Friday preceding the primary election, a write-in candidate for the General Assembly, any county office, any State office, or any federal office shall file with the Secretary of State a form consenting to candidacy for office as set forth in BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 8 of 42 subsection 2587(e) of this title.
The Secretary of State shall notify the town clerks of any filings made in accordance with this subsection not later than the Friday before the election.
(b) A write-in candidate shall not qualify as a primary winner unless he or she the candidate receives at least one-half the same number of votes as the number of signatures required for his or her the candidate’s office on a primary petition, except that if a write-in candidate receives more votes than a candidate whose name is printed on the ballot, he or she may the write-in candidate shall qualify as a primary winner.
(b)(c) The write-in candidate who qualifies as a primary winner under this section must still be determined a winner under section 2369 of this chapter before he or she the candidate becomes the party’s candidate in the general election.
Sec.
9.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2370 is amended to read:
§ 2370.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES (a) In order to have votes listed for a write-in candidate under subdivision of this title, not later than 7:00 p.m.
The candidate shall file the form with either all town clerks within BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 9 of 42 the candidate’s applicable district or the Secretary of State’s Office in an electronic manner approved by the Secretary.
(b) A write-in candidate shall not qualify as a primary winner unless he or she the candidate receives at least one-half the same number of votes as the number of signatures required for his or her the candidate’s office on a primary petition, except that if a write-in candidate receives more votes than a candidate whose name is printed on the ballot, he or she may the write-in VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 6 of 33 candidate shall qualify as a primary winner.
§§ 2472 2472 is amended to read:
CONTENTS * * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 10 of 42 (b)(1) Each office to be voted upon shall be separately indicated and preceded by the word “For,” as:
“For United States Senator.” Beneath the office to be voted upon shall appear the instructions:
“Vote for not more than (the number of candidates to be elected).” * * * (6) In order to have votes listed for a write-in candidate under subdivision 2587(e)(3) of this title, not later than 5:00 p.m.
on the second Friday preceding the general election, a write-in candidate for the General Assembly, any county office, any State office, or any federal office shall file with the Secretary of State a form consenting to candidacy for office as set forth in subsection 2587(e) of this title.
The Secretary of State shall notify the town clerks of any filings made in accordance with this subsection not later than the Friday before the election.
* * * Sec.
10.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2472 is amended to read:
§ 2472.
“Vote for not more than (the number of candidates to be elected).” BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 11 of 42 * * * (5)(A) In order to have votes listed for a write-in candidate under subdivision 2587 of this title, not later than 7:00 p.m.
on the day of the primary election, a write-in candidate for the General Assembly, any State office, or any federal office shall complete a form of the Secretary of State’s design affirming that the candidate wants to have received votes listed under VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 7 of 33 subdivision 2587(e)(3) of this title.
§§ 2587 2587 is amended to read:
RULES FOR COUNTING VOTES * * * (e)(1) In the case of “write-in” votes, the act of writing in the name of a candidate, or pasting a label containing a candidate’s name upon the ballot, BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 12 of 42 without other indications of the voter’s intent, shall constitute a vote for that candidate, even though the voter did not fill in the square or oval after the name.
(2)(2)(A) A vote for a write-in candidate shall be counted as a write-in vote that is without requisiteconsent filingsof candidate unless the write-in candidate filed a consent of candidate form with the Secretary of State in accordance VTwith LEGsection #3821532370 v.1of ASthis PASSEDtitle BYin HOUSEthe H.474primary Pageelection, 8subsection 2472(b) of 33this withtitle sectionfor 2370,the 2472,general orelection, 2702and subsection 2703(f) of this title.title for the presidential primary.
The consent form shall set forth the name of the candidate, the name of the office for which the candidate consents to be a candidate, the candidate’s town of residence, and the candidate’s correct mailing address.
The clerk shall record the name and vote totals of a write-in candidate who has filed in accordance with section 2370 of this title in the primary election, subsection 2472(b) of this title for the general election, and subsection 2703(f) of this title for the presidential primary.
(B) The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish forms for candidate consent purposes.
(3) The election officials counting ballots and tallying results shall only list every person who receives a “write-in” vote and the number of votes received the names and votes received of those write-in candidates who consented to candidacy for the office pursuant to section 2370 of this title in BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 13 of 42 the primary election, subsection 2472(b) of this title for the general election, and subsection 2703(f) of this title for the presidential primary.
Any write-in votes for candidates who have not consented to the write-in candidacy shall be listed as “other write-ins.” (A) On each tally sheet, the counters shall add together the names of candidates that are clearly the same person, even though a nickname or last name is used.
(B) Names of fictitious or deceased persons who are not registered write-in candidates shall not be listed individually and shall be recorded on the tally sheet as a blank vote in the aggregate as “other write-ins.” (f) When the same number of persons are nominated for the position of justice of the peace as there are positions to be filled, the presiding officer may declare the whole slate of candidates elected without making individual tallies, providing each person on the slate has more votes than the largest number of write-in votes for any one registered write-in candidate.
Sec.
11.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2587 is amended to read:
§ 2587.
RULES FOR COUNTING VOTES * * * (e)(1) In the case of “write-in” votes, the act of writing in the name of a candidate, or pasting a label containing a candidate’s name upon the ballot, without other indications of the voter’s intent, shall constitute a vote for that BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 14 of 42 candidate, even though the voter did not fill in the square or oval after the name.
(2) A vote for a write-in candidate shall be counted as a write-in vote that is without requisite filings unless the write-in candidate filed in accordance with section 2370, 2472, or 2702 of this title.
(B)(C) Names of fictitious or deceased persons who have not filed in accordance with section 2370, 2472, or 2702 of this title shall not be listed individually and shall be recorded on the tally sheet as a blank vote in aggregate as “other write-ins.” BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 15 of 42 (f) When the same number of persons are nominated for the position of justice of the peace as there are positions to be filled, the presiding officer may declare the whole slate of candidates elected without making individual tallies, providing each person on the slate has more votes than the largest number of write-in votes for any one registered write-in candidate.
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 9 of 33 Sec.
§§ 2702 2702 is amended to read:
However, if the petition of a candidate is accompanied by the affidavit of the candidate, which shall be available for public inspection, that the candidate and the candidate’s campaign committee BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 16 of 42 are without sufficient funds to pay the filing fee, the Secretary of State shall waive all but $300.00 of the payment of the filing fee by that candidate.
(f) In order to have votes counted for a write-in candidate under section 2587 of this title, not later than 5:00 p.m.
on the second Friday preceding the presidential primary election, a write-in candidate for nomination by any major political party shall file with the Secretary of State a form consenting to candidacy for office as set forth in subsection 2361(b) of this title.
The Secretary of State shall notify the town clerks of any filings made in accordance with this subsection not later than the Friday before the election.
Sec.
12.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2702 is amended to read:
§ 2702.
NOMINATING PETITION (a) The name of any person shall be printed upon the primary ballot as a candidate for nomination by any major political party if petitions signed by at least 1,000 voters in accordance with sections 2353, 2354, and 2358 of this title are filed with the Secretary of State, together with the written consent of the person to the printing of the person’s name on the ballot.
(b) Petitions shall be filed not later than 5:00 p.m.
on the 15th day of December preceding the primary election.
(c) The petition shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
(d) A person’s name shall not be listed as a candidate on the primary ballot of more than one party in the same election.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 17 of 42 (e) Each petition shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $2,000.00 to be paid to the Secretary of State.
on the day of the primary election, a write-in candidate for the General Assembly, any State office, or VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 10 of 33 any federal office shall complete a form of the Secretary of State’s design affirming that the candidate wants to have received votes listed under subdivision 2587(e)(3) of this title.
* * * Campaign Finance * * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 18 of 42 Sec.
TREASURER (a)(1)(a) Each candidate who has made expenditures or accepted contributions of $500.00 or more in an election cycle files a consent to the printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot, as provided in section 2361 of this title, shall register with the Secretary of State within 10 days of reaching the $500.00 threshold or on the date that the next report is required of the candidate under VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 11 of 33 this chapter, whichever occurs first, prior to filing the consent stating his or her the candidate’s full name and address;, and the office the candidate is seeking;.seeking;, the name and address of the bank in which the candidate maintains his or her the campaign checking account;
if raising or spending any campaign funds, and the name and address of the treasurer responsible for maintaining the checking account.
A candidate’s treasurer may be the candidate or his or her the candidate’s spouse.
* * * Sec.
13.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2921 is amended to read:
§ 2921.
CANDIDATES;
REGISTRATION;
CHECKING ACCOUNT;
TREASURER (a)(1) Each candidate who has made expenditures or accepted contributions of $500.00 or more in an election cycle files a consent to the BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 19 of 42 printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot, as provided in section 2361 of this title, shall register with the Secretary of State within 10 days of reaching the $500.00 threshold or on the date that the next report is required of the candidate under this chapter, whichever occurs first, prior to filing the consent stating his or her the candidate’s full name and address;, and the office the candidate is seeking;.
POLITICAL PARTIES (a)(1) Each candidate for State office, the General Assembly, or a two- year-term county office who has rolled over any amount of surplus into his or her new campaign or who has made expenditures or accepted contributions of $500.00 or more during the two-year general election cycle and, except as BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 20 of 42 provided in subsection (b) of this section, each political committee that has not filed a final report pursuant to subsection 2965(b) of this chapter, and each political party required to register under section 2923 of this chapter shall file with the Secretary of State campaign finance reports as follows:
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 12 of 33 * * * (2) Each candidate for a four-year-term county office who has rolled over any amount of surplus into his or her new campaign or who has made expenditures or accepted contributions of $500.00 or more during the four-yearfour- year general election cycle shall file with the Secretary of State campaign finance reports as follows:
14.
17 V.S.A.
§ 2964 is amended to read:
§ 2964.
CAMPAIGN REPORTS;
CANDIDATES FOR STATE OFFICE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND COUNTY OFFICE;
POLITICAL COMMITTEES;
POLITICAL PARTIES (a)(1) Each candidate for State office, the General Assembly, or a two- year-term county office who has rolled over any amount of surplus into his or her new campaign or who has made expenditures or accepted contributions of $500.00 or more during the two-year general election cycle and, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, each political committee that has not filed a final report pursuant to subsection 2965(b) of this chapter, and each BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 21 of 42 political party required to register under section 2923 of this chapter shall file with the Secretary of State campaign finance reports as follows:
* * * (2) Each candidate for a four-year-term county office who has rolled over any amount of surplus into his or her new campaign or who has made expenditures or accepted contributions of $500.00 or more during the four- year general election cycle shall file with the Secretary of State campaign finance reports as follows:
* * * Sec.
(11) “Mass media activity” means a television commercial, radio commercial, Internet internet advertisement, mass mailing, mass electronic or digitalBILL communication,AS literaturePASSED drop,BY newspaperTHE orHOUSE periodicalH.474 advertisement,Page VT22 LEGof #38215342 v.1digital AScommunication, PASSEDliterature BYdrop, HOUSEnewspaper H.474or Pageperiodical 13advertisement, of 33 robotic phone call, or telephone bank, that includes the name or likeness of a clearly identified candidate for office.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 23 of 42 (15)(14) “Public question” means an issue that is before the voters for a binding decision.
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 14 of 33 (15) “Public question campaign” means a political campaign, specifically an effort to influence an election, that conducts its activities entirely independent of candidates;
REPORT OF MASS MEDIA ACTIVITIES * * * (d)(1) In addition to the reporting requirements of this section, an independent expenditure-only political committee a public question campaign that makes an expenditure for any one mass media activity totaling $5,000.00 or more, adjusted for inflation pursuant to the Consumer Price Index as provided in section 2905 of this chapter, within 45 days before a primary, general, county, or local election shall, for each such activity and within 24 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 24 of 42 hours of the expenditure or activity, whichever occurs first, file an independent expenditure-only political committee a public question campaign mass media VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 15 of 33 report with the Secretary of State and send a copy of the report to each candidate whose name or likeness is included in the activity without that candidate’s knowledge.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 25 of 42 (c) On or before November 15, 2025, the Secretary shall submit a written report to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 16 of 33 Affairs and the Senate Committee on Government Operations with the findings of the audits.
§§ 2602a 2602a is amended to read:
(2)(A) If a list of nominees is not delivered to the county clerk within two business days, the clerk shall notify the appropriate candidates that they BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 26 of 42 have 24 hours to submit lists of nominees for disinterested individuals to serve on the recount committee.
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 17 of 33 * * * (b)(1) The Superior Court shall make a minimum of 12 appointments to the recount committee from among those nominated under this section, with the number of appointments based on the number of votes to be recounted and a goal of completing the recount within one day.
CASTING MORE THAN ONE BALLOT A legal voter who knowingly casts more than one ballot at any one time of balloting votes more than once in any election held in this State, or who votes in both this State and another state or territory in the same or equivalent election for the same office shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 if the BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 27 of 42 offense is committed at a primary or general election, and not more than $100.00 if committed at a local election.
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 18 of 33 Sec.
In such case, supplementary petitions may be filed not BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 28 of 42 later than 10 days after the date for filing petitions.
However, supplementary VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 19 of 33 petitions shall not be accepted if petitions with signatures of different persons totaling at least the required number were not received by the filing deadline.
* * * VTBILL LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 2029 of 3342 (e) For any nomination made under this section, the chair and secretary of the committee or caucus shall file the statement required by section 2385 of this title by 5:00 p.m.
* * * VTBILL LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 2130 of 3342 Sec.
§§ 2546 2546 is amended to read:
§§ 2703 2703 is amended to read:
However, supplementary petitions shall not be accepted if petitions with the VTBILL LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 2231 of 3342 signatures of at least 1,000 persons were not filed by the deadline for filing petitions set forth in section 2702 of this chapter.
§§ 310 310 is amended to read:
VTBILL LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 2332 of 3342 (A) councils or similar groups established by the Governor for the sole purpose of advising the Governor with respect to policy;
§§ 863 863 is amended to read:
ANNUAL MEETINGS * * * VTBILL LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 2433 of 3342 (b)(1) When a town so votes, it may thereafter start its annual meeting on any of the three days immediately preceding the first Tuesday in March at such time as it elects and may transact at that time any business not involving voting by Australian ballot or voting required by law to be by ballot and to be held on the first Tuesday in March.
* * * VTBILL LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 2534 of 3342 (D) A voter may withdraw his or her the voter’s name from a petitioned article at any time prior to the signing of the warning by a majority of the legislative body.
* * * VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 26 of 33 § 2651a.
ELIMINATION OF OFFICE BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 35 of 42 (a)(1) A town may vote by Australian ballot at an annual or special meeting to authorize the selectboard to appoint a first constable, and if needed a second constable, in which case at least a first constable shall be appointed.
[Repealed.] * * * VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 27 of 33 § 2651d.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 36 of 42 (2) A collector of delinquent taxes so appointed may be removed by the legislative body for just cause after notice and hearing The appointment of a collector of delinquent taxes shall be for a one-year term.
VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 28 of 33 (2) A treasurer so appointed may be removed by the legislative body for just cause after notice and hearing The appointment of a municipal treasurer shall be for a one-year term.
VALIDATION OF MUNICIPAL MEETINGS When any of the requirements as to notice or warning of an annual or special municipal meeting have been omitted or not complied with, the BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 37 of 42 omission or noncompliance, if the meeting and the business transacted at it is otherwise legal and within the scope of the municipal powers, may be corrected and legalized by vote at a regular meeting or special meeting of the municipality called and duly warned for that purpose.
The question to be voted upon shall substantially be, “Shall the action taken at the meeting of this town (or city, village or district) held on (state date) in spite of the fact that (state the error or omission), and any act or action of the municipal officers or agents pursuant thereto be readopted, ratified, and confirmed.” Errors or omissions in the conduct of an original meeting that are not the result of an unlawful notice or warning or noncompliance within the scope of the warning, including technical errors within the content of a ballot, may be cured by a resolution of the legislative body of the municipality by a vote of two-thirds of all its members at a regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose, stating that the defect was the result of oversight, inadvertence, or VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 29 of 33 mistake.
Australian Ballot System * * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 38 of 42 Sec.
* * * VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 30 of 33 § 2681.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 39 of 42 (B) A candidate shall be registered to vote in the town he or she the candidate is seeking office at or before the time of filing the petition.
§§ 2485 2485 is amended to read:
Thereafter VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 31 of 33 at At each subsequent annual meeting, a member of such the prudential committee shall be elected for the term of three years.
A vacancy in such the committee may be filled at an annual meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose, but the selectboard legislative body of the town municipality in which such the BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 40 of 42 district is located may fill a vacancy in such the committee until an election by the appointment of a resident of such the district.
Notice of this vacancy shall be posted by the legislative body in at least two public places in the VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 32 of 33 municipality, and in and near the municipal clerk’s office, within 10 days of after the creation of the vacancy.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 41 of 42 § 963.
(c) If there are no selectboard members in office, the Secretary of State shall call a special election to fill any vacancies and for that interim shall appoint and authorize the town municipal clerk or another qualified person to VT LEG #382153 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.474 Page 33 of 33 draw orders for payment of continuing obligations and necessary expenses until the vacancies are filled.
§§ 1529 1529 is amended to read:
FIRST CONSTABLE AS COLLECTOR The first constable, if elected, shall be collector of State, county, town, and town school district taxes when a collector of taxes is not appointed or elected BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.474 Page 42 of 42 at the annual town meeting, and shall pay over the taxes collected agreeably to the warrants for their collection.
§§ 1936a 1936a is amended to read:
VT LEG #382153 v.1
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Amendments
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Action History
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House message: Governor approved bill on June 25, 2025
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Signed by Governor on June 25, 2025
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Delivered to the Governor on June 19, 2025
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House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
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Rep. McCoy of Poultney moved to deliver the bill to the Governor forthwith, which was agreed to
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Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
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Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration, pending entry on Notice Calendar, as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
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Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
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Rules suspended & action messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Collamore
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Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
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Rules suspended & bill placed on all remaining stages of passage, on motion of Senator Collamore
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3rd reading ordered
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Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations, as amended, agreed to
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Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations amended as moved by Senator(s) Collamore
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Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Collamore for Committee on Government Operations
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Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
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Second Reading
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Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
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Second Reading
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Entered on Notice Calendar
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Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government Operations
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Read third time and passed
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Action Calendar: Third Reading
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Third Reading ordered
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Rep. McCoy of Poultney, Toof of St. Albans Town, and Higley of Lowell moved to amend the bill, which was agreed to
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Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 36, Nays = 107
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Rep. Houghton of Essex Junction demanded yeas and nays
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Division demanded
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Rep. Sibilia of Dover, Donahue of Northfield, Headrick of Burlington, and Lipsky of Stowe moved to amend the bill
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Rep. Waters Evans of Charlotte spoke for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
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Read second time
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Action Calendar: Committee bill for second reading
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Action Calendar: Action postponed until 3/25/2025
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Rep. Birong of Vergennes moved to postpone action until 3/25/2025, which was agreed to
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Action Calendar: Action postponed until 3/20/2025
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Rep. Birong of Vergennes moved to postpone action until 3/20/2025, which was agreed to
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Action Calendar: Committee bill for second reading
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Notice Calendar: Committee bill for second reading
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Committee bill read the first time and placed on Notice Calendar of 3/18/2025
Sponsors
- House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 189 not signed on · 101 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (189)
189 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 189 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 15 | 34 | 0 | 3 |
| Democrat | 13 | 65 | 0 | 3 |
| Progressive/Democrat | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican/Democrat | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 36 | 107 | 0 | 7 |
| % of votes cast | 24% | 71% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (150)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Casey | — | Nay |
| Casey | — | Nay |
| Hooper | — | Nay |
| Hooper | — | Nay |
| White | — | Nay |
| White | — | Nay |
| Abbey Duke | Democrat | Yea |
| Alice M. M Emmons | Democrat | Nay |
| Alyssa Black | Democrat | Nay |
| Amy D Sheldon | Democrat | Nay |
| Angela Arsenault | Democrat | Nay |
| Barbara Rachelson | Democrat | Nay |
| Bram Kleppner | Democrat | Nay |
| Brian Minier | Democrat | Nay |
| Bridget M Burkhardt | Democrat | Nay |
| Carol Ode | Democrat | Nay |
| Charles A Kimbell | Democrat | Nay |
| Chea Waters Evans | Democrat | Nay |
| Christopher Morrow | Democrat | Nay |
| Daisy Berbeco | Democrat | Nay |
| Daniel A Noyes | Democrat | Nay |
| Dara Torre | Democrat | Nay |
| David K Durfee | Democrat | Nay |
| David W Yacovone | Democrat | Yea |
| Doug Bishop | Democrat | Nay |
| Edward "Teddy" Waszazak | Democrat | Nay |
| Edye Graning | Democrat | Nay |
| Ela Chapin | Democrat | Yea |
| Elizabeth L Burrows | Democrat | Yea |
| Emilie K Kornheiser | Democrat | Nay |
| Emilie Krasnow | Democrat | Nay |
| Emily Carris Duncan | Democrat | Yea |
| Emily J Long | Democrat | Nay |
| Erin Brady | Democrat | Nay |
| Esme Cole | Democrat | Nay |
| Gayle S Pezzo | Democrat | Nay |
| Golrang "Rey" Garofano | Democrat | Nay |
| Heather Surprenant | Democrat | Nay |
| Herb Olson | Democrat | Nay |
| Ian Goodnow | Democrat | Nay |
| James W Masland | Democrat | Nay |
| Jill L Krowinski | Democrat | Not Voting |
| John K O'Brien | Democrat | Yea |
| John L Bartholomew | Democrat | Nay |
| Jonathan Cooper | Democrat | Yea |
| Jubilee McGill | Democrat | Yea |
| Karen N Dolan | Democrat | Nay |
| Kate Lalley | Democrat | Nay |
| Kate McCann | Democrat | Yea |
| Kate Nugent | Democrat | Nay |
| Kathleen C James | Democrat | Nay |
| Kevin "Coach" B Christie | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Kristi C Morris | Democrat | Nay |
| Larry Satcowitz | Democrat | Nay |
| Leanne Harple | Democrat | Nay |
| Leonora Dodge | Democrat | Nay |
| Leslie Goldman | Democrat | Nay |
| Lori Houghton | Democrat | Nay |
| Lucy Boyden | Democrat | Nay |
| Marc B Mihaly | Democrat | Nay |
| Mari K Cordes | Democrat | Nay |
| Martin J LaLonde | Democrat | Nay |
| Mary E. E Howard | Democrat | Nay |
| Mary-Katherine A Stone | Democrat | Nay |
| Matthew J Birong | Democrat | Nay |
| Michael Mrowicki | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Michael Nigro | Democrat | Nay |
| Michelle Bos-Lun | Democrat | Nay |
| Mollie S. S Burke | Democrat | Nay |
| Monique Priestley | Democrat | Nay |
| Peter C Conlon | Democrat | Nay |
| Phil Pouech | Democrat | Yea |
| R. Scott Campbell | Democrat | Nay |
| Rebecca Holcombe | Democrat | Nay |
| Robert Hunter | Democrat | Nay |
| Robin P Scheu | Democrat | Nay |
| Sarah "Sarita" C Austin | Democrat | Nay |
| Saudia LaMont | Democrat | Yea |
| Shawn Sweeney | Democrat | Nay |
| Theresa A Wood | Democrat | Nay |
| Thomas S Stevens | Democrat | Nay |
| Tiffany Bluemle | Democrat | Nay |
| Timothy R. R Corcoran II | Democrat | Nay |
| Trevor J Squirrell | Democrat | Nay |
| Wendy A Critchlow | Democrat | Nay |
| William "Will" Greer | Democrat | Yea |
| Zon Eastes | Democrat | Yea |
| Anne B. B Donahue | Independent | Yea |
| Jed Lipsky | Independent | Yea |
| Joseph Parsons | Independent | Yea |
| Laura H Sibilia | Independent | Yea |
| Troy Headrick | Independent | Yea |
| Brian J Cina | Progressive/Democrat | Yea |
| Chloe Tomlinson | Progressive/Democrat | Yea |
| Kate Logan | Progressive/Democrat | Yea |
| Allen "Penny" R Demar | Republican | Nay |
| Anthony "Tony" Micklus | Republican | Yea |
| Beth M Quimby | Republican | Nay |
| Brenda Steady | Republican | Nay |
| Carolyn W Branagan | Republican | Nay |
| Casey J Toof | Republican | Nay |
| Chris A Taylor | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Brown | Republican | Nay |
| Chris Keyser | Republican | Nay |
| Christopher "Chris" A Pritchard | Republican | Nay |
| Christopher Howland | Republican | Nay |
| David "Dave" Bosch | Republican | Nay |
| Deborah "Debbie" C Dolgin | Republican | Nay |
| Debra L Powers | Republican | Nay |
| Eileen G Dickinson | Republican | Nay |
| Eric Maguire | Republican | Not Voting |
| Francis M McFaun | Republican | Nay |
| Gina M Galfetti | Republican | Yea |
| Gregory "Greg" Burtt | Republican | Nay |
| James A Gregoire | Republican | Nay |
| Jim F Harrison | Republican | Nay |
| John Kascenska | Republican | Nay |
| Joseph "Joe" Luneau | Republican | Yea |
| Joshua Dobrovich | Republican | Yea |
| Kenneth "Ken" L Wells | Republican | Not Voting |
| Kenneth W Goslant | Republican | Nay |
| Kevin C Winter | Republican | Nay |
| Larry Labor | Republican | Yea |
| Leland J Morgan | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa A Hango | Republican | Nay |
| Mark A Higley | Republican | Yea |
| Martha A Feltus | Republican | Yea |
| Mary A. A Morrissey | Republican | Yea |
| Matt E Walker | Republican | Not Voting |
| Michael "Mike" Southworth | Republican | Yea |
| Michael "Mike" Tagliavia | Republican | Nay |
| Michael Boutin | Republican | Nay |
| Michael J Marcotte | Republican | Yea |
| Michael R Morgan | Republican | Nay |
| Patricia A McCoy | Republican | Nay |
| Richard J Bailey | Republican | Nay |
| Richard M Nelson | Republican | Yea |
| Rob North | Republican | Nay |
| Sandra "Sandy" H Pinsonault | Republican | Nay |
| Thomas "Tom" F Charlton | Republican | Nay |
| Thomas B Burditt | Republican | Yea |
| Todd Nielsen | Republican | Nay |
| VL L Coffin IV | Republican | Nay |
| Wayne A Laroche | Republican | Yea |
| William P Canfield | Republican | Nay |
| Woodman H Page | Republican | Nay |
| Zachary J Harvey | Republican | Nay |
| Alicia Malay | Republican/Democrat | Nay |
| Ashley R Bartley | Republican/Democrat | Nay |
| Thomas Oliver | Republican/Democrat | Not Voting |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors H 474?
- H 474 is sponsored by House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs.
- What is the current status of H 474?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 14, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track H 474?
- Track H 474 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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