Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Secretary of State presenter outlines voter guide mailings, reduced federal grants and $1.8M media request A presenter from the Vermont Secretary of State's office told a legislative committee the office will begin mailing a voter guide to every household in 2026, warned of declining federal HAVA funding, requested a base $450,000 general fund appropriation, and asked for $1.8 million for local media grants and $90,000 for community radio.

Vermont plans to mail a personalized voter guide to every household starting in 2026, aiming to enhance civic engagement amidst dwindling local news coverage.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ElectionTransparency #CivicEngagement #VermontElections #LocalMediaSupport

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1 month ago

Senate adopts Committee of Conference report on S.23 requiring synthetic‑media disclosures ahead of elections The Senate adopted the conference committee’s strike‑all report on S.23 to require disclosures for deceptive synthetic media published within 90 days of an election and to define synthetic media broadly to include depictions of any individual.

Vermont's Senate just took a bold step to combat deceptive synthetic media in elections, mandating clear disclosures to protect voters!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #AccessibilityStandards #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #MediaTransparency

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2 months ago

House adopts committee-of-conference report on bill regulating synthetic media near elections The Vermont House accepted a unanimous committee‑of‑conference strike‑all report on S.23, which narrows the definition of deceptive synthetic media, requires disclosures for deceptive synthetic media published within 90 days of an election, lists exemptions for certain media/hosts, and establishes fines and enforcement authority for civil investigations.

The Vermont House has taken a bold step to regulate synthetic media in elections, introducing strict definitions and penalties to combat deception and protect candidates' reputations.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccountability #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections

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2 months ago

Senate panel hears divided testimony on S.297 to let towns pilot electronic ballot return The Senate Committee on Government Operations heard proponent testimony that S.297 would expand access for voters with disabilities and overseas voters by allowing municipalities to opt in to electronic ballot return with required paper transcriptions and security standards, while municipal clerks and cybersecurity critics warned of malware, vendor risks and implementation challenges. The committee asked for further testimony from town clerks and security experts before advancing the bill.

The debate over S.297 has sparked fierce disagreements on whether allowing electronic ballot returns could enhance voter access or expose serious cybersecurity risks.

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#VT #VotingAccess #CitizenPortal #CivicTransparency #VermontElections #CyberSecurity

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2 months ago

Conference committee tentatively adopts New Hampshire‑style disclosure for synthetic‑media election bill; scope dispute remains A House–Senate committee of conference on S.23 agreed to adopt a concise New Hampshire‑style disclosure for deceptive synthetic media and accepted several Senate edits, but members sharply disagreed over whether protections should cover any depicted individual or only political candidates; counsel warned of a California court ruling raising First Amendment risk.

A pivotal House-Senate committee is reshaping the future of synthetic media in elections, but a fierce debate over who should be protected could change everything!

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#VT #CivicAccountability #MediaDisclosure #CitizenPortal #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections

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2 months ago

Vermont Secretary of State asks legislature for $1.1 million to backfill election-security shortfall, expands support for local civic media Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanses told the House Appropriations Committee the office faces a $728,000 shortfall after federal election grants fell sharply and asked for $1.1 million in FY27 general-fund support (450,000 ongoing, 650,000 backfill). The office also urged expanded funding for local democracy-media grants.

Vermont's Secretary of State warns that declining federal election-security funding could jeopardize vital election services, urging the legislature for $1.1 million to fill the gap.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CivicMediaSupport #VermontElections #ElectionSecurity #PublicTrust

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2 months ago

Committee conference agrees to advance revised election-protection language; signatures pending Members of a Government Operations committee conference agreed to adopt the revised 'a' and 'b' versions of election-protection language and to complete signatures for a formal vote; timing and signature logistics (DocuSign vs. in-person) were left unresolved.

Vermont's Government Operations committee is poised to finalize crucial election-protection measures, but time is ticking before a key senator steps away!

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#VT #ElectionProtection #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #VermontElections #GovernmentTransparency

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2 months ago

Conference committee agrees to adopt revised election-related language; signatures pending A Senate conference committee agreed to adopt revised bill language (the "A and B" versions) after members expressed concern about judicial review; the committee said it will collect signatures and send the report to the House, with formal chamber votes still required.

A Senate committee has taken a significant step toward revising election-related language, balancing stronger protections with legal risks as they prepare to send their report to the House.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections

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2 months ago

House committee amendment advances H.541 to address interference with voters and election officials The Vermont House approved a committee amendment to H.541 to create a state criminal offense targeting intentional or reckless intimidation of voters and election officials, with penalties up to two years in jail or a fine up to $2,000; the bill was ordered to third reading after a favorable committee report.

Vermont is taking a bold step to protect democracy by criminalizing voter intimidation, with penalties that could mean up to two years in prison!

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#VT #DemocracyProtection #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #VermontElections #VotingRights

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2 months ago

House committee signals support for bill to criminalize interference with voters and election officials On Jan. 29 the House Government Operations & Military Affairs committee reviewed H 541, which would create a state criminal offense for intimidating or coercing voters or election officials; presenters said Judiciary narrowed the bill to an "intentionally or recklessly" standard, removed civil investigatory provisions, and proposed penalties of up to two years in prison or a $2,000 fine. The committee held an informal straw poll finding the bill favorable.

Vermont's House committee is moving forward with a bill that could make intimidating voters a criminal offense, aiming to strengthen election integrity.

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#VT #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #VoterProtection #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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2 months ago

House Judiciary reviews draft criminalizing interference with voters and election officials The House Judiciary Committee reviewed draft 2.1 of H.541 to create a new offense for "interference with voters and election officials," debated mens rea language drawn from Counterman v. Colorado (2023), and heard support from election officials and the attorney general's office; no vote was taken.

Vermont's House Judiciary Committee is set to vote on a groundbreaking bill that would criminalize interference with voters, addressing concerns over election integrity and free speech.

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#VT #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #VoterProtection #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Committee reviews S 23 on synthetic media; seeks conference with senate to reconcile language Members questioned a senate edit that broadened the bill from "political candidate" to "individual," debated removal of the word "created" from disclosure language, discussed accessibility wording, and agreed by straw poll to recommend a committee of conference to resolve differences.

Vermont's committee is diving deep into the controversial S 23 bill that could reshape how synthetic media is used in elections, raising crucial questions about transparency and voter influence.

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#VT #DigitalMediaRegulation #VermontElections #AccessibilityInitiatives

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2 months ago

Judiciary Committee reviews H.541 to criminalize interference with voters and election officials On Jan. 14 the Judiciary Committee heard H.541, a bill proposing a new state crime and civil enforcement powers to protect voters and election workers from intimidation, threats and other interference, with proposed penalties up to 2 years in jail and $2,000 fines and a grant of investigatory powers to the attorney general and state's attorneys.

Vermont is stepping up to protect voters and election officials, proposing a new bill that could make voter intimidation a state crime with serious penalties!

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#VT #VermontElections #VotingRights #ElectionSecurity #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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3 months ago

State audit finds minor voter checklist errors after 2022 redistricting; office recommends post-redistricting clerk audits Deputy Secretary of State Lauren Hibbert told the Government Operations & Military Affairs committee that a multi-district audit under Act 70 found three categories of issues — operational redistricting errors, legacy data problems affecting 68 voters across 12 towns, and one isolated household move — and recommended clerk-led post-redistricting audits and continued use of a new election management system.

A recent state audit revealed minor voter checklist errors stemming from the 2022 redistricting, prompting recommendations for immediate post-redistricting audits by town clerks.

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#VT #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #RedistrictingReform #VoterAudits #CitizenPortal

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9 months ago

Vermont lawmakers amend write-in candidate rules for primary and general elections Amended law requires write-in candidates to file consent forms by specific deadlines

Vermont has shaken up the election landscape with new rules that mandate write-in candidates to submit consent forms by strict deadlines!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CandidateTransparency #VermontElections #CivicAccountability #ElectionReform

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9 months ago

Vermont amends candidate nomination rules in H.474 for general election ballot Legislation prohibits candidates losing major party primaries from appearing as independents

Vermont just changed the game for candidates by banning those who lose major party primaries from running as independents!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #PoliticalReform #CivicParticipation

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9 months ago

Senate streamlines write-in candidate rules in bill H 474 approval Senate modifies write-in procedures and absentee ballot definitions in bill H 474.

Vermont is shaking up election rules by streamlining write-in candidate procedures and enhancing absentee ballot access for overseas voters!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VoterAccessibility #VermontElections #BipartisanSupport #ElectionReform

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9 months ago

Vermont Senate revises election law with new transparency and voting provisions Senate Amends H 4 74 to enhance election processes and campaign finance transparency.

The Vermont Senate is on the brink of transforming the electoral process with crucial amendments that promise greater transparency and voter participation!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontElections #CivicAccountability #VotingTransparency #ElectionReform

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9 months ago

Vermont Senate Discusses Ranked Choice Voting and Ballot Access Restrictions Senators debate deletion of ranked choice voting study and independent candidate ballot access limitations.

The Vermont Senate's heated debate over ranked choice voting and restrictions on independent candidates could reshape the state's electoral future.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontElections #BallotAccess #DemocraticParticipation #VotingRegulations

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9 months ago

Senate debates election bill amid concerns of outside funding impact Senators discuss new election bill addressing outside funding and candidate registration rules.

A fierce debate in the Vermont Senate could redefine candidate registration and campaign financing, raising alarms about the potential disenfranchisement of future leaders.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #TransparencyInGovernment #VermontElections #CampaignFinance #DemocraticEngagement

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9 months ago

Vermont Senate passes H 474 election law bill after years of debate Senate finalizes and sends H 474 election law bill to the House for approval

Vermont's Senate has just passed a groundbreaking election law bill after years of debate, promising to enhance fairness and transparency in future elections.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontElections #CivicAccountability #TransparentGovernance #ElectionReform

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9 months ago

House takes immediate action on election law changes via House Bill 474 House considers and suspends rules for immediate review of House Bill 474

Vermont's Legislature is racing to revamp election laws with the swift consideration of House Bill 474—what changes could this mean for your vote?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontElections #DemocracyInnovation #CivicAccountability #ElectionReform

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9 months ago

House debates voting rights amid write-in candidate proposal amendments House members discuss write-in candidate regulations and potential voter rights implications.

Vermont lawmakers are locked in a heated debate over write-in candidate regulations that could reshape voter rights and election clarity.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VoterRepresentation #VermontElections #ElectionProcedure #CivicAccountability

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10 months ago

Vermont House approves S 23 to regulate synthetic media disclosures in elections House passes bill requiring disclosure of AI-generated media within 90 days of elections.

Vermont is taking a bold step to protect election integrity by regulating synthetic media, requiring clear disclosures on AI-generated content just weeks before voting.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #MediaTransparency #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #SyntheticMediaRegulation

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10 months ago

Vermont House proposes synthetic media disclosure bill to protect election integrity House committee recommends Senate amend bill requiring disclosure for synthetic media before elections.

Vermont is taking a stand against election misinformation with a new bill that mandates transparency for AI-generated media just weeks before elections!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ElectionIntegrity #TransparencyAccountability #VermontElections #SyntheticMedia

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10 months ago

Committee reviews elections bill changes ahead of floor vote Committee examines amendments to elections bill in preparation for floor vote tomorrow.

The Senate is gearing up for a crucial vote on a controversial elections bill, with unexpected amendments sparking heated debates among committee members.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontElections #CivicAccountability #ElectionReform #LegislativeTransparency

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10 months ago

Election committee debates write-in vote counting methods for upcoming election bill Committee urges swift approval of senate amendments to avoid election bill expiration

Vermont's election integrity hangs in the balance as lawmakers scramble to finalize write-in vote counting methods before the impending election year.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #LegislativeAction #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #VoteCounting

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10 months ago

Vermont lawmakers expedite AI election regulation amid federal debates Vermont legislators push to pass AI election bill despite possible federal laws looming.

Vermont lawmakers are racing against time to pass crucial AI regulations for elections, fearing federal laws could undermine state control.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #AIRegulation #VermontElections #CivicAccountability #ElectionSecurity

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10 months ago

Council discusses synthetic media regulations for upcoming elections Council explores regulatory strategies for synthetic media usage in elections

Vermont lawmakers are tackling the urgent need for regulations on synthetic media in elections to protect voter integrity and transparency.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #MisinformationManagement #TechnologyInDemocracy

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10 months ago

Oregon lawmakers debate deepfake election policy with constitutional concerns Legislators discuss regulating deepfake videos to protect election integrity in Oregon.

Vermont lawmakers are urgently debating new legislation to regulate deepfake technology during elections, raising critical questions about misinformation and free speech.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #DigitalDemocracy #ElectionIntegrity #VermontElections #MisinformationRegulation