The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 17: Elections

Chapter 035: Offenses Against the Purity of Elections

• Subchapter 001: Penalties upon Officers

• § 1931. Presiding officer receiving illegal vote

  A presiding officer in a local, primary, or general election who knowingly receives and counts a vote from a person not a qualified voter or knowingly receives from a voter, at any one balloting for the same office, more than one vote shall be fined not more than $100.00 if the offense is committed in a local election and not more than $500.00 if in a primary or general election. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 1932. Counting ballots and opening ballot boxes before proper time

  A presiding officer at a primary or general election who allows the ballots for representative to the General Assembly, or State, county, or congressional officers to be counted or, except as provided in section 2499 of this title, the ballot box containing the same to be opened before the closing of the polls shall be fined not more than $200.00 nor less than $20.00. (Amended 1961, No. 198, § 4, eff. July 5, 1961; 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 1933. Nonperformance of duty by public officer

  Except as otherwise provided by this title, a public officer upon whom a duty is imposed by the provisions of this title who willfully neglects to perform such duty or who willfully performs it in such a way as to hinder the object of the provisions of this title shall be fined not more than $500.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• Subchapter 002: Penalties upon Voters

• § 1971. Casting more than one ballot

  A legal voter who knowingly 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 offense is committed at a primary or general election, and not more than $100.00 if committed at a local election. (Amended 2001, No. 5, § 10; 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2025, No. 70, § 20, eff. June 25, 2025.)

• § 1972. Showing ballot

  A voter who, except in cases of assistance as provided in this title, allows the voter’s ballot to be seen by another person with an apparent intention of letting it be known how the voter is about to vote or makes a false statement to the presiding officer at an election as to the voter’s inability to mark the voter’s ballot or places a distinguishing mark on the voter’s ballot shall be fined $1,000.00. (Amended 2001, No. 5, § 11; 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2025, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 8, 2026.)

• § 1973. Repealed. 2025, No. 70, § 21, eff. June 25, 2025.

  (Amended 2001, No. 5, § 12; 2025, No. 70, § 21, eff. June 25, 2025.)

• § 1974. Voter omitted from list, voting in another political subdivision

  A person who is a resident and entitled to vote in a political subdivision in which a checklist of voters has been made previous to an election, whose name, through his or her neglect, is not entered thereon, who votes in another political subdivision at such election shall be fined not more than $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 1975. Interference with voters and election officials

  (a) No person shall intentionally or recklessly intimidate, threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce:

  (1) any other person for the purpose of:

  (A) obstructing the right of the other person to vote or to vote as the other person may choose; or

  (B) causing the other person to vote for, or not to vote for, any candidate for public office or public question at any election; or

  (2) a public servant, an election official, or a public employee for the purpose of obstructing the administration of an election.

  (b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both. (Added 2025, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 8, 2026.)

• § 1976. Impairment of voting rights of registered voters

  Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to deny, impair, or otherwise adversely affect the right to vote of any registered voter. (Added 2025, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 8, 2026.)

• Subchapter 003: Miscellaneous

• § 2011. Perjury before board making checklist

  A person who knowingly swears falsely to a fact or matter that may be the subject of inquiry by the board of civil authority or town clerk in revising the checklist as provided in this title shall be guilty of perjury and imprisoned not more than 15 years or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both. (Amended 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 17; 1981, No. 223 (Adj. Sess.), § 23; 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2012. Procuring change in list wrongfully

  A person who, directly or indirectly, procures or causes to be procured or aids in procuring the name of a person to be inserted on a checklist of voters, knowing such person not to be a voter in the political subdivision for which such list is made or, directly or indirectly, procures or causes to be procured or aids in procuring the name of a person to be erased from such list, knowing him or her to be a legal voter in such political subdivision, shall be fined not more than $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2013. False answer as to right to vote

  A person who knowingly gives a false answer or information to the presiding officer at a local, primary, or general election or to the authority present to decide upon the qualifications of voters, touching a person’s right to vote at such election, shall be fined not more than $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2014. Unqualified person voting

  A person, knowing that he or she is not a qualified voter, who votes at a local, primary, or general election for an officer to be elected at that election shall be fined not more than $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2015. Fraudulent voting

  A person who personates another, living or dead, and gives or offers to give a vote in the name of that other person or gives or offers to give a vote under a fictitious name at a local, primary, or general election for an officer to be elected at that election shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $200.00, or both. (Amended 1981, No. 223 (Adj. Sess.), § 23; 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2016. Aiding unqualified voter to vote

  A person who willfully aids or abets a person who is not a duly qualified voter in voting or attempting to vote at a local, primary, or general election shall be fined not more than $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2017. Undue influence

  A person who attempts by bribery, threats, or any undue influence to dictate, control, or alter the vote of a voter about to be given at a local, primary, or general election shall be fined not more than $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 67, § 5.)

• § 2018. Repealed. 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.

• § 2019. Destroying lists; hindering voting

  A person who, prior to a local, primary, or general election, willfully defaces or destroys any list of candidates posted in accordance with law or, during that election, willfully defaces, tears down, removes, or destroys any card posted for the instruction of voters or, during that election, willfully removes or destroys any of the supplies or conveniences furnished to enable a voter to prepare his or her ballot or willfully hinders the voting of others shall be fined $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2020. Repealed. 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.

• § 2021. Destruction of or fraudulent acts pertaining to primary election documents; alteration or delay of ballots

  A person who falsely makes or willfully defaces or destroys a primary petition, certificate of nomination, or nomination paper or any part thereof, or any letter of assent or of withdrawal, or who files a primary petition, certificate of nomination, nomination paper, letter of assent, or letter of withdrawal knowing the same or any part thereof to be falsely made, or who suppresses a primary petition, certificate of nomination, nomination paper, letter of assent, or letter of withdrawal or any part thereof that has been filed, or forges or falsely makes the official endorsement upon a ballot to be used at a primary or at an election or willfully destroys or defaces such a ballot or willfully delays the delivery of such ballots shall be fined $200.00. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 2022. Repealed. 1997, No. 64, § 21.

• Subchapter 004: Use of Synthetic Media in Elections

• § 2031. Definitions

  As used in this subchapter:

  (1) “Deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media” means synthetic media that appears to a reasonable person to be a realistic representation of:

  (A) a political candidate that injures the reputation of a political candidate; or

  (B) an individual that attempts to unduly influence the outcome of an election, including a public question, by providing materially false information to voters.

  (2) “Synthetic media” means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual’s appearance, speech, or conduct that has been created or intentionally manipulated with the use of digital technology, including artificial intelligence. (Added 2025, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Mar. 5, 2026.)

• § 2032. Disclosure of deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media

  (a) Disclosure. A person shall not, within 90 days before an election in Vermont, publish, communicate, or otherwise distribute synthetic media that the person knows is deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media unless the person includes a disclosure in the synthetic media stating: “This media has been manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur.”

  (1) For deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media consisting of images and video recordings, the text of the disclosure shall appear in a size that is easily readable by the average viewer and inclusive to the greatest extent possible of individuals with disabilities. For video recordings, the disclosure shall appear for the full duration of the video recording.

  (2) For deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media consisting of audio recordings only, the disclosure shall be read in a clearly spoken manner and in a pitch and pace that can be easily heard by the average listener and inclusive to the greatest extent possible of individuals with disabilities, at the beginning of the audio recording, at the end of the audio recording, and, if the audio is greater than two minutes in length, interspersed within the audio recording at intervals of not greater than two minutes each.

  (b) Exceptions. Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to:

  (1) a radio or television broadcasting station, including a cable or satellite television operator, programmer, or producer, or to a website, streaming platform, or mobile application, that:

  (A) broadcasts deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media as part of a bona fide newscast, news interview, news documentary, commentary of general interest, or on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events, provided the broadcast clearly acknowledges through content or a disclosure, in a manner that can be easily heard or read by the average listener or viewer, that there are questions about the authenticity of the deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media;

  (B) is paid to broadcast deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media; or

  (C) is required by federal law to broadcast advertisements from legally qualified candidates;

  (2) a website or a regularly published newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation, including an internet or electronic publication, that routinely carries news and commentary of general interest, and that publishes deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media, if the publication clearly states that the deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media does not accurately represent the speech or conduct of the represented individual;

  (3) a person that produces or distributes deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media constituting satire or parody;

  (4) a provider of a telecommunications service or information service, as those terms are defined in the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. § 153, for content provided by another person; or

  (5) a provider of an interactive computer service, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 230, for content provided by another person. (Added 2025, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Mar. 5, 2026.)

• § 2033. Penalties

  (a) A person that knowingly and intentionally violates a provision of this subchapter shall be fined not more than $1,000.00, unless:

  (1) the person commits the violation with the intent to cause violence or bodily harm, in which case the fine shall be not more than $5,000.00;

  (2) the person commits the violation within five years after one or more prior violations under this section, in which case the fine shall be not more than $10,000.00; or

  (3) the person commits the violation with the intent to cause violence or bodily harm and the person commits the violation within five years after one or more prior violations under this section, in which case the fine shall be not more than $15,000.00.

  (b) A candidate whose appearance, speech, conduct, or environment is misrepresented through the use of deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media in violation of section 2032 of this title may seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the publication, communication, or other distribution of such deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media. (Added 2025, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Mar. 5, 2026.)

• Subchapter 005: Enforcement and Investigation

• § 2041. Enforcement

  In addition to the other remedies provided in this chapter, a State’s Attorney or the Attorney General may institute any appropriate action, injunction, or other proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate any violation of this chapter. (Added 2025, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Mar. 5, 2026.)

• § 2042. Civil investigations

  (a)(1) The Attorney General or a State’s Attorney, whenever there is reason to believe any person to be or to have been in violation of this chapter, may examine or cause to be examined by any designated agent or representative any books, records, papers, memoranda, or physical objects of any nature bearing upon each alleged violation and may demand written responses under oath to questions bearing upon each alleged violation.

  (2) The Attorney General or a State’s Attorney may require the attendance of such person or of any other person having knowledge in the premises in the county where such person resides or has a place of business or in Washington County if such person is a nonresident or has no place of business within the State and may take testimony and require proof material for that person’s information and may administer oaths or take acknowledgment in respect of any book, record, paper, or memorandum.

  (3) The Attorney General or a State’s Attorney shall serve notice of the time, place, and cause of such examination or attendance or notice of the cause of the demand for written responses personally or by certified mail upon such person at that person’s principal place of business or, if such place is not known, to that person’s known address. Such notice shall include a statement that a knowing and intentional violation of this chapter is subject to criminal prosecution.

  (4) Any book, record, paper, memorandum, or other information produced by any person pursuant to this section shall not, unless otherwise ordered by a court of this State for good cause shown, be disclosed to any person other than the authorized agent or representative of the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney or another law enforcement officer engaged in legitimate law enforcement activities unless with the consent of the person producing the same, except that any transcript of oral testimony, written responses, documents, or other information produced pursuant to this section may be used in the enforcement of this chapter, including in connection with any civil action brought under this subchapter or subsection (c) of this section.

  (5) Nothing in this subsection is intended to prevent the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney from disclosing the results of an investigation conducted under this section, including the grounds for the decision as to whether to bring an enforcement action alleging a violation of this chapter or of any rule made pursuant to this chapter.

  (6) This subsection shall not be applicable to any criminal investigation or prosecution brought under the laws of this or any state.

  (b)(1) A person upon whom a notice is served pursuant to the provisions of this section shall comply with its terms unless otherwise provided by the order of a court of this State.

  (2) Any person that, with intent to avoid, evade, or prevent compliance, in whole or in part, with any civil investigation under this section, removes from any place; conceals, withholds, or destroys; or mutilates, alters, or by any other means falsifies any documentary material in the possession, custody, or control of any person subject to such notice or mistakes or conceals any information shall be fined not more than $5,000.00.

  (c)(1) Whenever any person fails to comply with any notice served upon that person under this section or whenever satisfactory copying or reproduction of any such material cannot be done and the person refuses to surrender the material, the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney may file, in the Superior Court in the county in which the person resides or of that person’s principal place of business or in Washington County if the person is a nonresident or has no principal place of business in this State, and serve upon the person a petition for an order of the court for the enforcement of this section.

  (2) Whenever any petition is filed under this section, the court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter so presented and to enter any order or orders as may be required to carry into effect the provisions of this section. Any disobedience of any order entered under this section by any court shall be punished as a contempt of the court.

  (d) Any person aggrieved by a civil investigation conducted under this section may seek relief from Washington Superior Court or the Superior Court in the county in which the aggrieved person resides. Except for cases the court considers to be of greater importance, proceedings before Superior Court as authorized by this section shall take precedence on the docket over all other cases. (Added 2025, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Mar. 5, 2026.)

• Subchapter 006: Voter Protections

• § 2045. Vote denial or dilution

  (a) No voting qualification or prerequisite to voting or standard, practice, or procedure shall be imposed or applied by the State or any municipality in a manner that results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote based on race or color, membership in a language minority group, or having a disability as defined in 9 V.S.A. § 4501.

  (b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section is established if, on the basis of the totality of circumstances, it is shown that the political processes leading to nomination or election in the State or a municipality are not equally open to participation by members of a protected class in that its members have less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political processes or to elect representatives of their choice. The extent to which members of a protected class have been elected to office in the State or municipality is one circumstance that may be considered.

  (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to establish a right to have members of a protected class elected in numbers equal to their proportion in the population.

  (d) As used in this section:

  (1) “Municipality” means a town, city, village, school district, or other political subdivision that holds public elections.

  (2) “Protected class” means a group of citizens protected from discrimination based on race or color, membership in a language minority group, or having a disability as defined in 9 V.S.A. § 4501. (Added 2025, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 8, 2026.)

• § 2046. Civil actions by attorney general

  (a) Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this subchapter has occurred and that the rights of any voter or group of voters have been affected by such violation, the Attorney General may initiate a civil action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county in which the alleged violation has occurred for appropriate relief.

  (b) In such civil action, the court may:

  (1) award such preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation of this title, as is necessary to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this title;

  (2) assess a civil penalty against the respondent of not more than $5,000.00 for a first violation and of not more than $25,000.00 for any subsequent violation; and

  (3) issue an order requiring reimbursement to the State of Vermont for the reasonable value of its services and its expenses in investigating and prosecuting the action. (Added 2025, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 8, 2026.)