02/05/2026
House Democrats Advance Bill to Protect Voters and Election Officials
Vermont House Democrats have highlighted H.541, An act relating to interference with voters and election officials. This legislation strengthens protections for voters, election workers, and the electoral process in Vermont.
H.541 was drafted in response to concerns raised by the Secretary of State and would create a new criminal statute in Title 17 addressing intentional or reckless interference with voters, election officials, or the electoral process. The bill is modeled on a similar federal statute and is necessary because the federal law does not apply to interference in state or local elections.
Rep. Goodnow emphasized that the bill carefully balances election protection with constitutional rights. “H.541 sits at the nexus of two fundamental democratic principles: the right to vote unobstructed and the right to free political speech,” said Goodnow. “This is a narrowly tailored bill that gives the State tools to prosecute intentional interference with voters or election officials while protecting First Amendment rights.”
Secretary of State Copeland Hanzas stressed the importance of maintaining safe and accessible elections. “Our responsibility is to ensure every eligible Vermonter can vote freely and that every vote is counted fairly,” said Copeland Hanzas. “This legislation helps ensure voters and election workers can participate in our democratic process without fear of intimidation, harassment, or disruption. That protection is essential to public trust.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Let Senators Brock ([email protected]) and Norris ([email protected]) know that they need to support this legislation.
Vermont House Democrats have highlighted H.541, An act relating to interference with voters and election officials. This legislation strengthens protections for voters, election workers, and the electoral process in Vermont.
H.541 was drafted in response to concerns raised by the Secretary of State and would create a new criminal statute in Title 17 addressing intentional or reckless interference with voters, election officials, or the electoral process. The bill is modeled on a similar federal statute and is necessary because the federal law does not apply to interference in state or local elections.
Rep. Goodnow emphasized that the bill carefully balances election protection with constitutional rights. “H.541 sits at the nexus of two fundamental democratic principles: the right to vote unobstructed and the right to free political speech,” said Goodnow. “This is a narrowly tailored bill that gives the State tools to prosecute intentional interference with voters or election officials while protecting First Amendment rights.”
Secretary of State Copeland Hanzas stressed the importance of maintaining safe and accessible elections. “Our responsibility is to ensure every eligible Vermonter can vote freely and that every vote is counted fairly,” said Copeland Hanzas. “This legislation helps ensure voters and election workers can participate in our democratic process without fear of intimidation, harassment, or disruption. That protection is essential to public trust.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Let Senators Brock ([email protected]) and Norris ([email protected]) know that they need to support this legislation.
