The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 17 : Elections

Chapter 051 : Conduct of Elections

Subchapter 006 : Early or Absentee Voters

• § 2546a. Deposit of early voter absentee ballots in vote tabulator

  (a) Generally. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the board of civil authority may vote to permit elections officials to deposit early voter absentee ballots that have been processed in accordance with subsection 2546(a) of this subchapter and have not been deemed defective into the vote tabulator or ballot box in accordance with the provisions of this section and any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Any such depositing of ballots shall take place at the town clerk’s office during the 30 days preceding the election.

  (b) Notice. If a board of civil authority votes to deposit ballots as described in subsection (a) of this section, the process shall be conducted during normal business hours if practicable or, if conducting the process at a time other than normal business hours, notice of the date(s), time(s), and location of the processing shall be posted at the clerk’s office and two other public places at least three days in advance.

  (c) Officials. The town clerk and at least two other election officials, from different political parties to the extent practicable, shall be present for the inspection of the sealed certificate envelopes and the processing of the ballots described in this section.

  (d) Processing. The Secretary of State’s office shall issue detailed procedures for conducting the processing of early ballots into the vote tabulator or ballot box pursuant to this section. A town or city shall follow the procedures issued by the Secretary of State’s office for this purpose.

  (e) Rules. The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. (Added 2015, No. 80 (Adj. Sess.), § 7a, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; amended 2017, No. 50, § 33; 2021, No. 60, § 14, eff. June 7, 2021.)