Senate Government Operations Committee reviews H.474; preserves random-audit rule and debates write‑in, consent and campaign‑finance changes

Members of the Vermont Senate Committee on Government Operations on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, reviewed draft 3.1 of H.474, a 36‑page miscellaneous election law bill that includes changes to absentee ballot delivery for overseas voters, procedures for counting write‑in votes, and revisions to campaign‑finance reporting.

The bill drew the committee’s attention because it would affect how clerks certify results and how the Secretary of State’s Office handles ballot production and campaign reporting. Counsel said the committee removed language on the randomness of certain tabulation audits to preserve current statutory practice; deputies from the Secretary of State’s Office described proposed triggers for counting write‑in votes and asked for clearer rules and filing timelines to reduce clerks’ operational burdens.

Tim Devlin, committee counsel, said draft 3.1 is “substantially similar” to the prior version but noted one change: “the only thing different is the section 26…that part of the bill has been removed. The significance meaning that current law will be preserved.” That…