Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed S. 298, an omnibus elections bill, into law on June 8, 2026. The Vermont General Assembly, which adjourned its 2026 regular session on May 29, had previously passed the bill.

The final version of S. 298 passed the Vermont Senate on May 14, and the Vermont House of Representatives passed it on May 20. The legislation prohibits state or local voting policies that deny or abridge the right of any U.S. citizen to vote based on race, color, membership in a language minority group, or disability. The bill authorizes the attorney general to file a civil action if a violation of this prohibition is believed to have occurred.

S. 298 also allows candidates to use campaign funds for security systems, protective details, or cybersecurity. Vermont became the seventh state in 2026 to enact legislation permitting campaign funds for security purposes, following Alabama, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.

The bill prohibits individuals from intentionally or recklessly intimidating, threatening, coercing, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, or coerce an election official or another voter. It also requires individuals seeking a municipality's voter list to swear they will not use it for commercial purposes or disclose its contents to a federal agency or foreign government.

Furthermore, S. 298 requires the State Ethics Commission to provide materials informing candidates how to accurately complete and submit the candidate disclosure form, and outlining penalties for failing to properly file the form. The State Ethics Commission is prohibited from taking enforcement action against candidates who delinquently file disclosures through May 30, 2027.

Historical data shows that in 2025, Vermont enacted three election-related bills, and in 2023, eight such bills were enacted. No election-related bills were enacted in Vermont during 2024.