House Democrats Advance Bill to Protect Voters and Election Officials
, on Feb 06, 2026
Montpelier, VT – Vermont House Democrats today highlighted House passage of 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.
The press conference, held in the Cedar Creek Room at the Vermont Statehouse, featured Rep. Ian Goodnow (Windham-9) and Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, who spoke about the need to safeguard elections and those who administer them.
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."
Goodnow, an attorney, prosecutor, and Justice of the Peace who assists with elections in Brattleboro, noted the legislation reflects real-world concerns facing election workers.
"Vermonters deserve to know their elections are safe and that the people running them are protected," he said. "This bill helps ensure both."
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. Lawmakers expressed optimism about advancing the measure and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Vermont's democratic institutions.
The press conference can be rewatched on the Vermont House Democrats Facebook page for a limited time.
# # #
CONTACT
Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone
Assistant Majority Leader-External Communications
Vermont House Democrats
mstone@leg.state.vt.us
The press conference, held in the Cedar Creek Room at the Vermont Statehouse, featured Rep. Ian Goodnow (Windham-9) and Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, who spoke about the need to safeguard elections and those who administer them.
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."
Goodnow, an attorney, prosecutor, and Justice of the Peace who assists with elections in Brattleboro, noted the legislation reflects real-world concerns facing election workers.
"Vermonters deserve to know their elections are safe and that the people running them are protected," he said. "This bill helps ensure both."
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. Lawmakers expressed optimism about advancing the measure and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Vermont's democratic institutions.
The press conference can be rewatched on the Vermont House Democrats Facebook page for a limited time.
# # #
CONTACT
Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone
Assistant Majority Leader-External Communications
Vermont House Democrats
mstone@leg.state.vt.us