Vermont committee considers S.298 to codify federal voting-rights protections ahead of possible Supreme Court changes

The Government Operations & Military Affairs committee met April 15 to consider S.298, a bill to codify core federal Voting Rights Act protections into Vermont statute so they remain in effect for 2026 regardless of any upcoming Supreme Court decisions.

Ben Williams, senior policy counsel at FairVote Action, told the committee that lawmakers intentionally pared back earlier drafts to mirror existing federal law and avoid changing burdens on town clerks and state agencies in an election year. "By passing S.298 and incorporating the federal provisions into your own state code, you would have those protections for this year regardless of what the Supreme Court does, later this spring or this summer," Williams said.

Why it matters: witnesses and agency staff said a pending U.S. Supreme Court case arising out of Louisiana (referred to in testimony as Calais) could change how vote‑dilution claims and other Voting Rights Act safeguards are interpreted. Committee members asked for specifics; Williams and the elections director said the most likely areas at risk include vote‑dilution standards, remedies, and some voter‑assistance provisions.

Sean Chien, elections director at the Secretary of State's office, urged caution about sweeping changes in an election year but supported a streamlined, narrowly tailored bill. He said codifying federal protections would give clerks and voters greater certainty if the Court alters federal law. "We want Vermonters to be assured that existing election rules and procedures will remain as consistent as possible over the next 6 and a half months," Chien said.

Committee discussion also touched on which federal elements to mirror now and which to reserve for later deliberation. Witnesses recommended leaving more ambitious or Vermont‑specific expansions—such as comprehensive changes to assistance rules or additional affirmative protections—for a non‑election year so the legislature can deliberate without disrupting ongoing election administration.

Next steps: committee members said staff will continue drafting refined language and schedule follow‑up testimony to resolve drafting questions and possible technical edits before further action on S.298.