reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
17 V.S.A. § 2542
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2542. Signing certificate

§ 2542. Signing certificate|(a) There shall be printed on the face of the envelope provided for use in returning early voter absentee ballots a certificate in substantially the following form:    "Early or Absentee Voter Ballots of ___________________________"       (print your name)                I, ____________________________, solemnly swear or affirm that I am a resident of the town (city) of ________________, State of Vermont, and that I am a legal voter  in this town (city).                                                                        ___________________________                                                                                     (your signature) (b) The early or absentee voter must sign the certificate on the outside of the envelope in order for the ballot to be valid. When an early or absentee voter is physically unable to sign his or her name, he or she may mark an "X" or take an oath swearing or affirming to the statement on the certificate. The officers who deliver the ballots shall witness the mark or oath and sign their names with a statement attesting to this fact on the envelope. (Added 1977, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1979, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 72; 1993, No. 80, § 3; 2001, No. 6, § 12(a), (b), eff. April 10, 2001; 2003, No. 59, § 28.)
17 V.S.A. § 2543a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2543a. Provision of secure ballot drop boxes

§ 2543a. Provision of secure ballot drop boxes|(a) A board of civil authority may vote to install one or more secure outdoor ballot drop boxes (drop boxes) for the return of voted ballots.(b) Drop boxes shall be located on municipal property. If a town has only one drop box, it shall be located on the property of the municipal clerk's office.(c) Drop boxes shall allow for the return of ballots by voters at any time of day and must be available for the return of ballots not later than 43 days before the election.(d) Drop boxes shall be installed and maintained in accordance with guidance issued by the Secretary of State's office. At a minimum, drop boxes shall:  (1) be affixed to a foundation or other immovable object such that they cannot be removed without being tampered with; (2) be under 24-hour video surveillance or in the alternative be within sight of the municipal building; (3) be constructed in such a manner that it is impossible to remove the ballots without the ballot box being tampered with; and (4) be able to be closed such that ballots may not be deposited once the deadline for deposit has passed.   (e)(1) Ballots may be deposited in the drop boxes until the close of business on the day before the election. At the close of business, the drop box shall be closed and instructions affixed to the drop box instructing the voter to return the voter's voted ballot to the polling place on the day of the election.  (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, a board of civil authority may vote to allow ballots to be deposited in the drop boxes until not later than the closing of the polls on election day.   (f) The Secretary of State's office shall provide drop boxes to a town or city upon request following a vote of the board of civil authority. The maximum number of drop boxes that the Secretary of State's office shall provide in any town or city shall be as follows:  (1) up to 5,000 registered voters, one; (2) between 5,000 and 10,000 registered voters, two; (3) between 10,000 and 15,000 registered voters, three; (4) between 15,000 and 20,000 registered voters, four; and (5) over 20,000 registered voters, five. (6) A town or city may have a number of secure drop boxes equal to the number of representative districts in that town or city, with one drop box located in each district, if that number is greater than the number allowed based on that town or city's number of registered voters in subdivisions (1)-(5) of this subsection. If there is not suitable municipal property for the location of a secure drop box in the area covered by a certain district in the town or city, an alternative location may be used with the approval of the Secretary of State's office. (Added 2021, No. 60, § 11, eff. June 7, 2021.)
17 V.S.A. § 2546a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2546a. Deposit of early voter absentee ballots in vote tabulator

§ 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.)
17 V.S.A. § 2546b
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2546b. Early voting in town clerk's office; deposit into vote tabulator

§ 2546b. Early voting in town clerk's office; deposit into vote tabulator|(a)(1) A board of civil authority may vote to permit its town's registered early or absentee voters to vote in the town clerk's office in the same manner as those voting on election day by marking their early voter absentee ballots and depositing them into a vote tabulator or secure ballot box.  (2) If a board of civil authority votes to permit early voting as described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the town's process for conducting this early voting shall conform to the provisions of this section and to procedures that the Secretary of State shall adopt for this purpose.   (b)(1) During business hours in the town clerk's office, the secure ballot box or vote tabulator and ballot bin shall be in a secured area accessible only to election officials and voters. The vote tabulator unit shall be secured with an identifiable seal and the ballot box containing voted ballots shall remain locked at all times and secured with an identifiable seal. Neither seal shall be broken prior to the time of closing the polls on election day.  (2) Once early voting has commenced in the town clerk's office, the town clerk or designee shall certify each day in a record prepared for this purpose that the seals on the vote tabulator and secure ballot box are intact. (3) When an election official is not present or at times other than business hours, the secure ballot box or sealed vote tabulator and ballot bin shall be secured in the town clerk's office vault. (4) The town clerk shall maintain a record of each early or absentee voter who voted in person in accordance with this section and shall mark these voters as having voted early in the clerk's office in the online election management system.   (c) On the day of the election:  (1) The secure ballot box or sealed vote tabulator and ballot bin shall be transferred to the polling place on election day by two election officials and shall not be opened until the polls have closed on election day. (2) When the vote tabulator is turned on at the polling place, the town clerk shall verify that the number of ballots that the vote tabulator displays as having been counted matches the number of voters who deposited their early voter absentee ballots in the vote tabulator in accordance with this section and any early voter absentee ballots that were processed and deposited in the vote tabulator under section 2546a of this subchapter. (3) All early voter absentee ballots shall be commingled with those voted at the polls on election day prior to being examined for the purpose of identifying write-in votes. (Added 2019, No. 67, § 14, eff. July 1, 2020; amended 2021, No. 60, § 15, eff. June 7, 2021.)
17 V.S.A. § 2548
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2548. Voting in person

§ 2548. Voting in person|(a) Prior to the opening of the polls, the municipal clerk shall provide the election officials of each polling place with a list of the names of all persons who have voted early in the clerk's office or marked and returned early voter absentee ballots, and these persons shall not thereafter vote in person in the same election.(b)(1) A voter who has been issued an early ballot, either by the Secretary of State's office pursuant to section 2537a of this subchapter or otherwise by the town clerk, but who has not returned the voter's voted ballot to the clerk, may vote in person at the polling place on election day.  (2) If the voter brings the voter's marked ballot enclosed in the signed certificate envelope, the voter may submit that certificate envelope containing the voted ballot to the entrance checklist official for processing along with any other early or absentee ballots. The voter shall be marked off the checklist and the clerk shall record the voter as having returned the absentee ballot on election day in the online election management system. (3) If the voter brings the marked ballot, but it is not enclosed in the certificate envelope, the voter shall be marked off the checklist and be allowed to cast that ballot into the secure ballot box or tabulator in the same manner as other voters who are voting in the polling place. The clerk shall record any such voter as having voted in person on election day in the online election management system. (4) If the voter brings the unmarked ballot, the voter shall be marked off the checklist and allowed to proceed to a voting booth to mark that ballot and cast it into the ballot box or tabulator in the same manner as other voters who are voting in the polling place. The presiding officer may choose to provide any such voter with a new ballot in exchange for the unvoted ballot that the voter brought to the polls. The clerk shall record any such voter as having voted in person on election day in the online election management system. (5) If the voter does not bring a marked or an unmarked ballot with them to the polls, the voter shall be required to sign an affidavit that the voter has not previously cast a ballot in the election and only then shall they be checked off the checklist and allowed to vote in the same manner as all other voters who are voting at the polling place. The clerk shall record any such voter as having voted in person on election day in the online election management system. Any affidavits signed by voters at the polling place pursuant to this section shall be retained for a period of 90 days following the election. (Added 1977, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 6, § 12(a), (b), eff. April 10, 2001; 2007, No. 54, § 8c; 2017, No. 50, § 35; 2021, No. 60, § 17, eff. June 7, 2021.)
17 V.S.A. § 2549
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2549. Use of federal war ballot

§ 2549. Use of federal war ballot|In addition to and supplementing the provisions of this title, the provisions of any federal statute for a federal war ballot and for procedures affecting and facilitating voting by members of the military service of the United States are hereby authorized for use in this State. (Added 1977, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
17 V.S.A. § 2550
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2550. Early or absentee voters deemed "present and voting"

§ 2550. Early or absentee voters deemed "present and voting"|A voter voting by early voter absentee ballot shall be deemed as "present and voting," for purposes of any provision in which the phrase "present and voting" is used in the Vermont Statutes Annotated or in the acts of the General Assembly. (Added 1977, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 6, § 12(a), (b), eff. April 10, 2001.)
17 V.S.A. § 2555
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2555. Provisional ballot envelopes

§ 2555. Provisional ballot envelopes|The clerk shall deliver to each polling place on the date of the election a sufficient number of provisional ballot envelopes printed with a voter attestation. The attestation shall include:  (1) A statement informing the applicant of the requirements for voter eligibility set forth in section 2121 of this title and space for the provisional voter to provide the information necessary for the town clerk to determine eligibility, including a place for the applicant to swear or affirm, by checking the appropriate box, that he or she meets all voter eligibility requirements set forth in section 2121 of this title and the signature of the provisional voter signed under penalty of perjury. In addition, the attestation shall include the following information:  (A) The provisional voter's place and date of birth. (B) The provisional voter's town of legal residence. (C) The provisional voter's street address or a description of the physical location of the applicant's residence. The description must contain sufficient information so that the town clerk can determine whether the applicant is a resident of the town.  (2) An attestation by the provisional voter that he or she submitted a properly completed voter application form. The attestation shall be signed by the provisional voter under penalty of perjury. (3) Space on the application for documentation of the town clerk's action. (4) A statement informing the provisional voter: "If you choose to vote by provisional ballot, after the close of the polls, the town clerk will determine whether you meet all eligibility requirements. If the clerk denies your application, he or she will inform you that the application has been denied."  (Added 2003, No. 59, § 30, eff. June 7, 2003; amended 2015, No. 44, § 11, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; 2017, No. 50, § 36.)
17 V.S.A. § 2556
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2556. Provisional voting

§ 2556. Provisional voting|(a) If an individual's name does not appear on the checklist and the individual claims to have submitted an application for the checklist and refuses to complete a new application in accordance with subdivision 2563(2) of this chapter, or if the individual's registration application has been rejected and the individual disputes that rejection, the election official shall allow the individual to vote provisionally.(b) The provisional voter shall be given a ballot and an envelope with an attestation printed upon it, as described in section 2555 of this title, and shall complete the attestation on the envelope. Upon completion, the provisional voter shall seal the envelope and deposit it in a ballot box marked for the receipt of provisional ballots.(c) A provisional voter who makes a false statement in completing the attestation, knowing the statement to be false, shall be subject to the penalties of perjury as provided in 13 V.S.A. chapter 65. (Added 2003, No. 59, § 30, eff. June 7, 2003; amended 2007, No. 54, § 9; 2015, No. 44, § 12, eff. Jan. 1, 2017.)
17 V.S.A. § 2557
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2557. Town clerk approval of provisional voter attestation

§ 2557. Town clerk approval of provisional voter attestation|(a) The town clerk may make such investigation as he or she deems proper to verify any fact stated in the application. In making the determination whether to accept the provisional voter's attestation, the town clerk shall determine whether the applicant meets all of the registration eligibility requirements. However, the town clerk may not require a provisional voter to complete any form other than that approved under section 2555 of this title; nor may the board of civil authority require all provisional voters or any particular class or group of provisional voters to appear personally before a meeting of the board or routinely or as a matter of policy require provisional voters to submit additional information to verify or otherwise support the information contained in the attestation.(b) Within two days after the close of the polls, the town clerk shall inform each provisional voter of his or her action on a provisional voter's attestation. If the clerk rejects a provisional voter, the clerk shall also notify the provisional voter immediately of his or her reasons by first-class mail directed to the address given in the application.(c) When the town clerk approves a provisional voter's attestation, the town clerk shall note his or her approval in the space provided on the envelope, photocopy the affidavit from all provisional envelopes, place all provisional envelopes with the official return of vote, and send all information to the Secretary of State in a manner prescribed by the Secretary.(d) Upon receipt of the official return of vote that contains provisional envelopes from any town clerk, the Secretary shall open all envelopes that were approved by the municipal clerk, deposit the ballot in a ballot box, and count all approved ballots, adding the totals to the statewide count for federal offices. (Added 2003, No. 59, § 30, eff. June 7, 2003.)
17 V.S.A. § 2561
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2561. Hours of voting; extended hours

§ 2561. Hours of voting; extended hours|(a) At all elections using the Australian ballot system, the polls may open no earlier than 5:00 a.m. and shall open no later than 10:00 a.m. as set by the board of civil authority in each town. The polls in all polling places shall close at 7:00 p.m.(b) If at the hour of closing there are any qualified voters at the polling place desiring to vote, who have been unable to do so since appearing there, the polls shall be kept open long enough after the hour of closing to allow those present a reasonable opportunity to vote. A person not present at the hour of closing shall not be entitled to vote, although the polls may not actually be closed when he or she arrives. (Added 1977, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1979, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 75; 2003, No. 59, § 31; 2007, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 10.)
17 V.S.A. § 2562
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2562. Presiding officer to assign duties to election officials

§ 2562. Presiding officer to assign duties to election officials|At each polling place, the presiding officer shall assign specific duties to each election official present. Insofar as practical, he or she shall assign election officials to work in pairs, with each pair containing members from different political parties. (Added 1977, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
17 V.S.A. § 2563
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 51 - Conduct of Elections|§ 2563. Admitting voter

§ 2563. Admitting voter|Before a person may be admitted to vote, he or she shall announce his or her name and, if requested, his or her place of residence in a clear and audible tone of voice, or present his or her name in writing, or otherwise identify himself or herself by appropriate documentation. The election officials attending the entrance of the polling place shall then verify that the person's name appears on the checklist for the polling place.  (1) If the name does appear, and if no one immediately challenges the person's right to vote on grounds of identity or having previously voted in the same election, the election officials shall repeat the name of the person and:  (A)(i) If the checklist indicates that the person is a first-time voter in the municipality who registered by mail or online, whose driver's license, nondriver identification number, or last four digits of his or her Social Security number provided by the applicant have not been verified by the Secretary of State, and who has not provided required identification before the opening of the polls, require the person to present any one of the following: a valid photo identification; a copy of a current utility bill; a copy of a current bank statement; or a copy of a government check, paycheck, or any other government document that shows the current name and address of the voter.  (ii) If the person is unable to produce the required information, the person shall be afforded the opportunity to complete a new application for addition to the checklist in accordance with section 2144 of this title. (iii) The election officials shall note upon the checklist a first-time voter in the municipality who has registered by mail and who produces the required information, and place a mark next to the voter's name on the checklist and allow the voter to proceed to the voting booth for the purpose of voting.  (B) If the voter is not a first-time voter in the municipality, no identification shall be required. The clerk shall place a check next to the voter's name on the checklist and allow the voter to proceed to the voting booth for the purpose of voting.  (2) If the name does not appear, the person shall be afforded the opportunity to complete an application for addition to the checklist in accordance with section 2144 of this title. (Added 1977, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1981, No. 239 (Adj. Sess.), § 44; 2003, No. 59, § 32; 2015, No. 44, § 13, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; 2017, No. 50, § 37.)