BILL AS INTRODUCED H.117 2025 Page 1 of 2 VT LEG #379180 v.1 H.117 1 Introduced by Representatives Hooper of Burlington, Austin of Colchester, 2 Bishop of Colchester, Branagan of Georgia, Brown of 3 Richmond, Burtt of Cabot, Canfield of Fair Haven, Critchlow of 4 Colchester, Duke of Burlington, Greer of Bennington, Harrison 5 of Chittenden, Howard of Rutland City, Morgan, M. of Milton, 6 and Mrowicki of Putney 7 Referred to Committee on 8 Date: 9 Subject: Elections; nominations 10 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit a 11 candidate who loses a major party primary for any office from appearing on 12 the general election ballot for the same office for which the candidate lost in 13 the primary election as an independent candidate or representing any other 14 party. 15 An act relating to general election candidates 16 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 17 Sec. 1. 17 V.S.A. § 2381 is amended to read: 18 § 2381. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER 19 * * * 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.117 2025 Page 2 of 2 VT LEG #379180 v.1 1 (c) In no event shall a candidate who loses a major party primary be 2 nominated to appear on the general election ballot pursuant to this subchapter 3 by a committee of any party other than the party for which the candidate 4 appeared on the primary ballot. 5 Sec. 2. 17 V.S.A. § 2401 is amended to read: 6 § 2401. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER 7 (a) A person may be nominated and have his or her the person’s name 8 printed on the general election ballot for any office by filing a consent similar 9 in form to the consent prescribed by section 2361 of this title and a statement 10 of nomination with the Secretary of State. In the case of a nomination for 11 justice of the peace, the consent form and statement of nomination shall be 12 filed with the town clerk. 13 (b) A candidate who loses a major party primary for any office shall not 14 appear on the general election ballot as an independent candidate for the same 15 office for which the candidate lost in the primary election. 16 Sec. 3 EFFECTIVE DATE 17 This act shall take effect on passage. 18