H 508 Vermont House · 2023-2024 Regular Session

An act relating to approval of an amendment to the ranked choice voting provisions of the charter of the City of Burlington

This bill approves a charter amendment for the City of Burlington that implements ranked choice voting for local elections. It directly affects voters in Burlington who will now be able to rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting only one. The key provision requires candidates to receive at least 40 percent of the vote to win, with lower-preference votes transferred to remaining candidates if no one reaches that threshold. Once enacted, this system eliminates the need for separate runoff elections for Mayor, City Councilors, school commissioners, and ward election officers. The change takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2023
Committee Review
May 2023
House Passage
May 2023
Senate Passage
May 2023
Signed into Law
May 2023
Introduced Apr 4, 2023 Signed May 12, 2023
Floor votes · Senate May 10, 2023

How they voted

216
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 30
May 10, 2023
D Democratic23
20 Yea 1 Nay 2
86% Yea
R Republican7
1 Yea 5 Nay 1
71% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
7
Committee
5
May 12, 2023
Lower · Passed
Delivered to the Governor on May 22, 2023
lower
May 12, 2023
Lower · Passed
Senate Message: Passed in concurrence
lower
May 10, 2023
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Government Operations
upper
May 10, 2023
Upper · Passed
Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations
upper
May 10, 2023
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (21-6-3)
senate
May 9, 2023
Upper · Passed
Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations
upper
May 8, 2023
Committee
Referred to Committee on Government Operations per Temporary Senate Rule 44A
upper
May 5, 2023
Introduced
Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Rules
upper
May 2, 2023
Lower · Passed
Rep. Hooper of Burlington reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
lower
Apr 4, 2023
Introduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors