An act relating to the use of the Australian ballot system in local elections

H.78 requires Vermont municipalities to use a secret ballot (Australian ballot system) for electing local officers once they adopt it, and specifies the exact ballot language for such votes. It applies to all cities and towns that choose to implement the system for any or all municipal officers. The bill ensures that 2025 municipal elections using the Australian ballot remain valid even if procedural requirements weren't fully met, and prevents legal challenges to prior elections where only some officers were elected by secret ballot. The law takes effect immediately upon signing, with no new requirements for municipalities that haven't yet voted on the system.