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VERMONT SECRETARY OF STATE - Deborah L. Markowitz

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Secretary's Desk

Elections Division
Vermont Secretary of State
26 Terrace Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1101
In-State: (800) 439-8683
Outside VT: (802) 828-2464
FAX: 802-828-5171

Help America Vote Act

(Last updated June 23, 2009)

The United States Congress passed election reform legislation, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). This new law requires broad changes to the way Vermont conducts its elections. Most notably HAVA mandates the adoption of a statewide voter checklist, the acceptance of provisional ballots, the purchase of voting machines for every community that allow individuals with disabilities to vote privately and independently. It mandates extensive poll worker and voter education programs. Vermont will be receiving five million dollars to assist the state and municipalities in meeting the new federal mandates. There are two grant programs available.

HAVA Summary (in PDF format)

Grant Opportunity

The Law (PDF format).

Helpful Links

Vermont Draft Legislation
to Implement HAVA 2002
(MS Word)

Final State Plan for HAVA
(MS Word)

VT State Plan to Implement
HAVA - May 16, 2003

2009 Grants for the Improved Administration of Federal Elections

The Improved Administration of Federal Elections Grants are available to towns for equipment or services that will improve the administration of the Primary and General Election in 2010 and future years. The funding is intended for equipment and consultant services to allow town clerks to make optimum use of the statewide voter registration checklist and for other materials that would contribute to the improved administration of federal elections. The grants can be used for desktop computers, laptop computers, printers, installation of a telephone line or internet access at a polling place, purchase of Access or Excel software and training to prepare entrance checklists, track absentee voters, and prepare reports, IT consultant services, installation of broadband or a high speed internet connection in order to have better access to the voter registration checklist, or any other equipment or services needed to improve the administration of the Primary and General Election.

This is the third year this program has been offered. The maximum available per grant is $9,000 combined for this funding period and the previous two grant periods. If you received funding during the previous grant periods, that amount should be subtracted from $9,000 to determine the amount available to you this round. To find out how much you are eligible for, you can go to this file: 2009 Funding List

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is attached. It will also posted at: Improved Administration of Federal Elections. Upon request to Melanie Hodge (802)-828-0175 or by email), a paper copy will be sent. Applications are due July 31, 2009.

Municipal Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities (VOTE)

We are pleased to announce the 2009 Request for Proposals (RFP). Funding from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) will provide two grant opportunities to improve the administration of and access to elections in Vermont.

Municipal Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities (VOTE), is intended to help ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to polling places.

Funding will be available to municipalities. If the polling place is in a school, the school may apply for funding. Municipalities may apply to receive funds to ensure that their polling facility is accessible to individuals with a full range of disabilities. This may include activities such as paving parking areas, building ramps inside/outside buildings, building curb cuts, improving lighting and replacing door knobs with lever handles.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued on April 8, 2009. You can download the application and all required forms from: HAVA RFP for Municipalities 2009

Upon request to Linda Hall (802-828-0586 or lhall@sec.state.vt.us), a paper copy will be sent.

Applications are due May 15, 2009. The grant period runs from June 19, 2009 to December 31, 2009.

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