VT S0298

Prohibits discrimination in voting based on race, color, or membership in a language minority group, and bans voting practices that dilute the voting strength of protected classes, including at-large election methods that impair minority representation

Requires municipalities to obtain Attorney General pre-clearance or complete a public notice and comment process before implementing "covered practices" such as changes to election districts, polling places, or voting methods; bars electoral changes within 60 days of a general election

Mandates language assistance in municipalities where more than 5% or 1,000+ voting-age residents speak a language other than English and have limited English proficiency, with the Secretary of State publishing annual designations by January 15

Criminalizes voter intimidation (up to 2 years imprisonment or $2,000 fine), communication of false voting information (up to 6 months or $1,000), and interference with voting; creates private rights of action with potential attorney's fees for prevailing plaintiffs

Requires incarcerated individuals to be counted at their pre-incarceration residential address rather than their correctional facility location for purposes of legislative reapportionment, with the Department of Corrections providing address data to the Legislative Apportionment Board by May 1 following each decennial census