Vermont Election Deepfake Law
Vermont Synthetic Media in Elections Law (S.23, Act 75 of 2026)
Vermont · 2026 VT Acts No. 75 (S.23)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- March 5, 2026
- Applies to
- Anyone distributing AI-generated campaign media in Vermont
- Enforced by
- Vermont Secretary of State; Vermont Attorney General
Deceptive AI-generated images, audio, or video about Vermont candidates distributed within 90 days of an election must carry a clear disclosure: on video for the full duration, in audio at the beginning, end, and at least every two minutes. Fines run up to $1,000, rising to as much as $15,000 for repeat violations meant to cause violence or harm, and the candidate depicted can go to court to stop distribution.
Who is protected: Vermont voters and candidates
Legal detail
2026 VT Acts No. 75 (S.23), signed and effective on passage Mar. 5, 2026: adds 17 V.S.A. § 2032 disclosure requirement for deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media within the 90-day pre-election window, with prescribed text; § 2033 escalating fines ($1,000 / $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000) and candidate injunctive relief; §§ 2041-2042 AG and State's Attorney enforcement and civil investigative powers.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | March 5, 2026 |
| Citation | 2026 VT Acts No. 75 (S.23) |
| Private right of action | Yes, individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Up to $1,000; up to $5,000 if intended to cause violence or bodily harm; up to $10,000 for a repeat violation within five years; up to $15,000 for both. The candidate depicted may seek injunctive relief; the AG or a State's Attorney may enforce. |
| Topics | deepfakes · election deepfakes · AI-generated images · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Bill text | Bill Status S.23 (Act 75) — Vermont Legislature |
More AI rules in Vermont
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Vermont — Gov. Scott veto of large data center regulatory framework (2026) · Vetoed
- Vermont NCII Deepfake Law · In effect
- Vermont H.410 / Act 132 (inventory of state AI / automated decision systems) · In effect
- Executive Order No. 04-26 - Vermont Artificial Intelligence Economic… · In effect
- Attorney General Donovan Sues Clearview AI for Violations of · In effect
Related deepfakes rules elsewhere
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- Doe v. X.AI (Grok NCII deepfakes class action) · Blocked / in litigation
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- Arizona HB 2678 — AI-generated CSAM criminalized · In effect
- MN HF 1606 AI Nudification Ban (2026) · In effect
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