Synthetic Media in Elections

VT Election Deepfake Law

Artificial intelligence · Other

Requires a set disclosure on AI-generated or manipulated media that realistically but falsely depicts a candidate, or gives materially false election information, when distributed within 90 days before a Vermont election. Visual disclosures must stay readable for the whole video, and audio disclosures must be spoken at the start and end and at least every two minutes.

Where: Vermont
Citation: 17 V.S.A. §§ 2031-2033, 2041-2042 (17 V.S.A. ch. 35, subchs. 4-5), added by 2026 Acts and Resolves No. 75 (S.23)
Status: In force
In force since: 2026-03-05
Enforced by: Vermont Attorney General and State's Attorneys; candidates (injunctive relief)
People can sue: Limited
Penalties: Knowing and intentional violations: fine up to $1,000; up to $5,000 with intent to cause violence or bodily harm; up to $10,000 for a repeat violation within five years; up to $15,000 for both. A misrepresented candidate may seek injunctive or other equitable relief.
Applies to: Any person who publishes, communicates or distributes deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media within 90 days before a Vermont election
Exceptions include bona fide news broadcasts and publications that acknowledge the media's questionable authenticity, and satire or parody

What a privacy notice must say

Deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media distributed within 90 days before an election must carry the statutory statement that it was manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur.17 V.S.A. § 2032(a) · Only if: Person knows the media is deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media
Image and video disclosures must be easily readable and shown for the full length of a video; audio disclosures must be spoken at the start and end and at intervals of no more than two minutes.17 V.S.A. § 2032(a)(1)-(2)

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Research reference, not legal advice.