Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 42 of chapter 54 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, all acts and proceedings taken by the town of Westport relative to the printing of absentee ballots for the March 12, 2001 annual town election and all actions taken pursuant thereto, are hereby ratified, validated and confirmed, notwithstanding any defect or omission in the printing of such absentee ballots. Such ballots shall be counted in accordance with the provisions of law relative to absentee ballots, and the results included in the official canvass of votes at the annual town election.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.