2013 -- S 0627

=======

LC01171

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - MAIL BALLOTS

     Introduced By: Senators Jabour, Pearson, and Metts

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Section 17-20-16, 17-20-21 and 17-20-22 of the General Laws in Chapter

1-2

17-20 entitled "Mail Ballots" are hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     17-20-16. Time of casting vote. -- Mail ballots may be cast in the manner provided by

1-4

law on or before election day; provided, that no mail ballot shall be counted unless it is received

1-5

by the state board not later than nine o'clock (9:00) p.m. local time the time prescribed by section

1-6

17-18-11 for the closing of polling places on election day.

1-7

     17-20-21. Certifying envelopes. -- The secretary of state shall cause to be prepared and

1-8

printed and shall furnish with each mail ballot an envelope for sealing up and certifying the ballot

1-9

when returned. The envelope shall be printed in substantially the following form:

1-10

     "After marking ballot or ballots, fold and enclose in this envelope and seal it. Certify to

1-11

statement hereon. Enclose in envelope addressed to board of elections, which must receive the

1-12

envelope not later than nine o'clock (9:00) p.m. the time prescribed by section 17-18-11 for the

1-13

closing of polling places on the day of election."

1-14

     Date of Election:______________ City/Town

1-15

     of:______________________________

1-16

     Certificate of Voter

1-17

     Print Name of Voter

1-18

     I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that I am:

1-19

     • I am a United States citizen;

2-20

     • I am a resident and qualified voter of the State of Rhode Island;

2-21

     • I am eligible to cast a mail ballot under the provisions of section 17-20-2; and

2-22

     • I am not qualified to vote elsewhere.

2-23

     Voter must sign full name here: ________________________________________

2-24

     (If unable to sign name because of physical incapacity or otherwise, voter shall make his

2-25

or her mark "(X)").

2-26

     I hereby attest under penalty of perjury that the enclosed voted ballot was cast, and the

2-27

signature or mark on this certifying envelope was made by the voter whose name appears on the

2-28

label above.

2-29

     Before me the _____________ day of ______________ 20________, at

2-30

________________ (city or town), county of ________________, state of

2-31

____________________, personally appeared the above named voter, to me known and known

2-32

by me to be the person who affixed his or her signature to this ballot envelope.

2-33

____________________________________________

2-34

     Notary Public

2-35

     Notary must also print his or her name

2-36

     Witness:

2-37

     __________________________ ______________________________

2-38

     (Signature) (Residence)

2-39

     Note: Mail ballots must either be sworn to before a notary public or before two (2)

2-40

witnesses who must sign their names and addresses.

2-41

     17-20-22. Certification envelopes for mail ballots of persons intimately connected

2-42

with military service and persons employed outside of the United States. -- The distinctively

2-43

colored certification envelope for persons intimately connected with military service and persons

2-44

employed outside of the United States shall be printed in substantially the following form:

2-45

     After marking ballot or ballots, fold and enclose in this envelope and seal it. Certify to

2-46

statement hereon. Enclose in envelope addressed to board of elections, which must receive the

2-47

envelope not later than nine o'clock (9:00) p.m. the time prescribed by section 17-18-11 for the

2-48

closing of polling places on the day of election.

2-49

     Date of Election______________ City/Town of__________________

2-50

     Oath of Elector Casting the Enclosed

2-51

     Ballot or Ballots

2-52

     Print Name

2-53

     I do hereby affirm, under penalty of perjury that:

3-54

     • I am a United States citizen;

3-55

     • I am a resident and qualified voter of the State of Rhode Island;

3-56

     • I am eligible to cast a mail ballot, because I am one of the following:

3-57

     • A member of the Uniformed Services or merchant marine on active duty or an eligible

3-58

spouse or dependent.

3-59

     • A U.S. citizen who will be outside the United States.

3-60

     • I am not qualified to vote elsewhere.

3-61

     ________________________________

3-62

      (Signature of voter)

3-63

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01171

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - MAIL BALLOTS

***

4-1

     This act would require that mail ballots be returned to the state board of elections by the

4-2

closing time of the polls established by law on election day.

4-3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01171

=======