2016 -- S 2504

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LC004919

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- BALLOT ARRANGEMENT

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-19-9.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct

of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-19-9.1. Ballot arrangement -- Independent candidates. -- In all state elections at

which candidates for public office are to be elected, some of whom are candidates of a political

party and some of whom are independent candidates as defined in § 17-1-2(4), all independent

candidates for the same public office shall be listed on the ballot, in the vertical column below the

title of the office they seek, following the listing of the political party candidates for the office

and in an order chosen by lottery; provided, that any independent candidate shall be entitled to

have appear on the ballot, in small print to the right his or her name, the name of any political

principle, movement, or organization with which the candidate wishes to be identified. The name

of the political principle, movement, or organization must be identified on the declaration of

candidacy, must contain not more than three (3) words, and must not include, in whole or in part,

the name of any political party. If any declaration of candidacy does not contain the name of any

political principle, movement, or organization, the word "independent" will appear in small print

to the right the name of the candidate on the ballot. Except as provided in this section, the powers

and duties of the secretary of state with respect to the preparation of the ballots shall not be

affected.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- BALLOT ARRANGEMENT

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     This act would remove the requirement that independent candidates for political office be

listed in a vertical column on the ballot.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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