2016 -- S 2627

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LC005165

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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 -- WARDENS AND SUPERVISORS

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Lombardi, Lynch Prata, Metts, and Conley

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (Board of Elections)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-19-23 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct

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

     17-19-23. Wardens and supervisors -- Powers and duties. -- The wardens shall:

      (1) Have general supervision of the voting place;

      (2) Assign the first, second, and any additional pairs of supervisors to their respective

stations;

      (3) From time to time, assign Assign and reassign and relieve the bipartisan pairs of

supervisors, as the efficient conduct of the election may require;

      (4) Unlock Access the voting list and set it before the first bipartisan pair pairs, if it has

not been divided in sections, or set each section before a bipartisan pair where it has been divided

in sections, immediately preceding the opening of the polls;

      (5) Assign the second or additional bipartisan pair of supervisors to watch the voters

while they are in and about the voting booths, and to enter the voting booths for the purpose of

assisting voters who are unable to vote, within the limits provided by this chapter;

      (6) Be vigilant and responsible to prevent any voter from voting more than once;

      (7) Cause to be established a single line of persons desiring to vote and enlist the

assistance of the supervisors and the police in attendance to maintain that line;

      (8) As far as consistent with their other duties, station themselves at the entrance to the

polling area and prevent any person from entering the enclosed space behind the rail designated

voting area, except under the authority of this chapter, and prevent any person from entering that

space area for the purpose of voting until that person's name has been announced and that

person's identity certified according to law by the supervisors in charge of the voting list, and

shall prevent any voter from departing the enclosed space while in possession of his or her

computer ballot. A notice shall be provided by the state board and posted in a conspicuous place

advising that it is a felony for a voter to leave the enclosed area while in possession of his or her

ballot. The voter has the option of casting his or her ballot or surrendering the ballot to the

warden whereby it will be marked void;

      (9) Cause to be removed or arrested any person or official who commits a violation of

the election law in their presence or disturbs the conduct of the voting; provided, that they shall

not cause any removal or arrest without the approval of the election inspector, unless the clerk

agrees with the wardens that the person or official should be arrested or removed;

      (10) Have the power to administer oaths as required by this title, and to attest the oaths

by signature in proof of the administration of the oaths.

     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 -- WARDENS AND SUPERVISORS

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     This act would authorize the use of more than one bipartisan pair of poll supervisors

which should help eliminate lines.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005165

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