2017 -- H 5970

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LC002125

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- TABULATION AND CERTIFICATION OF RETURNS BY

STATE BOARD

     Introduced By: Representatives Tobon, Cunha, Barros, Blazejewski, and Johnston

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2017

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (Board of Elections)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-22-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-22 entitled "Tabulation

and Certification of Returns by State Board" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-22-7. Books of record of votes -- Contents.

     (a) The board shall keep separate books of record of the votes cast for the different

classes of officers which it is its duty to count, canvass, and tabulate, as follows:

     (1) A book of record of votes cast for electors of president and vice-president;

     (2) A book of record of votes cast for senators and representatives in congress;

     (3) A book of record of votes cast for general officers; and

     (4) A book of record of the votes cast for each class of officers that may by law

subsequently be required to be counted, canvassed, and tabulated by the board.

     (b) Each of the respective books shall contain:

     (1) A record of the number of votes cast in each voting district for each candidate

according to the counting, canvassing, and tabulating of the board;

     (2) The number cast in each voting district for each candidate according to the certificates

of the moderators or wardens and clerks;

     (3) The total number cast for each candidate in each town and city according to the

counting and to the certificates;

     (4) The total number cast for each candidate in the state or congressional district, as the

case may be, according to the counting and the certificates;

     (5) A statement of which candidates are elected; and

     (6) Any other pertinent facts that the board deems proper.

     (c) The board shall also keep a book of record of the votes cast for and against any

proposition of amendment of the Constitution and a book of record of the votes cast for and

against all questions submitted to the electors of the state, with like detail as provided in this

section in relation to votes cast for officers.

     (d) Notwithstanding the above, the state board shall report all write-in votes received by

persons qualifying as write-in candidates pursuant to the requirements of §17-19-31 and, not

otherwise qualifying to appear on the ballot and receiving less than five (5) votes in a race, as a

composite total of all write-in votes cast for said office.

     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 -- TABULATION AND CERTIFICATION OF RETURNS BY

STATE BOARD

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     This act would require the board of elections to report all votes received by write-in

candidates.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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