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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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     (b) Each of the respective books shall contain:

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

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

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

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of the moderators or wardens and clerks;

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

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counting and to the certificates;

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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section in relation to votes cast for officers.

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

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persons qualifying as write-in candidates pursuant to the requirements of ยง17-19-31 and, not

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

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

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     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

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candidates.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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