2017 -- S 0074

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LC000306

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE, PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS -- A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE (MAJORITY VOTE

REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL OFFICERS' ELECTION)

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, Kettle, Paolino, Raptakis, and Gee

     Date Introduced: January 18, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     WHEREAS, The proposed amendment to Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the

State is intended to provide that successful candidates for state general offices have received a

majority of votes cast; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general

assembly voting therefor, the following amendment to the Constitution of the State be proposed

to the qualified electors of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the

Constitution for their approval and the following section is hereby amended, effective January 1,

2019, to read as follows:

     ARTICLE IV

     OF ELECTIONS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE

     Section 2. Election by plurality Election by majority or plurality. -- In all elections of

general officers, only those persons or candidates receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be

declared elected. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, then a runoff election

between the top two (2) vote-getters shall be held. The candidate receiving the largest number of

votes cast in the runoff election shall be declared elected.

     In all other elections held by the people for other state, officers, and for city, town, ward

or district officers, the person or candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be

declared elected.

     RESOLVED, That the said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors

for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the

several cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for

general officers of the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause the said proposition of amendment to

be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the said

meetings of the said electors and the said proposition shall be read by the town, ward, or district

meetings to be held as aforesaid; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the town, ward, and district meetings to be held aforesaid shall be

warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward, and

district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

ward, and district meetings for the election of general officers of the state.

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LC000306

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