2017 -- S 0397

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LC001407

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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 -- BALLOT ARRANGEMENT

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2017

     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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