2018 -- H 8272

========

LC005827

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, and Canario

     Date Introduced: June 01, 2018

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-1 entitled "General

Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-1-3. Eligibility to vote.

     (a) Every citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, whose

residence as defined in § 17-1-3.1 has been in this state for at least thirty (30) days, and in the

town or city and voting district in which that person desires to cast his or her vote at least thirty

(30) days next preceding the election, and who is registered in that city or town and voting district

at least thirty (30) days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote in the election;

provided, a person may vote in a primary election only if that person is eligible under the

provisions of this title.

     (b) A person who has not registered to vote, or whose registration has been canceled

pursuant to § 17-10-1, may cast a vote for president and vice-president on election day at his or

her city or town hall or at an alternate location designated by the board of canvassers, and

approved by the board of elections, where such location is deemed necessary to better

accommodate such voters. The casting of that vote shall commence the process of voter

registration and subject the person voting to the requirements and penalties of this chapter.

     (c) "Election" as used in this section is intended to, and shall, include, in addition to

general and special elections, primary elections and referenda, any annual or special financial

meeting of a municipality or legislatively created taxing district at which the residents of that

municipality or district are entitled to vote.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005827

========

LC005827 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

***

     This act would clarify the application of elections law to financial town or district

meetings.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005827

========

LC005827 - Page 3 of 3