2019 -- S 0318

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LC001265

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Euer, Valverde, Conley, and Goldin

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: Senate 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. 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.

     (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any person who has

not yet reached eighteen (18) years of age may vote in a primary election, in which candidates are

nominated for a general or special election, that will occur when the individual is eighteen (18)

years of age.

     (c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall not extend to any other elections.

     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 -- ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE

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     This act would allow individuals, who have not reached the age of eighteen (18) years, to

vote in a primary election, as long as the voter will be eighteen (18) as of the date of the general

or special election.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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