2019 -- S 0487

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LC001885

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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 -- MAIL BALLOTS

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-20-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-20 entitled "Mail

Ballots" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-20-2. Eligibility for mail ballots.

     Any otherwise qualified elector may vote by mail ballot in the following circumstances:

     (1) An elector, within the State of Rhode Island who is incapacitated to the extent that it

would be an undue hardship to vote at the polls because of illness, or mental or physical

disability, blindness, or serious impairment of mobility;

     (2) An elector who is confined in any hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest

home, or similar institution, public or private, within the State of Rhode Island;

     (3) An elector who will be temporarily absent from the state because of employment or

service intimately connected with military operations or who is a spouse or legal dependent

residing with that person, or a United States citizen that will be outside of the United States;

     (4) An elector who may will not be able to vote at his or her polling place in his or her

city or town on the day of the election.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001885

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

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     This act would change one of the eligibility requirements to vote by mail ballot from an

elector who "may" not be able to vote at a polling place to and an elector who will not be able to

vote at a polling place.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001885

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