2020 -- H 7200 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - MAIL BALLOTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Knight, Ackerman, Speakman, and
Williams

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2020

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 17-20 of the General Laws entitled "Mail Ballots" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following section:

     17-20-2.3. Eligibility for mail ballots in the 2020 primary and general election.

     (a) In response to the unique and serious public health circumstances associated with the

COVID-19 global pandemic, and notwithstanding any provision in any statute, law, regulation or

other provision to the contrary, with respect to the 2020 statewide primary on Tuesday September

8, 2020 and the 2020 general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 only, every qualified voter

shall be deemed to be eligible to vote by mail.

     (b) With respect to the statewide primary on Tuesday September 8, 2020 and the general

election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 only:

     (1) The secretary of state shall cause a mail ballot application to be delivered in a timely

fashion to every qualified voter; and

     (2) The following provisions of law relating to mail ballot voting procedures shall be

waived:

     (i) The requirements for eligibility for or validity of mail ballot for every qualified voter

set forth in §§ 17-20-2 and 17-20-2.1(d); and

     (ii) The determination of or certification of eligibility for mail ballots as set forth in §§ 17-

20-10 and 17-20-13 or in any other provision of title 17 of the general laws, except for those

provisions in § 17-20-10(a) requiring the local board to compare the signature on the ballot

application with the signature contained on the original registration card to satisfy itself that the

applicant is a qualified voter; and

     (iii) Any requirement relating to the witnessing or notarization of regular mail ballots as

set forth in §§ 17-20-2.1 and 17-20-23 or in any other provision of title 17 of the general laws.

     (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 20 of title 17 of the general laws or any

provision in any statute, law, regulation or other provision to the contrary, the secretary of state,

for the elections specified in subsection (b) of this section, may adopt a temporary procedure

whereby mail ballot applications pursuant to this section may be processed centrally by the office

of secretary of state, provided that the temporary procedure shall direct that applications deemed

insufficient shall be reviewed and rectified by the board of canvassers of the city or town where the

voter resides.

     (4) The secretary of state shall provide a clear and concise explanation and notification to

the public of the temporary elections procedures contained in this act on the official website of the

office of secretary of state and by any other reasonable means including, but not limited to,

conventional and social media, and printed explanation and notification whether distributed or

displayed.

     (c) Any existing state law or regulation relating to the eligibility of a qualified voter for

mail ballots shall, for the 2020 statewide primary on Tuesday September 8, 2020 and the 2020

general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 only, be subject to the conditions and procedures

established by this section.

     (d) The board of elections shall provide for secure mail ballot drop boxes at the board of

canvassers at each city or town hall. The board of elections shall also establish procedures for

securing the mail ballot drop boxes at 8:00 p.m. at the close of the polls.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and the provisions of this act shall

expire on November 4, 2020.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - MAIL BALLOTS

***

     This act would authorize every qualified voter to vote by mail ballot for the 2020 statewide

primary election on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, and for the general election conducted on

Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The authorization would be limited to the specified primary and

general election.

     This act would take effect upon passage and the provisions of this act would expire on

November 4, 2020.

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