2020 -- S 2603

========

LC005035

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CANVASSING THE LISTS OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS

     Introduced By: Senator Stephen R. Archambault

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (Board of Elections)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-10-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-10 entitled "Canvassing

the Lists of Qualified Electors" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-10-5. Canvass and correction of preliminary lists.

     (a) The local board shall, before the twentieth (20th) day preceding each election, meet and

canvass the preliminary lists and hear objections to the inclusion or omission of any person as a

registered voter, and it shall at that time make a final canvass and correction of the registration files.

It shall give notice of the time and place of the meeting, for at least ten (10) days previous to it, by

posting notices of the meeting in the same manner as required by this chapter for the posting of the

preliminary list, and by publication once, at least ten (10) days previous to the meeting, in one or

more newspapers having general circulation in the city or town on the official city or town website

and all official city or town social media accounts. At or following the meeting, the local board

shall strike from the lists and direct the cancellation of the registration of every person who is not

qualified to vote at the election for which the final canvass is made, and shall immediately notify

the secretary of state of that action. No registration shall be cancelled or a voter's right to vote be

otherwise limited based upon a finding that the voter no longer resides within the city or town

unless the voter has confirmed either in person or in writing that the voter no longer resides within

the city or town or the board has received written evidence that the voter has registered to vote

within another city or town or in another state.

     (b) The local boards may meet and canvass the voting lists of any senatorial district,

representative district or districts, ward or wards, or voting district or districts in any senatorial or

representative district, ward, or voting district, or at their office or other previously designated

place, at any other convenient time or times, on the same day or different days, not inconsistent

with the provisions of this chapter.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005035

========

LC005035 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CANVASSING THE LISTS OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS

***

     This act would eliminate the requirement that the local board of canvassers publish in the

local newspaper notice of certain meetings regarding lists of registered voters and would instead

require online publication of that notice on the official city or town website and all official city or

town social media accounts.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005035

========

LC005035 - Page 3 of 3