2022 -- H 7423

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LC004526

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CANVASSING THE LISTS OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS

     Introduced By: Representatives Baginski, Potter, and Fenton-Fung

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & 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 on the official website maintained by the city or

town. 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.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CANVASSING THE LISTS OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS

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     This act would replace the requirement that the notice for the final canvass and correction

of voter registration files be posted in a newspaper with the requirement that the notice for the final

canvass to be published on the official website maintained by the city or town.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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