Chapter 04-588

2004 -- S 3241

Enacted 07/31/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- STATEWIDE REFERENDA ELECTIONS

Introduced By: Senator Daniel P. Connors

Date Introduced: July 23, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

Referenda Elections" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-5-5. Language contained on computer ballots. -- (a) Notwithstanding the authority

of the secretary of state to determine the design and content of the computer ballots by rules and

regulations, all computer ballots shall contain a clear and concise statement of the nature of each

question presented without the necessity of repeating the full text of the question as adopted by

the general assembly; provided, that in the case of proposed amendments to the Constitution of

the state of Rhode Island, the full text as adopted by the general assembly shall be reprinted on

the computer ballots. The secretary of state shall cause each question appearing on the computer

ballot prepared by the secretary to be designated by number, the first question to be designated by

the number I and additional questions shall be submitted with numbers in consecutive order.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the general election to be held on November 2,

2004, in order to avoid a two-sheet statewide ballot, given the number of public questions to be

submitted to the electors at such general election, the Secretary of State may prepare the ballot in

such manner that the statewide public questions involving the issuance of bonds or other evidence

of indebtedness, or other long-term financial obligation shall appear on the ballot with only a

caption and the amount of financial obligation to be incurred, but without the clear and concise

statement of each question, as otherwise required. Provided, however, that such clear and concise

statement of such question shall instead appear in a conspicuous location within each privacy

voting booth at each polling place with additional copies thereof available at each polling place;

and for mail ballot voters, each such ballot sent to a mail ballot voter shall be accompanied by a

clear and concise statement of each question printed on a separate sheet of paper.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC03799

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