Chapter 400

2007 -- H 5052

Enacted 07/07/07

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARIES

Introduced By: Representatives San Bento, Silva, and Kilmartin

Date Introduced: January 10, 2007

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

      SECTION 1. 17-15-22 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-15 entitled "Primary

Elections" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-15-22. Party checkers. -- Party checkers, runners and watchers. -- The local board

shall, by written rule, provide for the presence of party checkers to be seated outside the rail next

to the warden to make a list of those who vote and for the distribution of lists or memoranda to

the proper representatives or candidates or groups of candidates. Party checkers, runners and

watchers shall be regulated in the same manner as directed in section 17-19-22.

     SECTION 2. Section 17-19-22 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct

of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-19-22. Party checkers, runners, and watchers. -- The officers required to furnish

and equip any voting place shall also provide a table in the room where the voting is conducted,

outside the enclosed space near the first bipartisan pair of supervisors, at which a representative

of the republican party and a representative of the democratic party, each recognized political

party bearing credentials signed by the proper ward or town committee chairperson, shall be

allowed to sit for the purpose of keeping track of those who are voting, and these representatives,

who shall be known as "checkers," may be changed during the day. A representative, known as a

"runner," of each of the parties shall be allowed to come to the table at frequent intervals for the

purpose of taking whatever list or memoranda the checkers may wish to give the runner. A

representative of the republican party and a representative of the democratic party, each

recognized political party bearing credentials signed by the proper ward or town committee

chairperson, shall also be allowed outside the enclosed place to observe the voting and assist the

checkers, and these representatives shall be known as "watchers." The watchers and any election

official shall have the right to challenge the right to vote of any person offering himself or herself

as a voter.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00189

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