reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 17-20-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-3 - Definitions.

§ 17-20-3. Definitions.(a) Wherever used in this chapter, every word importing only the masculine gender is construed to extend to, and include, females as well as males.(b) Whenever used in this chapter, "bipartisan pairs of supervisors" for primaries means a supervisor representing the endorsed candidates and a supervisor representing a majority of unendorsed candidates, and for nonpartisan elections and primaries means non-partisan pairs of supervisors.(c) Wherever used in this chapter, "employed outside of the United States" includes any person who is:(1) Employed by any agency, department or division of the United States government and who, by reason of that employment, resides outside of the continental United States;(2) Employed outside the territorial limits of the United States; or(3) A spouse or dependent residing with persons so employed.(d) Wherever used in this chapter "services intimately connected with military operations" includes members of religious groups or welfare agencies assisting members of the armed forces who are officially attached to and serving with the armed forces and their spouses and dependents, and the spouses and dependents of members of the armed forces and of the merchant marine; provided, that the spouses and dependents are residing outside of the state with the members of the armed forces, merchant marine, or members of the religious or welfare agencies.(e) Whenever a signature is required by a voter in this chapter, "signature" also means the voter's mark "X" if the person is unable to sign his or her name because of physical incapacity or otherwise.(f) Whenever used in this chapter, "bipartisan" means not of the same recognized political party.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 227, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 314, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 459, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-4 - Exemption from registration.

§ 17-20-4. Exemption from registration.Any member of the armed forces or of the merchant marine of the United States in active service, any person absent from the state in the performance of "services intimately connected with military operations", as defined in § 17-20-3(d), and any person employed outside of the United States, as defined in § 17-20-3(c) who, except for registration, would be a qualified elector of this state, shall be exempt during the period of his or her service or employment and for two (2) years thereafter from the registration requirements of the Constitution of this state.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1999, ch. 358, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 410, § 10.
RI Gen L § 17-20-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-5 - Residence of person in service or employed outside of the United States.

§ 17-20-5. Residence of person in service or employed outside of the United States.The "residence", as defined in § 17-1-3.1, of any person immediately prior to the commencement of that person's active service as a member of the armed forces or of the merchant marine of the United States, or immediately prior to his or her absence from the state in the performance of "services intimately connected with military operations" as defined in § 17-20-3(d), or immediately prior to his or her employment outside of the United States as defined in § 17-20-3(c), shall, for the purposes of this chapter, continue to be that person's residence during the time of his or her service and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, unless the person changes his or her residence by registering or by taking other appropriate action to qualify to vote in another city or town within this state or in another state.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 10; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 239, § 11.
RI Gen L § 17-20-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-6 - Alternative methods of voting.

§ 17-20-6. Alternative methods of voting.Any qualified elector who is a member of the armed forces or of the merchant marine of the United States, or who is absent from the state in the performance of "services intimately connected with military operations" as defined in § 17-20-3(c), and any qualified elector of this state exempt from registration under § 17-20-4, shall have the right to vote at his or her option during the period of his or her service and for two (2) years thereafter by any one of the following methods:(1) If the person is present within the state on the day of any election, that person shall have the right to vote in the manner prescribed in chapter 19 of this title, subject to any other provisions of this chapter.(2) If the person is absent from the state on the day of any election, that person has the right to vote by absentee ballot in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, upon compliance with its provisions.(3) (i) The elector may cast an official federal absentee ballot federal write-in absentee ballot "FWAB" in accordance with the laws of the United States.(ii) The elector may use the "FWAB" to cast a vote for each federal, state and local office for which he or she is entitled to vote in a general, primary or special election.(4) The elector may also cast an official state blank ballot issued by the office of the secretary of state in accordance with this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 358, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-6.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-6.2 - Designation of single state office to provide information on registration and absentee ballot procedures under the Help America Vote Act.

§ 17-20-6.2. Designation of single state office to provide information on registration and absentee ballot procedures under the Help America Vote Act.The secretary of state is designated as the single state office responsible for providing information regarding voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures under Section 702 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252) [see 42 U.S.C. § 1973ff-1(a) and (b)] and shall be responsible for the coordination of the state of Rhode Island's responsibilities under that section.History of Section.P.L. 2003, ch. 234, § 4.
RI Gen L § 17-20-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-7 - Duplication of votes - Methods preferred.

§ 17-20-7. Duplication of votes — Methods preferred.(a) In no event shall more than one vote be cast by any individual for any one office or proposition.(b) In the event that any person votes in person and also attempts to vote by mail ballot or by an official state blank ballot or an official federal absentee ballot, as the case may be, the mail and the official state blank ballot and the official federal absentee ballot, as the case may be, shall be destroyed and not counted.(c) In the event that any person casts a mail ballot and an official federal absentee ballot and/or official state blank ballot, the mail ballot shall be counted, but the official federal absentee and/or the official state blank ballot shall be destroyed and not counted.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1999, ch. 358, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-8 - Application for ballot.

§ 17-20-8. Application for ballot.(a) Whenever any person is unable to sign his or her name because of physical incapacity or otherwise, that person shall make his or her mark "X".(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter as to time and manner thereof, it shall be the duty of the applicant to cause the mail ballot application or the emergency mail ballot application, as the case may be, to be processed by the local board so that the applicant may receive the ballot, cast it, and cause delivery thereof to be made to the state board not later than eight o'clock (8:00) p.m. on the date of election.(c) The local board shall maintain a separate list of names and addresses of all applicants and their subscribing witnesses and a copy of the list shall be made available for inspection to any person upon request.(d) Any person knowingly and willfully making a false application or certification or knowingly and willfully aiding and abetting in the making of a false application or certification shall be guilty of a felony.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1980, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 156, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 10; P.L. 1984, ch. 391, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 161, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 351, § 2; P.L. 1999, ch. 358, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 55, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 58, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-8.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-8.1 - Repealed.

§ 17-20-8.1. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1989, ch. 398, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1992, ch. 261, § 1, effective July 21, 1992.
RI Gen L § 17-20-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-9 - Application by permanently disabled or incapacitated voters.

§ 17-20-9. Application by permanently disabled or incapacitated voters.(a) A voter who is indefinitely confined because of physical illness or infirmity or is disabled for an indefinite period may, by signing an affidavit to that effect, request that an absentee ballot application be sent to him or her automatically for every election. The affidavit form and instructions shall be prescribed by the secretary of state, and furnished upon request to any elector by each local board of canvassers. The envelope containing the absentee ballot application shall be clearly marked as not forwardable. If any elector is no longer indefinitely confined, he or she shall notify the clerk of the local board of canvassers of this fact. The clerk shall remove the name of any voter from the mailing list established under this section upon receipt of reliable information that a voter no longer qualifies for the service. The voter shall be notified of the action within five (5) days after the board takes the action.(b) The affidavit form and instructions prescribed in this section shall be mailed to the applicant along with a stamped return envelope addressed to the local boards of canvassers.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 11; P.L. 1988, ch. 297, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-9.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-9.1 - Application by member of the armed forces in active service.

§ 17-20-9.1. Application by member of the armed forces in active service.(a) A voter who is a member of the armed forces in active service may, by certification to that effect by the voter's civilian or military commander or noncommissioned officer in charge of the particular duty station, require that an absentee ballot application be sent to the voter automatically for every election during the period of time for which the voter has been assigned to that duty station. The certification by the civilian or military commander or noncommissioned officer in charge of the particular duty station shall be prepared in form by the secretary of state and shall include the name of the military personnel, the address to which the voter's application shall be mailed, the name and signature of the military or civilian commander or noncommissioned officer completing the certification, and the expected date of reassignment or discharge of that service person from that duty station.(b) Notification of removal from the mailing list shall be sent to the applicant.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 413, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 210, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-9.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-9.2 - Application by member of the armed forces in active service registered to vote using the federal postcard application (FPCA).

§ 17-20-9.2. Application by member of the armed forces in active service registered to vote using the federal postcard application (FPCA).(a) A voter who is a member of the armed forces in active service may, by certification to that effect by the voter's civilian or military commander or noncommissioned officer in charge of the particular duty station, require that an absentee ballot be sent to the voter automatically if that voter has registered to vote using the federal postcard application (FPCA), for every election during the period of time for which the voter has been assigned to that duty station. The certification by the civilian or military commander or noncommissioned officer in charge of the duty station may be prepared in form by the secretary of state and shall include the name of the military personnel, the address to which the voter's application shall be mailed, the name and signature of the military or civilian commander or noncommissioned officer completing the certification, and the expected date of reassignment or discharge of that service person from that duty station.(b) Notification of removal from the mailing list shall be sent to the applicant.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 182, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 210, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-9.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-9.3 - Application by a civilian employed by the United States government and residing outside of the continental United States.

§ 17-20-9.3. Application by a civilian employed by the United States government and residing outside of the continental United States.(a) A voter who is employed by any agency, department, or division of the United States government who by reason of that employment resides outside of the continental United States may, by certification to that effect by the voter's employer, require that an absentee ballot be sent to the voter automatically if that voter has registered to vote using the federal post card application (FPCA), for every election during the period of time for which the voter will reside outside of the continental United States. The certification by the employer shall be prepared in form by the secretary of state and shall include the name of the civilian employee, the address to which the voter's application shall be mailed, the name and signature of the employer completing the certification, and the length of time for which the individual will reside outside of the continental United States by reason of his or her employment.(b) Notification of removal from the mailing list shall be sent to the applicant.History of Section.P.L. 1994, ch. 156, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 390, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-10.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-10.1 - Repealed.

§ 17-20-10.1. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 309, § 2; Repealed by P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 3; P.L. 2001, ch, 121, § 3, effective January 1, 2002. For present comparable provisions, see § 17-20-6.1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-10.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-10.2 - Official state blank ballots.

§ 17-20-10.2. Official state blank ballots.In the event the official ballot is not available for issuance and mailing forty-five (45) days before a general, primary, or special election, persons applying for a mail ballot under subdivision 17-20-2(3) and persons applying for a mail ballot through the use of the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) shall be issued an official state blank ballot forty-five (45) days before the election. Additionally, the voter shall be sent the official ballot immediately upon the ballots becoming available. The office of secretary of state shall be responsible for the arrangement, preparation, printing and distribution of the official state blank ballots. The secretary of state shall also be responsible for all accompanying candidate listings to the extent that information is available, instruction sheets, and envelopes.History of Section.P.L. 1999, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 217, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-11 - Safekeeping of lists of applicants.

§ 17-20-11. Safekeeping of lists of applicants.The copies of certified applications and the certified lists returned to the several local boards shall be safely kept in the custody of the boards until the first day of September in the second (2nd) year after the boards have received the lists.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-20-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-12 - Secretary of state to furnish forms and supplies.

§ 17-20-12. Secretary of state to furnish forms and supplies.All mail ballots, application forms, certified envelopes for enclosing ballots, any other envelopes that may be necessary, and instructions as to voting, use of ballots, and affidavits, shall be furnished and supplied by the secretary of state for use in mailing application forms, ballots, and other supplies to mail voters to carry out the provisions of this chapter, but each local board shall print or stamp upon the application form and upon the return envelope the address of the local board. The secretary of state is authorized to interpret and apply the provisions of this chapter in a manner that effects the legislative intention set forth in this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-20-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-14 - Voting from hospitals, convalescent homes, nursing homes, rest homes or similar institutions public or private within the State of Rhode Island - Penalty for interference.

§ 17-20-14. Voting from hospitals, convalescent homes, nursing homes, rest homes or similar institutions public or private within the State of Rhode Island — Penalty for interference.(a) The state board of elections shall appoint as many bipartisan pairs of supervisors as are necessary whose duty it shall be to attend each hospital, rest home, nursing home and convalescent home, or similar types of personal care facility in the state within twenty (20) days prior to the election. They shall supervise the casting of votes by persons using mail ballots at a place that preserves their secrecy and shall take acknowledgments or serve as witnesses, and jointly provide assistance, if requested, to assure proper marking, sealing, and mailing of ballots as voted. Every mail ballot cast by a patient in a hospital or convalescent home within this state must be witnessed by the state supervisors. It shall be the duty of the person or persons in charge of hospitals, rest homes, nursing homes and convalescent homes, or similar types of personal care facility to allow the state supervisors to perform their duties as set forth in this section at all reasonable times. Every person who willfully hinders the state supervisors in performing their duties as set forth in this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.(b) It shall be the responsibility of the state board of elections to provide all bipartisan pairs of supervisors with an official identification card. All bipartisan pairs of supervisors will be required to have in their possession their identification card when conducting official business.(c) Any person who deliberately misrepresents themselves as an official of the board of elections, or who deceives, coerces, or interferes with a voter casting a ballot, shall be subject to prosecution under § 17-20-30.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1982, ch. 163, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 500, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 314, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 459, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 217, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-14.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-14.1 - Mail ballots - Local supervision.

§ 17-20-14.1. Mail ballots — Local supervision.Each local board shall be authorized to appoint one or more bipartisan pairs of supervisors in the manner that other bipartisan pairs of supervisors are appointed for each election, whose duty it shall be to attend each person who makes an application for a mail ballot under §§ 17-20-2.1 and 17-20-2.2, who does not fall under the provisions of § 17-20-14, and who requests that a bipartisan pair of supervisors be sent by the board of canvassers to that person's place of residence for the purpose of supervising or assisting the mail voter in casting his or her vote. The bipartisan pairs of supervisors shall supervise the casting of votes by persons using the mail ballot at a place that preserves their secrecy and shall take acknowledgments or serve as witnesses, and jointly provide assistance, if requested, to assure proper marking, sealing, and mailing of ballots as voted. The failure or neglect of any local board to appoint these bipartisan pairs, or the failure or neglect of any pair to attend any place at which a mail voter's ballot may be used, or the marking, sealing, or mailing of ballots in the absence of any pair, shall not invalidate any ballot.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-14.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-14.2 - Voting from board of canvassers.

§ 17-20-14.2. Voting from board of canvassers.The local board of canvassers shall appoint as many supervisors as are necessary whose duty it shall be to supervise the casting of votes by persons using mail ballots at a place that preserves their secrecy and to take acknowledgments or serve as witnesses, and jointly provide assistance, if requested, to assure proper marking, sealing, and mailing of ballots as voted. Every certifying envelope containing a mail ballot cast at a board of canvassers must have the signature of the elector notarized by an appointed person authorized by law to administer oaths or before two (2) appointed witnesses who shall set forth their signature on the form. The certifying envelope of any mail ballot voted at the local board of canvassers shall be stamped by the local board to indicate it was voted on in conformance with the law. Every person who willfully hinders the local supervisors in performing their duties as set forth in this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The local board shall transmit a list to the state board of elections containing the names and signatures of people authorized to witness mail ballots.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 14; P.L. 1984, ch. 391, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 217, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-20-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots|Section 17-20-15 - Repealed.

§ 17-20-15. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1980, ch. 407, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 3; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 3, effective January 1, 2002.