reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 17-19-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-1 - Definitions.

§ 17-19-1. Definitions.As used in this chapter, except as otherwise required by the context:(1) "Candidate" means any individual who has qualified under law to have his or her name appear on the ballot for nomination for election or election to office;(2) "Computer ballot" means the paper ballot prepared by the office of the secretary of state for use in conjunction with the optical-scan precinct-count system or the voting equipment precinct-count system then in place and procured in accordance with this chapter;(3) "Public office" means any state, municipal, school, or district office or other position that is filled by popular election, except political party offices which shall mean any state, city, town, ward, or representative or senatorial district committee office of a political party or delegate to a political party convention, or any similar office;(4) A "Vote" shall be any mark made with the appropriate marking device within the ballot voting area between the head and tail of the arrow or in the oval as indicated on the computer ballot next to the candidate, write-in candidate, or question, as is applicable, for whom the voter casts his or her ballot, except as provided in § 17-20-24;(5) "Voting equipment" means an optical-scan precinct-count voting system or the voting equipment precinct-count system then in place and procured in accordance with this chapter, related memory device, all related hardware and software, accessible voting systems required by federal law, and voting booths;(6) "Warden" includes moderator and vice versa; and(7) "Write-in candidate" means any individual receiving votes or seeking election to office by virtue of having irregular ballots cast for him or her pursuant to § 17-19-31.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 2; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; P.L. 1948, ch. 2151, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-1; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2004, ch. 264, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 295, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 472, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 483, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 176, § 3; P.L. 2015, ch. 201, § 3; P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-19-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-2 - Voting equipment.

§ 17-19-2. Voting equipment.Subject to the provisions of this chapter, voting equipment that has been procured by the department of administration according to the provisions of this chapter shall be used in all state, city, or town elections, including elections at which amendments to the constitution of the state are submitted to the electors for approval. Until such voting equipment is procured by the department of administration pursuant to the specifications provided by the office of the secretary of state, voting equipment previously acquired by the department of administration according to the provisions of this chapter in effect at that time shall continue to be used in all state, city, or town elections, including elections at which amendments to the constitution of the state are submitted to the electors for approval.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, §§ 1, 24; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, §§ 1, 23; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; P.L. 1956, ch. 3755, § 1; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-19-2, 17-19-3; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-2; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2015, ch. 176, § 3; P.L. 2015, ch. 201, § 3.
RI Gen L § 17-19-2.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-2.1 - New voting technology.

§ 17-19-2.1. New voting technology.In the event the department of administration purchases new voting equipment and services in accordance with § 17-19-3, then any reference in title 17 to optical-scan equipment shall be deemed to refer to the voting equipment then purchased, whether such voting equipment utilizes optical-scan technology or not.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 2; P.L. 2015, ch. 176, § 3; P.L. 2015, ch. 201, § 3.
RI Gen L § 17-19-3.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-3.1 - Repealed.

§ 17-19-3.1. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 51, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 39; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 39. The repeal by chapter 83 is effective June 23, 1999, and the repeal by chapter 130 is effective June 28, 1999. For present comparable provisions, see § 17-19-3.2.
RI Gen L § 17-19-3.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-3.2 - Polling place accessibility for voters who are disabled or elderly.

§ 17-19-3.2. Polling place accessibility for voters who are disabled or elderly.(a) Every polling place shall be situated in a building that can be entered and exited by persons who are disabled or elderly.(b) "Persons who are disabled" for the purpose of this section means a serious impairment of mobility.(c) "Elderly" as used in this section means a person who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older.(d) The state board of elections shall establish guidelines as to the accessibility of buildings to voters who are disabled or elderly. The state board of elections is empowered to grant, upon the application of the board of canvassers, an exception permitting it to maintain a polling place in a nonconforming building. An exception shall only be granted when the board of canvassers demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the board of elections, that there is no public building within the voting district which meets the requirements of this section or which can be brought into compliance by a reasonable expenditure of funds. If a conforming building is unavailable within the voting district, the board of elections shall provide to the board of canvassers an alternative method or an alternative location outside the voting district for persons who are disabled or elderly and request in advance of the election an alternative means of casting their ballot on election day.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 369, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 101, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 40; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 40.
RI Gen L § 17-19-3.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-3.3 - Telephones at polling places.

§ 17-19-3.3. Telephones at polling places.Every polling place shall have a telephone available for the use of any election official for the purpose of carrying out his or her official functions and duties.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 177, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-19-3.4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-3.4 - Repealed.

§ 17-19-3.4. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 129, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 63, effective July 6, 2001.
RI Gen L § 17-19-3.5 - 17-19-3.15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-3.5 - 17-19-3.15 - Repealed.

§ 17-19-3.5 — 17-19-3.15. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 129; § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 9, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 25. § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 28, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 34, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 35, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 75, effective July 7, 2000.
RI Gen L § 17-19-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-4 - Voting booths and optical scan precinct count units - Number to be furnished.

§ 17-19-4. Voting booths and optical scan precinct count units — Number to be furnished.(a) For each voting district and for each town not divided into voting districts, at least one precinct count unit shall be prepared and delivered by the state board or its designee.(b) At each voting place, both in cities and in towns, at least one voting booth shall be furnished for every one hundred seventy-five (175) qualified electors, whose names are upon the voting list used at the voting place and entitled to use the machines, as certified to the state board based on the voting list certified as a result of the final canvass.(c) In making the calculation required by this section, voters whose names are on the inactive list of voters shall not be included.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 5; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 4; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3203, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-5; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-4; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 8; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2017, ch. 104, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 113, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-19-4.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-4.1 - Repealed.

§ 17-19-4.1. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1959, ch. 20, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 8; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 17; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 17, effective January 1, 1997.
RI Gen L § 17-19-4.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-4.2 - Moderator request - Computerized voting machines.

§ 17-19-4.2. Moderator request — Computerized voting machines.(a) Upon request of a moderator charged with conducting a municipal or regional school district financial meeting, the board of elections will furnish each meeting to be conducted with one computerized voting machine per year, and voting booths and ballots marked "yes" and "no" at the state's expense. The request shall declare the number of requested ballots and the number of anticipated voters. The request shall be delivered to the board of elections no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting. The board of elections shall determine the need for additional computerized machines and that cost shall be borne by the municipality or school district.(b) If a municipality or school district holds more than one financial meeting in the same calendar year, the municipality or school district shall bear the cost of any computerized machines, voting booths, and ballots furnished for use at any additional financial meetings.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 432, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-19-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-5 - Printing and furnishing of computer ballots.

§ 17-19-5. Printing and furnishing of computer ballots.The computer ballots to be used at any election shall be printed and furnished at the expense of the state by the secretary of state and turned over to the state board.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 11; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 6; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3203, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-8; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-5; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
RI Gen L § 17-19-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-6 - Ballot - Arrangement.

§ 17-19-6. Ballot — Arrangement.In all cases where optical scan precinct count units are to be used for any election, the secretary of state shall prepare a diagram of the computer ballot to be used at the election. The diagram shall determine the manner and order in which the ballot shall be arranged, and the diagram shall, on the day of any election, be in the possession of the warden and available for public inspection. The diagram shall be a copy of the actual computer ballot to be voted at the polling place.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 10; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 5; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-6; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
RI Gen L § 17-19-6.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-6.1 - Local questions on the ballot.

§ 17-19-6.1. Local questions on the ballot.In all circumstances where local questions are to be printed on the ballot, they shall be printed on a distinctive colored background. The first question shall be designated by the numeral I, and additional questions shall follow numbered so that all questions submitted to the electors of the city/town shall be numbered consecutively; provided, that whenever there are propositions of amendment of the Constitution or any public question of statewide impact on the ballot, the statewide questions shall be listed on the ballot numbered consecutively starting with the numeral I, and the local questions shall follow starting with the first available number and shall be numbered consecutively.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 236, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-19-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-7 - Local candidates and questions - Certification - Ballots.

§ 17-19-7. Local candidates and questions — Certification — Ballots.The local board of each city or town shall certify to the secretary of state, not later than four o'clock (4:00) p.m. of the third (3rd) day following the last day for the holding of the primary held pursuant to the provisions of chapter 15 of this title, preceding any regular city or town election to be held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in any year, or not later than twenty-nine (29) days before any regular city or town election held at any time other than on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in any year, or not later than twenty-nine (29) days before any special city or town election, the offices to be voted for at the election, the names of the candidates for each office and the party name under which the respective candidates were nominated, and any other information necessary to enable the secretary of state to prepare ballots uniform in size, type, color, and appearance with those prepared by the secretary for the state election, and in like manner the local board shall certify to the secretary of state, not later than four o'clock (4:00) p.m. on the ninetieth (90th) day preceding any regular city or town election to be held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in any year, or not later than fifty (50) days before any regular city or town election held at any time other than on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in any year, or not later than fifty (50) days before any special city or town election, a copy of each question to be submitted to the electors of the city or town so that suitable ballots may be prepared and furnished for the election.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 11; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 6; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3203, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-7; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 194, § 4; P.L. 1991, ch. 277, § 4; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 1999, ch. 343, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 359, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-19-7.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-7.1 - Listing of at-large candidates.

§ 17-19-7.1. Listing of at-large candidates.(a) In case of a vote for members of the council or school committee of any city or town, in which the office or offices to be filled are to be elected on an at-large basis, and whether the election is a partisan, nonpartisan, primary, general, or special election, the names for the office or offices shall be listed on the ballot in such fashion that no more than one name for an office shall be displayed on the same horizontal line; provided, that candidates for nonpartisan election in the cities of Newport, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket, and candidates for partisan election in the town of North Providence, may be listed on the same horizontal line.(b) In no event shall the voting equipment be prepared to prevent further voting for an office or officer until the elector has cast as many votes as there are separate offices to be filled.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 252, § 2; P.L. 1979, ch. 301, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 111, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 333, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
RI Gen L § 17-19-7.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-7.2 - Names of candidates.

§ 17-19-7.2. Names of candidates.In all elections, the names of candidates shall be printed on ballots as they appear on the voting list, notwithstanding that the candidate may have signed his or her declaration of candidacy other than as the candidate's name appears on the voting list.History of Section.P.L. 1989, ch. 389, § 3; P.L. 1990, 285, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
RI Gen L § 17-19-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-8 - Ballots - Form.

§ 17-19-8. Ballots — Form.All ballots provided under this chapter shall be printed in black ink on clear, white material in plain, clear type. Upon the ballot for questions, the statement of the question may be abbreviated to meet the requirements of the space provided, and shall be printed in type that can be easily read, with the words "yes" or "no" or "approved" and "reject", whichever may be required for the voter to indicate the voter's vote for or against any question.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 11; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 6; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3203, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-9; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-8; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
RI Gen L § 17-19-8.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-8.2 - State-of-the-art voting technology.

§ 17-19-8.2. State-of-the-art voting technology.The office of the secretary of state when implementing the provisions of § 17-19-3 shall specify to the extent reasonably available state-of-the-art voting equipment that can accommodate voters who are blind, visually impaired, or are otherwise disabled, in order to afford all voters, regardless of abilities, an opportunity to cast their ballot privately and independently.History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 177, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 176, § 3; P.L. 2015, ch. 201, § 3.
RI Gen L § 17-19-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-9 - Party emblems.

§ 17-19-9. Party emblems.The emblem of the democratic party shall be the representation of a star. The emblem of the republican party shall be the representation of an eagle. The emblem of any political organization qualifying as a "political party," as defined in this title, shall be selected by the state chairperson of the party; provided, that the emblem shall be entirely different for each political party and may be any appropriate symbol, but neither the coat of arms, or seal of any state or of the United States, the national or state flag, any religious emblem or symbol, the seal of any society, the portrait or likeness of any person, or the representation of a coin or of the currency of the United States, shall be chosen as an emblem. Whenever any emblem has been selected and used upon official ballots for any political party, it shall not thereafter be used for any other political party.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 6; P.L. 1948, ch. 2151, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-10; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-9; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2014, ch. 279, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 280, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-19-9.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-9.1 - Ballot arrangement - Independent candidates.

§ 17-19-9.1. Ballot arrangement — Independent candidates.In all state elections at which candidates for public office are to be elected, some of whom are candidates of a political party and some of whom are independent candidates as defined in § 17-1-2(4), all independent candidates for the same public office shall be listed on the ballot, in the vertical column below the title of the office they seek, following the listing of the political party candidates for the office and in an order chosen by lottery; provided, that any independent candidate shall be entitled to have appear on the ballot, in small print to the right his or her name, the name of any political principle, movement, or organization with which the candidate wishes to be identified. The name of the political principle, movement, or organization must be identified on the declaration of candidacy, must contain not more than three (3) words, and must not include, in whole or in part, the name of any political party. If any declaration of candidacy does not contain the name of any political principle, movement, or organization, the word "independent" will appear in small print to the right the name of the candidate on the ballot. Except as provided in this section, the powers and duties of the secretary of state with respect to the preparation of the ballots shall not be affected.History of Section.P.L. 1994, ch. 342, § 3; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
RI Gen L § 17-19-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies|Section 17-19-10 - Sample ballots - Contents - Distribution.

§ 17-19-10. Sample ballots — Contents — Distribution.The secretary of state shall prepare a sample ballot that shall be a copy of the computer ballot to be used. The sample ballot shall clearly and briefly explain and illustrate the manner of casting a vote, of voting for candidates individually, and of voting upon questions. The secretary of state shall furnish a reasonable supply of sample ballots to the state board of elections, for public distribution upon request, and no fewer than three (3) of the sample ballots shall be furnished for each voting place.History of Section.P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 11; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 6; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3203, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-11; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-10; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2014, ch. 279, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 280, § 1.