2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-1 - General Provisions › Section 17-1-3. - Eligibility to vote. [Effective until January 1, 2024.]

§ 17-1-3. Eligibility to vote. [Effective until January 1, 2024.]
Every citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, whose residence as defined in § 17-1-3.1 has been in this state for at least thirty (30) days, and in the town or city and voting district in which that person desires to cast his or her vote at least thirty (30) days next preceding the election, and who is registered in that city or town and voting district at least thirty (30) days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote in the election; provided, a person may vote in a primary election only if that person is eligible under the provisions of this title. A person who has not registered to vote, or whose registration has been canceled pursuant to § 17-10-1, may cast a vote for president and vice-president on election day at his or her city or town hall or at an alternate location designated by the board of canvassers, and approved by the board of elections, where such location is deemed necessary to better accommodate such voters. The casting of that vote shall commence the process of voter registration and subject the person voting to the requirements and penalties of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 152, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 246, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 75, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 84, § 1.
§ 17-1-3. Eligibility to vote. [Effective January 1, 2024.]
(a)
Every citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, whose residence as defined in § 17-1-3.1 has been in this state for at least thirty (30) days, and in the town or city and voting district in which that person desires to cast his or her vote at least thirty (30) days next preceding the election, and who is registered in that city or town and voting district at least thirty (30) days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote in the election; provided, a person may vote in a primary election only if that person is eligible under the provisions of this title. A person who has not registered to vote, or whose registration has been canceled pursuant to § 17-10-1, may cast a vote for president and vice-president on election day at the person’s city or town hall or at an alternate location designated by the board of canvassers, and approved by the board of elections, where such location is deemed necessary to better accommodate such voters. The casting of that vote shall commence the process of voter registration and subject the person voting to the requirements and penalties of this chapter.
(b)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any person who has not yet reached age eighteen (18), but will be age eighteen (18) at the time of a general election, may vote in a primary election, in which candidates are nominated for a general or special election.
(c)
The provisions of subsection (b) shall not extend to any other elections.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 152, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 246, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 75, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 84, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 123, § 1, effective January 1, 2024; P.L. 2023, ch. 124, § 1, effective January 1, 2024.