reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-21.1. - Polling place bake sales.

§ 17-19-21.1. Polling place bake sales.
Bake sales may be held at polling places as long as conduct does not interfere with the orderly conduct of the scheduled election.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 26, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 41, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-22. - Party checkers, runners, and watchers.

§ 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 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 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.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 12; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-26; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-22; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 400, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-22.1. - Bilingual poll workers.

§ 17-19-22.1. Bilingual poll workers.
Any board which determines that it requires ballots printed in a language other than English, pursuant to the provisions of § 17-19-54(a), shall provide at each polling place at least one individual who is fluent in the language for each language for which those ballots were sought. Such person or persons shall be available to assist voters in casting their ballots, upon request by the individual or at the direction of the warden, during all hours of poll operations. In addition, such person or persons shall otherwise comply with the provisions of § 17-19-26.1.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 396, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-23. - Wardens and supervisors — Powers and duties.

§ 17-19-23. Wardens and supervisors — Powers and duties.
The wardens shall:
(1)
Have general supervision of the voting place;
(2)
[Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 341, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 364, § 1.]
(3)
Assign and reassign and relieve the bipartisan pairs of supervisors, as the efficient conduct of the election may require;
(4)
Access the voting list and set it before the bipartisan pairs, if it has not been divided in sections, or set each section before a bipartisan pair where it has been divided in sections, immediately preceding the opening of the polls;
(5)
[Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 341, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 364, § 1.]
(6)
Be vigilant and responsible to prevent any voter from voting more than once;
(7)
Cause to be established a single line of persons desiring to vote and enlist the assistance of the supervisors and the police in attendance to maintain that line;
(8)
As far as consistent with their other duties, station themselves at the entrance to the polling area and prevent any person from entering the designated voting area, except under the authority of this chapter, and prevent any person from entering that area for the purpose of voting until that person’s name has been announced and that person’s identity certified according to law by the supervisors in charge of the voting list, and shall prevent any voter from departing the enclosed space while in possession of his or her computer ballot. A notice shall be provided by the state board and posted in a conspicuous place advising that it is a felony for a voter to leave the enclosed area while in possession of his or her ballot. The voter has the option of casting his or her ballot or surrendering the ballot to the warden whereby it will be marked void;
(9)
Cause to be removed or arrested any person or official who commits a violation of the election law in their presence or disturbs the conduct of the voting; provided, that they shall not cause any removal or arrest without the approval of the election inspector, unless the clerk agrees with the wardens that the person or official should be arrested or removed;
(10)
Have the power to administer oaths as required by this title, and to attest the oaths by signature in proof of the administration of the oaths.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 10; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-20; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-23; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1958 (s.s.), ch. 216, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2016, ch. 341, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 364, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-23.1. - Certification and appointment of election officials.

§ 17-19-23.1. Certification and appointment of election officials.
(a)
All persons who attend and complete a program of instruction for election officials under § 17-7-5(a)(6) shall be issued a certificate by the board of elections. In addition to the compensation to which they are otherwise entitled, these persons shall also be entitled to receive the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) upon the performance of their duties on election day. The certificate shall be valid for a period of one year; provided, that the certificate shall be revocable at the discretion of the board of elections if the board believes that new developments have occurred requiring the re-certification of these persons.
(b)
Election officials shall, whenever practicable, be appointed from lists of certificated persons.
(c)
The board of elections shall have the authority to adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 523, § 2; P.L. 1989, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-23.2. - Compensation of election officials.

§ 17-19-23.2. Compensation of election officials.
Cities and towns are authorized to compensate moderators, clerks, inspectors, supervisors and any other election official at a daily rate in excess of any statutory allowable amount. Any excess shall be the responsibility of the authorizing city or town.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 74, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-23.3. - Repealed.

§ 17-19-23.3. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1996, ch. 383, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2008, ch. 446, § 1, effective July 8, 2008. For comparable provisions, see § 17-11-12.1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-24.1. - Provisional voting under the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

§ 17-19-24.1. Provisional voting under the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
(a)
If an individual’s name does not appear on the certified voting list as provided for in § 17-19-24(b) and the individual is eligible to vote in an election for federal office or an election official asserts that the individual is not eligible to vote in the district in which the individual desires to vote, then the individual shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot as provided in Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252) [42 U.S.C. § 15481].
(b)
Provisional ballots provided for in this section shall be cast in accordance with rules and regulations which shall be promulgated by the state board of elections in accordance with the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252) [42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq.].
History of Section.
P.L. 2003, ch. 234, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-24.2. - Voter identification.

§ 17-19-24.2. Voter identification.
(a)
Beginning on January 1, 2012, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special election, or general election shall provide proof of identity. For purposes of this section, proof of identity shall be valid if unexpired or expired no more than six (6) months prior to voting, and shall include:
(1)
A valid and current document showing a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including without limitation:
(i)
Rhode Island driver’s license;
(ii)
Rhode Island voter identification card;
(iii)
United States passport;
(iv)
Identification card issued by a United States educational institution;
(v)
United States military identification card;
(vi)
Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island;
(vii)
Government issued medical card.
(2)
A valid and current document without a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including without limitation:
(i)
Birth certificate;
(ii)
Social security card;
(iii)
Government issued medical card.
(b)
From and after January 1, 2014, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special election, or general election shall provide proof of identity listed in subsection (a)(1).
(c)
No later than January 1, 2012, Rhode Island voter identification cards will be issued upon request, and at no expense to the voters, at locations and in accordance with procedures established by rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of state. The purpose of this section is to provide voter identification cards to those voters who do not possess the identification listed in subsection (a)(1).
(d)
If the person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter is unable to provide proof of identity as required in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) above, the person claiming to be a registered voter shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot pursuant to § 17-19-24.3 upon completing a provisional ballot voter’s certificate and affirmation. The local board shall determine the validity of the provisional ballot pursuant to § 17-19-24.3.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 199, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 201, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 62, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 74, § 1; P.L. 2020, ch. 79, art. 2, § 9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-24.3. - Provisional ballot procedures.

§ 17-19-24.3. Provisional ballot procedures.
(a)
At all elections, a person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter, but who has failed to provide proof of identity pursuant to § 17-19-24.2 shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot upon executing a provisional ballot voter’s application. All provisional ballots, together with a provisional ballot voter’s application, shall be placed in an envelope in the form prescribed by the state board and deposited in a ballot box.
(b)
The local board shall examine each provisional ballot application to determine if the signature matches the signature on the voter’s registration. If the local board determines that the signatures match, the provisional ballot shall count. If the local board determines that the signatures do not match, the provisional ballot shall not count and the ballot shall remain in the envelope containing the provisional ballot application and the envelope shall be marked “Rejected as Illegal”.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 199, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-25. - Certified voting list — Duty of bipartisan supervisor.

§ 17-19-25. Certified voting list — Duty of bipartisan supervisor.
Immediately upon the close of the polls, the bipartisan pair of supervisors shall securely bind, tie, or seal the certified voting list in the manner that shall be required by the state board, and the supervisors shall affix thereon their certificate under oath that the marks within the certified voting list next to each voter’s name comprise one for each person who was permitted to pass before the warden and to cast a vote at the election, and that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief no person voted at the election who did not sign the certified voter list, and that each of the persons was identified in the manner provided by law before being permitted to vote. The bipartisan pair of supervisors shall then give the certified voter list to the warden, who shall deliver the list to the local board together with the affidavits and materials used at the election.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 315, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 460, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-26. - Models for instruction — Assistance to voters in marking their ballot.

§ 17-19-26. Models for instruction — Assistance to voters in marking their ballot.
Any person desiring information or assistance in voting on election day shall apply to the warden, who shall instruct the person by the use of the sample ballots. If a voter needs assistance in casting his or her vote itself, and requests this assistance, the warden shall direct the second or additional bipartisan pair to instruct or assist the voter. The bipartisan pair shall enter the voting booth with the voter and instruct the voter in the marking of his or her ballot, and if the voter has no further need of them, they shall both withdraw before the voter casts his or her vote. If, the voter is unable to mark his or her ballot, the bipartisan pair shall mark the ballot for the voter as he or she directs, but unless ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, neither member of the pair shall disclose for whom and how the voter voted. In every case of this nature, both members of the bipartisan pair shall enter and leave the voting booth together, and it shall be a violation of this chapter for either to enter or remain alone.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 20; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 16; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-37; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-26; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1967, ch. 43, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-26.1. - Voting assistance.

§ 17-19-26.1. Voting assistance.
(a)
Any voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union.
(b)
Every voter who requires assistance pursuant to this section, and every person furnishing assistance to a voter pursuant to this section, shall make and file with the warden an affidavit in substantially the following form:
AFFIDAVIT OF VOTER REQUIRING ASSISTANCE
Under the penalty prescribed by law I hereby make affidavit that
I, _______________________________________ ,
of _______________________________________
Print Name of Voter
Street Address of Voter
_______________________________________ , hereby choose _______________________________________
City/Town of Voter
Print Name of Assistant
to provide assistance to me because I am either blind, disabled or unable to read or write in the English language and do hereby certify that the person chosen to assist me is not my employer, or agent of my employer, or officer or agent of my union.
_______________________________________
Signature of Voter
Under the penalty prescribed by law I hereby make affidavit that
I, _______________________________________
Print Name of Person Assisting Voter, of
_________________________________________
Street and City/Town Address of Person Assisting Voter
having been chosen by _______________________________________
Print Name of Voter
to provide assistance to voter by reason of either blindness, disability or inability to read or write in the English language on the part of the voter, do hereby certify that I am not the voter's employer, or agent of that employer, or officer or agent of the voter's union.
_______________________________________
Signature of Person Assisting Voter
Subscribed and sworn to on this ___________ day of _____________________ A.D. 20___________ .
_______________________________________
Signature of Warden
Voter’s Ballot Application No. ___________
(c)
An affidavit will be made available only upon request by the voter to the warden in the polling place.
(d)
Every person who makes a false affidavit under this section shall be guilty of a felony.
(e)
Under the penalty prescribed by law, the “assistant” is prohibited from marking a vote on the computer ballot, unless otherwise requested by the voter who, due to a physical disability, is unable to mark his or her ballot.
(f)
No person may approach a voter and ask if he or she needs assistance, once the voter is within the voting place or waiting in line to vote or within fifty (50) feet of the entrance or entrances to the building as prescribed in § 17-19-49.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 176, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 293, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 40; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 40.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-27. - Challenge of identity as to right to vote.

§ 17-19-27. Challenge of identity as to right to vote.
Whenever the identity of any person offering to vote is challenged at the polling place, that person shall be permitted to vote only using a provisional ballot as defined in § 17-19-24.1.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, §§ 22, 26; P.L. 1952, ch. 2897, § 6; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-10-37, 17-10-38; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-27; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 116, § 15; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 8; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 52; P.L. 2006, ch. 315, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 460, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-28. - Repealed.

§ 17-19-28. Repealed.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 24; P.L. 1942, ch. 1211, § 1; P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 8; P.L. 1952, ch. 2897, § 3; P.L. 1956, ch. 3746, § 2; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-10-33 — 17-10-35; R.P.L. 1957, ch. 134, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-28; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 8; Repealed by P.L. 2006, ch. 315, § 4, effective July 4, 2006; P.L. 2006, ch. 460, § 4, effective July 7, 2006.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-29. - Repealed.

§ 17-19-29. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 33; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-29; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2006, ch. 315, § 4, effective July 4, 2006; P.L. 2006, ch. 460, § 4, effective July 7, 2006.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-30. - Voters who register by making a mark rather than signature.

§ 17-19-30. Voters who register by making a mark rather than signature.
Any voter who has registered by making his or her mark rather than his or her signature, or who shall be physically unable to sign his or her name at the time of offering himself or herself to vote, shall identify himself or herself with proof of identity as required under § 17-19-24.2. They shall permit the voter to affix the voter’s mark on the electronic pollbook in their presence and shall record their approval on the electronic pollbook as in other cases.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 203, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 263, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-31. - Irregular ballots.

§ 17-19-31. Irregular ballots.
Ballots voted for any person whose name does not appear on the ballot as a nominated candidate for office are referred to in this section as “irregular ballots.” In voting for presidential electors, a voter may vote an irregular ticket made up of the names of persons in nomination by different parties; or partly of names of persons in nomination and partly of names of persons not in nomination; or wholly of names of persons not in nomination by any party. Scanned images of the computer ballot containing the irregular ballot shall be stored digitally on physical electronic media in the optical-scan precinct-count unit. With that exception, no irregular ballot shall be voted for any person for any office whose name appears on the ballot as a nominated candidate for that office; any irregular ballot so voted shall not be counted. An irregular ballot must be cast in its appropriate place on the ballot, or it shall be void and not counted and no irregular ballots shall be counted at primaries; provided, that at any presidential primary, irregular ballots shall be counted for those persons whose names have been written in for the office of president. At the close of the polls, irregular ballots shall be packaged according to § 17-19-33 and shall be immediately delivered to the local board of canvassers. The local board shall receive the tape from the optical precinct-count unit containing printed images of each written name on the irregular ballots, or the physical electronic media containing images of the irregular ballots and record all write-in votes cast for all federal, state, and local races listed on the tape. The local board shall notify the state board of the results through a procedure promulgated by the state board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 17; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 13; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-27; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-31; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 199, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 7, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 205, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-32. - Recording and signing of returns.

§ 17-19-32. Recording and signing of returns.
Immediately upon the close of the polls the warden shall, in the presence of the other election or primary election officers and the election inspector, follow the procedure for the closing of the unit set forth by the vendor of the optical scan precinct count unit. The warden and clerk shall sign the first copy of the tape containing the votes cast and shall remove the tape from the optical scan precinct count unit. The warden shall then obtain three (3) additional copies of the tape containing the vote totals from the optical scan precinct count unit, and the warden shall proceed to read off in a clear and loud voice the vote for each candidate, and upon each question as indicated by the vote totals on the printed tape and the number of votes cast for persons not nominated.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 18; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-28; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-32; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2006, ch. 192, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 313, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-33. - Sealing of voting equipment — Sealing and forwarding of results, programmed memory devices and keys.

§ 17-19-33. Sealing of voting equipment — Sealing and forwarding of results, programmed memory devices and keys.
(a)
The copies of the printout tape from the optical-scan precinct-count unit obtained pursuant to § 17-19-32 shall be distributed as follows:
(1)
The first copy, which includes the opening of the polling place information, signatures of the warden and clerk, a timed audit trail of certain events occurring with respect to the optical-scan precinct-count system, and the vote totals for each candidate, shall be attached to the return sheet as provided in § 17-19-11 and immediately delivered to the local board of canvassers where it is processed and delivered to the state board of elections through a procedure promulgated by the state board;
(2)
A copy shall be made available to the public at the polling place;
(3)
A copy shall be immediately delivered to the local board of canvassers attached to the return sheet as provided in § 17-19-11, together with the polling place supplies, including the key to the optical-scan precinct-count unit and other voting equipment and containers; and
(4)
A copy shall be included with the voted ballots and packaged pursuant to this chapter.
(5)
The certified paper or electronic voter list containing voters’ signatures shall be secured separately and returned to the local board of canvassers.
(6)
All completed official affidavits, forms, reports, and supplies shall be packaged and delivered to the local board for subsequent delivery to the state board.
(b)
The warden shall:
(1)
Remove all voted ballots from the compartment of the optical-scan precinct-count unit and package them in the container provided and labeled as voted ballots and stored pursuant to § 17-19-39.1;
(2)
[Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.]
(3)
Package all ballots from the emergency bin that have not been counted in the container provided and labeled as manual-count ballots and deliver to the local canvassing authority. Any ballots packaged and labeled as manual-count ballots shall remain sealed and delivered to the state board through a procedure promulgated by the state board.
(c)
All ballots so packaged shall be immediately delivered to the local canvassing authority.
(d)
[Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 18; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-29; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-33; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2004, ch. 128, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 494, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 192, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 451, § 9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-34. - Declaration of results and certificates of election in towns not divided into districts.

§ 17-19-34. Declaration of results and certificates of election in towns not divided into districts.
When optical scan precinct count units are used in town elections in towns not divided into voting districts, the warden, after announcing the votes registered by the optical scan precinct count units for the candidates for town offices, and upon questions submitted to the voters of the town, and signing the record of the votes in the record book, shall declare the result of the town election, and certificates shall be issued to the officers declared elected.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 18; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-30; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-34; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-35. - Guarding optical scan precinct count units until resumption of custody by board.

§ 17-19-35. Guarding optical scan precinct count units until resumption of custody by board.
Under orders of the local board, a police officer shall remain at the voting place until the board, personally or by a custodian, resumes custody of the optical scan precinct count units and voting booths.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-31; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-35; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-36. - Tabulation of town returns — Certificate of election.

§ 17-19-36. Tabulation of town returns — Certificate of election.
The local board shall meet on the day following the election and shall tabulate the town or city election returns, as the case may be, and announce the results, but shall issue no certificates of election until the time for petitions filed under this section has expired and, if a petition has been filed, until the petition has been finally determined. Any candidate at the election challenging the correctness of the declaration of result as applied to the candidate may, within seven (7) days after the election, petition the state board to conduct a recount of the votes cast according to the provisions set forth in § 17-19-37.1. After the completion of the recount, and if it finds that the candidate was elected, it shall direct the local board to issue to the candidate a certificate of election, but if it finds that the candidate declared to be elected by the local board was in fact elected, it shall direct the board to issue a certificate of election to the candidate previously declared elected.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-32; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-36; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1968, ch. 248, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-37. - Tabulation of state returns — Certificate of election.

§ 17-19-37. Tabulation of state returns — Certificate of election.
The state board shall proceed to tabulate the state election returns and declare the results as provided in chapter 22 of this title, and any candidate at the election challenging the result as applied to him or her may petition the board within seven (7) days after the declaration to conduct a recount of the votes cast in the candidate’s election according to the provisions set forth in § 17-19-37.1. After the completion of the recount, and as soon as it can do so consistent with its other duties, the state board shall issue a certificate of election to the state and federal candidate it determines to have been elected.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-33; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-37; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-37.2. - Recount eligibility — Write-in candidates for public office.

§ 17-19-37.2. Recount eligibility — Write-in candidates for public office.
(1)
A write-in candidate for election to public office shall be eligible to request a recount of the votes cast in a race:
(a)
If, following the initial manual count of all irregular ballots, the write-in candidate shall have received a minimum of ten (10) votes or one percent (1%) of the votes cast in the race, whichever is greater; provided, however, that if no candidates appear on the ballot in said race and only write-in candidates receive votes, a write-in candidate shall be required to receive at least ten (10) votes in the race; and
(b)
The write-in candidate shall trail the winning candidate by less than the number of votes as may be required to qualify for a recount pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of § 17-19-37.1, as is applicable.
(2)
A write-in candidate for public office who is eligible to request a recount pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may request a recount of the irregular ballots cast at each precinct by a manual recounting of said ballots. In addition, the state board may, upon its own motion, determine to manually re-feed the computer ballots cast at each precinct in the race into the optical scan voting equipment.
The state board shall have the authority to adopt rules and regulations to implement and administer the provisions of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 264, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 483, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-38. - Custody of optical scan precinct count units pending return to storage.

§ 17-19-38. Custody of optical scan precinct count units pending return to storage.
After the close of the polls, the local board shall resume custody of the voting equipment until the voting equipment is removed by the state board or its designee. The local board shall take all necessary measures to prevent the voting equipment from being opened, tampered with, injured, or damaged.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 19; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 15; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-35; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-38; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2006, ch. 192, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 313, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-39. - Power to open voting equipment.

§ 17-19-39. Power to open voting equipment.
The state board of elections shall have the right to open any and all voting equipment either before, during or after an election in the presence of the proper election officials of the city or town in which the election is held for the purpose of examining the voting equipment; provided, that no programmed memory cartridge shall be erased until after the expiration of ten (10) days from the election at which the voting equipment was used, unless said memory cartridge is required by the state board for the purpose of conducting recounts.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 19; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 15; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-36; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-39; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2004, ch. 128, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 494, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-39.1. - Voted ballot storage and security.

§ 17-19-39.1. Voted ballot storage and security.
(a)
Voted computer ballots that were counted at the state board shall be stored in containers by the state board until the expiration of twenty-two (22) months from the date of election and voted computer ballots that were voted and packaged at a local precinct or counted at the local board shall be held and stored in containers by the local board in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the state board until the expiration of twenty-two (22) months from the date of election. The voted ballots shall remain stored in the appropriate containers unless ordered to be opened by the state board or a court of law. The computer file containing ballot layout information and candidate totals shall be transferred to a disk and retained permanently.
(b)
Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, the state board shall have the authority to examine and inspect the voted ballots subsequent to the certification of an election.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 128, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 494, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 501, § 97.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-40. - Repealed.

§ 17-19-40. Repealed.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 318, §§ 23, 24; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; G.L. 1956, ch. 318, § 24; P.L. 1956, ch. 3755, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-45; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 17; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 17, effective January 1, 1997.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-41. - Violations by public officers.

§ 17-19-41. Violations by public officers.
Any public officer upon whom a duty is imposed by this chapter who willfully neglects to perform that duty, or who performs it in a way as to hinder the objects of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 21; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 17; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-38; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-41; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-42. - Tampering with voting equipment.

§ 17-19-42. Tampering with voting equipment.
Any person, not being an election or primary officer or person upon whom a duty is imposed by this chapter, who, while any voting equipment is being made ready for an election or primary, or is in use during an election or primary, tampers with, disarranges, defaces, injures, or impairs the voting equipment in any manner, or mutilates, injures, destroys, or disarranges any computer ballot, or any other appliance used in connection with the voting equipment, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 22; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 18; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-42; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-43. - Tampering with sample ballot.

§ 17-19-43. Tampering with sample ballot.
Every person who willfully and without lawful authority destroys, secretes, removes, defaces, alters, tampers, or meddles with a sample ballot, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 18; P.L. 1952, ch. 2924, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-40; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-43; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-44. - Officer tampering with voting equipment.

§ 17-19-44. Officer tampering with voting equipment.
Any person having the custody of voting equipment under this chapter, or any election or primary officer, who, with intent to cause or permit any voting equipment to fail to correctly register all votes cast, tampers with, injures, or disarranges the voting equipment in any way, or any part of the voting equipment, or who causes or consents to the voting equipment being used for voting at any election or primary with knowledge of the fact that the voting equipment is not in order or not properly set and programmed so that it will correctly register all votes cast, or who, for the purpose of defrauding or deceiving any voter or of causing it to be doubtful for what candidates or question any vote is cast, or of causing it to appear upon the voting equipment that votes cast for one candidate or question were cast for another candidate or question, removes, changes, or mutilates any computer ballot or any part of any computer ballot, or does anything to defeat the will or intention of a voter in casting a lawful vote, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 19; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 19; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-41; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-44; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-45. - Fraudulent election returns.

§ 17-19-45. Fraudulent election returns.
Any election or primary officer who, at the close of the polls, purposely causes the vote registered by any optical scan precinct count unit or related voting equipment to be incorrectly recorded or returned as to any candidate, person, or question, or who knowingly consents to these things, or any of them, being done, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 24; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 20; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-42; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-45; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-46. - False instructions as to marking a computer ballot and the operation of optical scan precinct count units.

§ 17-19-46. False instructions as to marking a computer ballot and the operation of optical scan precinct count units.
Whoever, with intent to defraud a voter of his or her vote, or to cause a voter to lose his or her vote, gives in any way, or prints, writes, circulates, or causes to be written, printed, or circulated, any improper, false, misleading, or incorrect instructions or advice or suggestions of how to vote by computer ballot in conjunction with the optical scan precinct count unit, the following of which would cause any voter to lose his or her votes or would cause him or her to fail to register or record the votes on the optical scan precinct count unit for any candidate or question according to his or her choice, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 25; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 21; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-43; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-46; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-47. - Improper possession of voting equipment keys or duplicates.

§ 17-19-47. Improper possession of voting equipment keys or duplicates.
Any unauthorized person who makes a duplicate of, or has in his or her possession, a key to any voting equipment used at any election, or any election officer who keeps one or more keys to the voting equipment and fails or refuses to return them immediately after the election to the officer charged by law with the duty of caring for the keys, and any custodian who keeps one or more of the keys after he or she has prepared the voting equipment for election and refuses to turn the keys over to the officer charged by law with the care of the keys, and any officer charged by law with the care of the keys who keeps the keys and refuses to deliver them over to the officer’s successor in office, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 26; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 22; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-44; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-47; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 9; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-48. - Posting of original voter registration records.

§ 17-19-48. Posting of original voter registration records.
Following the return of the certified voting lists to the local boards, each board shall cause the original registration records to reflect the appropriate voting facts from the immediately preceding election and shall also post the appropriate voting facts set forth in the list of absentee voters furnished by the state board pursuant to the requirements of chapter 22 of this title following the counting, canvassing, and tabulation of votes cast pursuant to chapter 20 of this title. The state board, by regulation, shall provide direction to local boards in the recording of voting facts and information.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-49. - Political literature and influence.

§ 17-19-49. Political literature and influence.
No poster, paper, circular, or other document designed or tending to aid, injure, or defeat any candidate for public office or any political party on any question submitted to the voters shall be distributed or displayed within the voting place or within fifty (50) feet of the entrance or entrances to the building in which voting is conducted at any primary or election. Neither shall any election official display on his or her person within the voting place any political party button, badge, or other device tending to aid, injure, or defeat the candidacy of any person for public office or any question submitted to the voters or to intimidate or influence the voters.
History of Section.
P.L. 1962, ch. 201, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-50. - Candidates listing on ballot.

§ 17-19-50. Candidates listing on ballot.
No candidate for any public office shall be permitted to have his or her name appear in more than one place on the ballot for the same office.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 267, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-51. - Priority for elderly voters.

§ 17-19-51. Priority for elderly voters.
At each polling place, one voting booth shall be designated for priority use by electors over sixty-five (65) years of age. These electors, once they have complied with the requirements of § 17-19-24, shall, upon request, be permitted to vote immediately in the designated voting booth. Other voters below the age of sixty-five (65) years may use the designated voting booth when there are no voters above that age waiting to vote.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 21; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies › Section 17-19-52. - Priority for disabled voters.

§ 17-19-52. Priority for disabled voters.
Whenever a voter appears at a polling place and that voter has: (1) an obvious medical disability which, in the opinion of the warden, would cause the voter to experience severe discomfort by standing in line, or (2) a certificate from a licensed physician or Christian Science practitioner attesting that the voter has a disability which makes his or her standing in line inadvisable, then that voter may be allowed a priority position for complying with requirements of § 17-19-24 and in each polling place one voting booth shall be designated for priority use by these electors. Other voters may use the voting booth when there are no disabled voters waiting to vote.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 369, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12.