reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-1.4. - Election systems cybersecurity review board.

§ 17-6-1.4. Election systems cybersecurity review board.
(a)
The secretary of state shall establish an election systems cybersecurity review board. The review board shall be comprised of the secretary of state, or designee; the executive director of the board of elections, or designee; the executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; a representative from the Rhode Island national guard; a representative from the Rhode Island state police; and a representative from the Rhode Island division of information technology.
(b)
The secretary of state, or designee, shall serve as chairperson of the review board.
(c)
It shall be the duty of the election systems cybersecurity review board to review the assessments conducted by the board of elections and department of state and also to procure a third-party assessment of the election systems. The review board will provide a security analysis of the election systems and election facilities and shall issue a report based on its assessment with any recommendations to improve the cybersecurity of the election systems and election facilities.
(d)
The secretary of state shall adopt rules defining classes of protected election data and establish best practices for identifying and reducing risk to the electronic use, storage, and transmission of election data and the security of election systems.
(e)
The cybersecurity review board shall issue a report no later than two (2) months prior to a statewide primary election referenced in § 17-15-1.
History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 59, § 2, effective June 15, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 60, § 2, effective June 15, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-2. - Primary elections.

§ 17-6-2. Primary elections.
(a)
The secretary of state shall, as otherwise provided by this title, prepare, print, and distribute the following forms relating to primary elections:
(1)
Declaration of candidacy;
(2)
Endorsement by party;
(3)
Primary nomination papers for national and state offices;
(4)
Certifications of the list of local candidates where primaries are to be conducted.
(b)
The secretary of state shall also receive and file primary nomination papers; and shall consult with the state board with respect to its administration of primary elections.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 389, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-3. - Computer ballots and sample ballots.

§ 17-6-3. Computer ballots and sample ballots.
The secretary of state shall be responsible for the arrangement, preparation, printing, and provision of all computer ballots, to be used in conjunction with the optical scan voting equipment authorized pursuant to this title, and sample ballots to be used at any election. The secretary of state shall deliver to the state board a sufficient quantity of sample ballots to be used by the board in the preparation of voting equipment for each election.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 5; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-4. - Absentee, shut-in, and war ballots.

§ 17-6-4. Absentee, shut-in, and war ballots.
The secretary of state shall prepare, print, and furnish all application forms for absentee, shut-in, and war ballots. The secretary of state shall arrange, print, and distribute all these ballots, together with instruction sheets and the required envelopes, in accordance with the requirements of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-5. - Registration lists available to political parties and candidates.

§ 17-6-5. Registration lists available to political parties and candidates.
(a)
Upon application in writing, the secretary of state shall, upon request, furnish prepaid at a reasonable price to be established annually by the secretary and at a reasonable time, to the state chairperson of each political party and to each person proposing to be a duly qualified candidate for state or congressional office and to no one else except as provided in this chapter, lists of registered voters as they appear in the central voter registry of each city or town or of each senatorial or representative district, or of each congressional district.
(b)
These lists, so furnished, shall be used by the chairpersons for political purposes, or by the candidates only in the furtherance of candidacy for political office in the ensuing primary and/or general election and for no other purpose. The information available for each registrant shall consist only of the name, designation of party affiliation, street address, city or town, congressional district, senatorial district, representative district, ward, and/or precinct and nothing else.
(c)
The price for these lists shall include update subscriptions as available to the date of the election for which the lists have been requested. These updates shall reflect changes to the registry records, including all new and deleted voters as received by the secretary of state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 207, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-6. - Oath required as to use of lists.

§ 17-6-6. Oath required as to use of lists.
Every person receiving the registry lists shall take and subscribe to the following oath:
“I understand that the lists requested by me are the property of the state of Rhode Island and (I affirm that I am the state chairperson of the ____ party); (I proposed to be a duly qualified candidate in the next following primary and/or election); and that I am a person authorized by § 17-6-5 to receive a copy of the registry lists described; and I further affirm that the lists will be used only for the purposes prescribed and for no other use and that I will not permit the use of or copying of the lists by unauthorized persons.
____
Signature of purchaser
Subscribed and sworn to before me at ____ , this ____ day of ____ , 20____ .
____
Notary public”
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 207, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-7. - Penalty for violating §§ 17-6-5 and 17-6-6.

§ 17-6-7. Penalty for violating §§ 17-6-5 and 17-6-6.
Every person who violates the provisions of §§ 17-6-5 and 17-6-6 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 207, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-8. - Exception for local canvassing authorities.

§ 17-6-8. Exception for local canvassing authorities.
The secretary of state shall furnish, without charge, to the canvassing authorities of the several cities and towns, lists of registrants pertaining to those respective cities and towns.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 207, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-9. - Public record.

§ 17-6-9. Public record.
All requests for registration lists, and the action taken on those requests by the secretary of state, shall be deemed to be public records and shall be open for inspection during regular business hours.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 207, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-10. - Availability of registration lists.

§ 17-6-10. Availability of registration lists.
These lists shall be made available by the secretary of state not later than June 1 in any year.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 207, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 28.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-11. - Lists not deemed official.

§ 17-6-11. Lists not deemed official.
Registration lists purchased pursuant to §§ 17-6-5 — 17-6-10 are not to be deemed to be the official voting lists for any districts. The official lists are those prepared and published by the several local boards.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 207, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-13. - Electoral process education — Voter information hotline.

§ 17-6-13. Electoral process education — Voter information hotline.
(a)
During each year in which a general election is to be held, the secretary of state shall identify communities within the state in need of electoral process education by outreaching community organizations. Electoral process education shall consist of instruction on how a person may become a candidate for electoral office and how a person registers and votes for candidates for electoral office. The secretary of state shall furnish electoral process education throughout the state of Rhode Island in a manner to be determined by the secretary of state.
(b)
The secretary of state shall make available a free telephone hotline to provide the public with information about the electoral process, including the voting process, registering to vote, and polling locations. This hotline shall be available in multiple languages.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 61, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 45, § 1, effective June 7, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 46, § 1, effective June 7, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-6 - Secretary of State › Section 17-6-14. - Cybersecurity training for local boards of canvassers.

§ 17-6-14. Cybersecurity training for local boards of canvassers.
The secretary of state shall offer training annually regarding cybersecurity best practices to local boards of canvassers.
History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 59, § 2, effective June 15, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 60, § 2, effective June 15, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-1. - Legislative intent.

§ 17-7-1. Legislative intent.
It is the intent of the general assembly that the board of elections be a board on which all the qualified electors of the state, regardless of their political identification or the lack of it, will be eligible to serve. The governor, in making these appointments, and the senate, in confirming them, shall consider the abilities and integrity of the qualified electors under consideration and their knowledge of and/or experience in the working of the election laws of the state. They shall strive to select a board whose membership shall be representative of all citizens of the state and of their diverse points of view.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 312, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-2. - Composition of board.

§ 17-7-2. Composition of board.
There shall be, independent of every other department and agency of this state, a board of elections consisting of seven (7) qualified electors of this state, of outstanding honesty and ability and none of whom shall hold any other public office or be employees of persons who hold state wide public office, but no person shall be disqualified solely because that person is a notary public, who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, as provided in this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 312, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 371, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-3. - Appointment of members — Vacancies.

§ 17-7-3. Appointment of members — Vacancies.
(a)
The governor shall forthwith upon June 8, 1979, appoint seven (7) members of initial terms as follows: one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of two (2) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of four (4) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of six (6) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of eight (8) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of ten (10) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of twelve (12) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of fourteen (14) years; and upon the expiration of the terms, the governor shall appoint persons for succeeding terms of fourteen (14) years, respectively. All members of the board appointed or reappointed after January 1, 2008, shall serve for terms of nine (9) years beginning in January 2008, and in January of every even numbered year thereafter, the chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be elected by majority vote of the members of the board.
(b)
In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson or vice chairperson after January 1, 2008, the board shall in the manner provided in subsection (a) elect another of its members to be chairperson or vice chairperson, to fill the vacancy; provided, if the vacancy occurs as a result of death or resignation, the new chairperson or vice chairperson shall only fill the unexpired term.
(c)
In the event a vacancy occurs on the board, the governor shall appoint within thirty (30) days a new member to fill the vacancy; provided if the vacancy occurs as a result of death or resignation, the new member shall only fill the unexpired term. All appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in accordance with Article IX, section 5 of the Constitution of the state of Rhode Island and §§ 36-1-10 through 36-1-12.
(d)
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 17-7-2 and in order to facilitate communication between the department of state and the board of elections, the secretary of state shall designate a liaison (the director of elections or the deputy secretary of state who oversees the elections division) to serve as a reporting and informational resource at all board of elections meetings with the exception of when the board meets in executive session or is engaged in agenda items addressing issues related to campaign finance or appeal. The board may call upon the department of state liaison to offer insight or clarification, or answer any direct questions, through the chair, from members, in real time, at any time during a meeting, The board of elections shall make a platform available to the liaison to facilitate this process.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 312, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 522, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 140, § 1, effective June 20, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 141, § 1, effective June 20, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-4. - Oath of members — Compensation.

§ 17-7-4. Oath of members — Compensation.
Before entering upon his or her duties, each member of the board shall take an oath of office before the supreme court in which the member shall swear or affirm faithfully and impartially to administer the duties of his or her office without regard to partisan or political considerations. Members of the board of elections shall be compensated at the rate of seven thousand dollars ($7,000) per year.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 312, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 65, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-6. - Secretary and assistants — Salaries.

§ 17-7-6. Secretary and assistants — Salaries.
The state board is authorized to appoint a secretary and necessary assistants who shall perform any duties that the board shall designate. The board shall fix the salaries of the secretary and assistants within the amount appropriated for those salaries by the general assembly, and the general assembly shall annually appropriate the sum or sums that it deems necessary for the payment of the salaries of the members of the board, its appointees and assistants, and for other necessary expenses in connection with their duties; and the controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of this sum or as much of it that may be required from time to time, upon the receipt by the controller of proper vouchers approved by the chairperson, and in the absence of the chairperson, a member of the board designated by the chairperson in writing. The members of the state board, its secretary, assistants, and appointees, shall not be subject to the provisions relating to the state merit system, but shall be in the unclassified service and shall come under the regulations of the unclassified pay plan board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 312, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-7. - Seal of state board.

§ 17-7-7. Seal of state board.
The state board shall have a seal, and shall cause the seal to be affixed to all certificates and statements issued by it.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 312, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-8. - Hearings and investigations — Subpoena powers — False swearing.

§ 17-7-8. Hearings and investigations — Subpoena powers — False swearing.
Each member of the state board shall be authorized to administer oaths, and the board, in all cases of every nature pending before it, is authorized and empowered to summon witnesses by subpoena signed by the secretary of the board and to compel these witnesses to attend and testify in the same manner as witnesses are compelled to appear and testify in any court. The board is authorized to compel by its subpoena attested by its secretary, the production of all papers, books, documents, records, certificates, or other legal evidence that may be necessary or proper for the determination and decision of any question or the discharge of any duty required by law of the board, and every person disobeying any subpoena shall be considered as in contempt, and the board may punish any contempt of its authority in like manner as contempt may be punished by any court. Any person who shall willfully swear falsely in any proceeding, matter, or hearing before the state board shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 312, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-7 - State Board of Elections › Section 17-7-9. - Voter fraud — Posting of penalties.

§ 17-7-9. Voter fraud — Posting of penalties.
The state board of elections shall cause to be posted, in a conspicuous place at all polling locations, a poster stating that voter fraud is a felony with penalties enumerated in §§ 17-23-4 and 17-26-1 and containing the statement: “You must be registered to vote from your actual place of residence.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 187, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-1. - Appointment of bipartisan authority.

§ 17-8-1. Appointment of bipartisan authority.
The legislative body of each city and town shall appoint a bipartisan canvassing authority of three (3) qualified electors of the city or town, not more than two (2) of whom shall belong to the same political party, and may appoint two (2) alternate members, not more than one of whom shall belong to the same political party. At any meeting of the canvassing authority at which a member is to be absent, the member may request that an alternate replace him or her for that meeting; provided, that the alternate member must be of the same political party as the member. The mayor or the president of the town council shall nominate the members of the canvassing authority from lists of party voters submitted by the respective chairpersons of the city or town political committee, which lists shall contain the names of five (5) times the number of persons to be appointed. If the legislative body refuses to approve the nomination of any person to the canvassing authority, the mayor or the president shall submit to the legislative body another person named on one of the lists, and so on until a person is appointed. If the chairperson of the city or town committee of a political party entitled to an appointment fails or refuses to submit a list, the mayor or the president shall nominate any party voter of the political party entitled to the appointment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1956, ch. 3754, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-2; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-1; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 151, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-2. - Term and qualifications for office.

§ 17-8-2. Term and qualifications for office.
Each member of a local canvassing authority shall be appointed to serve for a term of six (6) years beginning on the first Monday of March succeeding the date of his or her appointment and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. No person shall be appointed or serve as a member of the authority who is an officer or employee of the United States or of this state, or who is an officer or employee of the authority’s city or town; provided, that in any city a member of the authority may be employed as its clerk. Any member of the authority who becomes a candidate for election to any public office and who fails to file a declination of the candidacy within the time allowed by law shall be disqualified from holding membership upon the authority and his or her successor shall be immediately elected.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 18; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-15; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-2; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 74; P.L. 2007, ch. 301, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 436, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-3. - Compensation.

§ 17-8-3. Compensation.
Each member of a local board shall receive any compensation that may be provided by the governing body of each city or town; provided, that in the several towns where no other provision is made for compensation, each member of the local board shall be paid by that member’s respective town five dollars ($5.00) per day for every day’s attendance in the discharge of the member’s respective duties, and the town clerks shall be paid, in addition, legal fees for making out and recording the several lists and returns required by this title.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 8, § 21; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 21; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 20; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 8, § 20; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 20; P.L. 1940, ch. 817, § 2; P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 34; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-8-19, 17-8-21; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-3; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-4. - Oath of office of members.

§ 17-8-4. Oath of office of members.
Each person appointed as a member of a local board shall, before entering upon his or her duties, be sworn to the faithful performance of those duties, and a record of the oath shall be kept by the clerk of the board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 18; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-16; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-4; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-5. - Local boards — Powers and duties — Quorum.

§ 17-8-5. Local boards — Powers and duties — Quorum.
(a)
Each canvassing authority shall have and exercise the functions, powers, and duties provided for local boards by this title or by any law not inconsistent with this title. It shall:
(1)
Select one of its members as presiding officer and another as clerk of the board; provided, that nothing in this title shall be deemed to affect the powers and duties of the town clerk who shall be ex officio the clerk of the respective town canvassing authorities; and provided, further, that in the cities of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Newport, Woonsocket, Cranston, and Warwick, the clerk shall be designated at the time of his or her election or appointment;
(2)
Have and discharge all of the functions, powers, and duties of the town council concerning nominations, elections, registration of voters and canvassing rights, the preparing and correcting of voting lists, and other related matters, which powers are transferred to the local board;
(3)
Make or furnish all returns or other things required by law to be made or furnished to or by city clerks, boards of canvassers, and district clerks, relative to any matter within the purview of this title;
(4)
Appoint and employ all its necessary clerical and technical assistants and fix the compensation of each person appointed, within the limits of funds available to it pursuant to law; provided, that in the cities of Cranston and Woonsocket and the town of Coventry the employment and compensation shall be subject to the approval of the respective city or town councils.
(b)
A quorum of a local board for the purpose of receiving registrations shall be comprised of one member of the board, and for all other purposes a quorum shall be comprised of two (2) members.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 8, §§ 24, 26; P.L. 1908, ch. 1608, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, §§ 23, 26, 35; G.L., ch. 7, §§ 3, 9; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 1; P.L. 1916, ch. 1422, § 1; P.L. 1920, ch. 1962, § 1; P.L. 1920, ch. 1975, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 7, §§ 3, 9; P.L. 1926, ch. 924, § 1; P.L. 1927, ch. 1085, § 1; P.L. 1931, ch. 1804, § 1; P.L. 1935, ch. 2192, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 312, §§ 3, 6, 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 25; P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 18; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-8-5, 17-8-6, 17-8-10, 17-8-12, 17-8-14, 17-8-17, 17-8-18; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 403, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-6. - Fees in cities other than Cranston and Woonsocket.

§ 17-8-6. Fees in cities other than Cranston and Woonsocket.
The local boards in the cities of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Newport, and Warwick shall not retain to their own use any of the fees now allowed by law to recording and certifying officers, but shall charge and collect the statutory fees for any record, certificate, or copy required by law to be made by the board, and shall pay over the fees on the first business day of every month to the city treasurer of the respective city; provided, that those boards shall furnish, as now required by law, certified copies of any list of qualified electors in any representative district, ward, or voting district in the city on payment of the sum of one dollar ($1.00) for each certified list, which sums shall also be paid into the city treasury of the cities as provided in this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1896, ch. 363, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 33; G.L. 1909, ch. 7, § 7; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 7, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 312, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-11; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-6; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-7. - Power of boards to administer oaths and subpoena evidence — Self-incrimination — False swearing.

§ 17-8-7. Power of boards to administer oaths and subpoena evidence — Self-incrimination — False swearing.
The members of the local boards are severally authorized to administer oaths, and the boards, in all cases of every nature pending before them, are authorized and empowered to summon witnesses by subpoena signed by the clerk of those boards, and to compel these witnesses to attend and testify in the same manner as witnesses are compelled to appear and testify in any court; and the boards are authorized to compel the production of all papers, books, documents, records, certificates, or other legal evidence that may be necessary or proper for the determination and decision of any question or the discharge of any duty required by law of the boards, by issuing a subpoena duces tecum, signed by their clerk. Every person disobeying any subpoena shall be adjudged as in contempt, and the boards may punish any contempt of their authority in like manner as contempt may be punished by any court, and the boards may, at any meeting held for the purpose of canvassing the voting lists, examine under oath the person whose right to vote is disputed or any other person, and may receive any other evidence that the boards may deem necessary respecting the right of any person to have his or her name upon the registry or to vote, and shall decide upon the right. No evidence elicited in the examination shall be used against the person so examined in any criminal prosecution against him or her, except a prosecution for perjury in the examination. Any person who shall willfully swear falsely in any proceeding, matter, or hearing before the boards or any of them shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1896, ch. 363, § 4; C.P.A. 1905, § 1221; P.L. 1908, ch. 1608, § 9; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, §§ 32, 43; G.L. 1909, ch. 7, § 13; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 7, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 312, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-20; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-7; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-8. - General penalty clause.

§ 17-8-8. General penalty clause.
Every person who violates any provision of this chapter, unless another penalty is provided in this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 312, § 38; P.L. 1940, ch. 819, § 4; P.L. 1940, ch. 819, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-22; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-8; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 5; P.L. 1994, ch. 99, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 264, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-9. - Local boards open on election day.

§ 17-8-9. Local boards open on election day.
In addition to duties as otherwise fixed by law, it shall be the duty of the local board to keep open on all election days, from the hour fixed for the opening of the polls until the hour fixed for the closing of the polls, and to remain in session during the hours at a regular place of meeting of the board, council, or other body.
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2192, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 24; impl. am. P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, §§ 8, 10; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-32; G.L. 1956, § 17-8-9; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-8 - Local Canvassing Authorities › Section 17-8-10. - Publication of local questions to be submitted to voters.

§ 17-8-10. Publication of local questions to be submitted to voters.
(a)
Prior to each local election at which public questions are to be submitted, the local board shall cause to be prominently posted in at least three (3) local public locations and advertised at least once in a newspaper of local circulation, or in lieu of the requirement to place the advertisement in a newspaper of local circulation, the City of Pawtucket may mail to the household of each registered voter prior to the election the full text of each legislative act to be acted upon and the election date, or the local board may substitute a description of the text of each act in lieu of the full text, together with the following information:
(1)
The designated number of the question;
(2)
A brief caption of the question;
(3)
A brief explanation of the measure that is the subject matter of the question; and
(4)
A notice that voter fraud is a felony and the penalty for voter fraud. This notice shall be in conspicuous lettering and shall contain the following language: “You must be registered to vote from your actual place of residence.”
(b)
If the public question involves the issuance of bonds or other evidence of indebtedness or any other long-term financial obligation such as a lease, the notice required by subsection (a) of this section shall also include at least the following information to be provided:
(1)
The estimated total cost of the project or program, including financing (using a reasonable assumed rate of interest), legal, and other costs.
(2)
The estimated useful life of the project, and the term of the bonds, other indebtedness, or other obligation.
(3)
A reasonably detailed description of the project or program, its purposes, and a project timetable.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 448, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 195, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 220, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9 - Registration of Voters [Repealed.] › Section 17-9-1 - — 17-9-27. Repealed.

§ 17-9-1 — 17-9-27. Repealed.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 7, § 7; G.L. 1909, ch. 7, §§ 7, 20; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 1; P.L. 1920 ch. 1867, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 6, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 7, § 20; G.L. 1938, ch. 310, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 312, § 21; P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, §§ 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 10½, 12, 13, 16, 17, 21, 26, 27, 29; P.L. 1952, ch. 2897, §§ 1, 4, 5; P.L. 1953, ch. 3205, §§ 1 — 3; G.L. 1956 § 17-6-4; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-9-1 — 17-9-25; R.P.L. 1957, ch. 122, § 1; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1960, ch. 118, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 39, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 209, § 3; P.L. 1964, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 116, § 5; P.L. 1966, ch. 201, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 152, § 2; P.L. 1974, ch. 232, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 107, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 6; P.L. 1978 ch. 246, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 250, §§ 1 — 3; P.L. 1980, ch. 309, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 4; P.L. 1984, ch. 144, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 1984, ch. 308, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 335, § 4; P.L. 1987, ch. 282, § 2; P.L. 1987, ch. 293, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 376, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 440, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 274, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 391, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 3, effective January 1, 1995. For present comparable provisions, see chapter 9.1 of this title.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-1. - Registration required to vote.

§ 17-9.1-1. Registration required to vote.
No person shall be a qualified voter at any election unless that person is registered under the authority of this chapter or pursuant to any other provisions of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-2. - Duty of state board — Registration equipment — Forms.

§ 17-9.1-2. Duty of state board — Registration equipment — Forms.
It shall be the duty of the state board to prescribe the style, color, quality, and dimensions of all registration forms, containers, and other equipment required to provide for the permanent registration of voters, and for filing and safekeeping of the registration forms, and it shall furnish a sufficient quantity of registration forms, containers, and other equipment to the several cities and towns. It shall also be the duty of the state board to furnish the several cities and towns with any special professional assistance that may be necessary to assure the proper installation and servicing of the equipment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-2.1. - Duplicate voter registration information.

§ 17-9.1-2.1. Duplicate voter registration information.
Any local board may adopt an alternative form and means for obtaining and retaining duplicative voter registration information which is approved by the state board of elections. The form shall provide for the information required by § 17-9.1-6 and shall be kept in the order specified by §§ 17-9.1-13 and 17-9.1-14. The alternative form need not be of a distinctive color; provided, that the alternative form is substantially different in size and shape from the card designated the original under the provisions of § 17-9.1-6. The alternative form also need not provide for a signature.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-3. - Periods when boards receive registrations.

§ 17-9.1-3. Periods when boards receive registrations.
(a)
The local boards shall open their respective offices for the purposes of receiving registration of voters throughout the year during the regular business hours. Registration for any election shall close on the thirtieth (30th) day preceding an election; provided, that local boards shall not receive the registration on Sundays or legal holidays, and may receive the registrations during additional hours each day from the fortieth (40th) to the thirtieth (30th) day before any election. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as restricting the right of statewide or local registration agents or members of the general assembly to accept registrations of voters on any day. The acceptance of registrations at any other time shall not affect the validity of any election.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other sections of the general laws to the contrary, all local boards of canvassers shall remain open from eight-thirty (8:30) a.m. until four o’clock (4:00) p.m. on the last day prescribed by law for the taking of voter registrations to permit participation of the voters in the next succeeding election. In the event that the last day prescribed by law for the taking of voter registrations is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the local board may;
(1)
Designate one publicly accessible location in the city or town at which voter registrations will be taken; and
(2)
Designate the hours during which voter registration will be taken at that location, which hours shall include the hours from one o’clock (1:00) p.m. until four o’clock (4:00) p.m.
(c)
If a local board does designate a location other than its regular place of business or does designate hours other than eight-thirty o’clock (8:30) a.m. until four o’clock (4:00) p.m., it shall:
(1)
Publicly announce those designation(s) at least ten (10) days prior to the last day provided by law for the taking of voter registrations; and
(2)
Advertise those designation(s) in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town at least twice prior to the last day prescribed by law for the taking of voter registrations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 1996, ch. 137, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-4. - Repealed.

§ 17-9.1-4. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 137, § 2, effective August 2, 1996.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-4.1. - Registration drives at high schools.

§ 17-9.1-4.1. Registration drives at high schools.
It shall be the duty of local boards to annually conduct a voter registration drive at each high school within the city or town in cooperation with the administration of the schools. Each principal of every public or private high school and director of each vocational school in this state may be a registration agent whose authority shall be limited to receiving and accepting registrations as electors from those qualified applicants who are enrolled as students within the school or are employed within the school. The principal or director may designate one or more persons in the school to serve as registration agents with the same authority as the principal of the school, provided each designation is filed with the local board for the city or town in which the school is located. Each person who is a registration agent pursuant to this section shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his or her duties and shall be subject to removal as a registration agent by the local board for cause shown. All registration made under this section shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations established by the local board of the city or town in which the school is located.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-4.2. - Repealed.

§ 17-9.1-4.2. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 137, § 2, effective August 2, 1996.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-5. - Local registration agents.

§ 17-9.1-5. Local registration agents.
(a)
The several local boards shall appoint a sufficient number of agents who shall serve throughout each year for the purpose of receiving registrations of persons residing in the city or town in which the agent was appointed to act. The agents shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their duties, shall be subject to removal by the local board, and shall have power to accept registrations on Sundays and at any other time or place designated by the local board, whether in or out of the presence of the members of the local board. In addition, all members of the general assembly shall have the power to accept registration on Sundays and any other day, and the local boards of canvassers shall provide all registration forms to the general assembly members.
(b)
The several local boards or their agents shall additionally hold a special registration session in any factory, mill, wholesale or retail or other employing establishment, or hospital, home for aged, or convalescent home within their city or town in the even numbered years on or before July 5th for the state primary, and on or before August 5th for the state election, if in the case of the primary a request for the special registration session is made during the months of May or June, and in the case of the election a request for the special registration is made during the months of June and July by ten (10) or more voters of the city or town filing a petition with the local board for the holding of a special registration session in the factory, mill, wholesale or retail or other employing establishment, or hospital, home for aged, or convalescent home, signed by them with their names and addresses as they appear on voting lists of the city or town, and stating that ten (10) or more persons employed in the factory, mill, wholesale or retail or other employing establishment, or convalescent home desire and are entitled to be registered in the city or town. The special registration session shall then be held if, at the time the petition is filed, the local board is in receipt of permission in writing from the tenant, or, if there is no tenant, from the owner of the factory, mill, wholesale or retail or other employing establishment, or the operator of the hospital, home for aged, or convalescent home to use their premises for the purpose of holding the special session.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-5.1. - Statewide registration agents.

§ 17-9.1-5.1. Statewide registration agents.
The state board of elections shall appoint a sufficient number of agents who shall serve throughout the year to perform the duties assigned to them by § 17-7-5 and any other duties that may be assigned them by the board. Each registrar who performs his or her duties faithfully and completely, and who attends an annual training session which includes a presentation on changes to the election laws during the previous year, shall be automatically reappointed as a registration agent.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-5.2. - Qualifications and jurisdiction of registration agents.

§ 17-9.1-5.2. Qualifications and jurisdiction of registration agents.
No registration agent, whether appointed by a local board, by the state board, or empowered by law, shall be authorized to accept registrations outside of the state of Rhode Island, and all the registration agents shall themselves be registered to vote in the state of Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-6. - Form of registration cards — Confidentiality of place of registration.

§ 17-9.1-6. Form of registration cards — Confidentiality of place of registration.
(a)
Registration forms shall consist of the number of sets of cards and of the size and color that shall be determined by the state board of elections, one of which forms shall be designated as the original and any others as duplicates. The forms shall be ruled with appropriate spaces and headings to indicate the registrant’s name, residence address, mailing address if different from residence address, date of birth, and registrant’s signature and date of affixation of signature, and may include any other information, certifications, and declarations, including those made under the penalty of perjury, that may be required by the state board in order to administer a single and unified system of voter registration in accordance with applicable state and federal laws which shall enable duly registered voters to vote in all elections in their respective voting districts, including elections for federal officers.
(b)
Notwithstanding that registration forms are public records, nothing contained in the registration forms, nor any identifying characteristics of the forms such as size or color, shall indicate the particular office of the division of motor vehicles at which the voter was registered, nor shall there be any indication that the voter was registered at any other state, federal, or private agency. Nothing contained in this section shall restrict the state board of elections from maintaining confidential records showing the actual place of registration of all voters.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 1996, ch. 235, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-9. - Registration by mail.

§ 17-9.1-9. Registration by mail.
(a)
Every person who is or may be by the next general election qualified to vote may register to vote by mail. Mail registration shall be accomplished through the use of the federal mail registration form prescribed by the federal election commission under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 USC 1973gg, and/or through the use of a mail registration form prescribed by the state board of elections which complies with the requirements contained in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The form shall contain the registrant’s name, residence address, mailing address if different from residence address, date of birth, and registrant’s signature and date of affixation of signature, and may include any other information, certifications, and declarations, including those made under the penalty of perjury, that may be required by the state board in order to administer a single and unified system of voter registration in accordance with applicable state and federal laws which shall enable duly registered voters to vote in all elections in their respective voting districts, including elections for federal officers.
(b)
Any person who has fully and correctly completed an application to register to vote by mail which is delivered by the postal service to the State Board of Elections or any local board shall be presumed to be registered as of the date it is postmarked by the postal service, subject to verification of the registration by the state board of any local board as provided in § 17-9.1-25. In those cases where the mail registration form is received not later than five (5) days after the last date to register to vote for an election and the postmark is either missing or unclear, the voter shall be presumed to have registered on or prior to the last day to register for an election, subject to verification of the registration by the state board or any local board as provided in § 17-9.1-25.
(c)
The state board of elections shall have authority to adopt regulations to implement and administer mail registrations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 1996, ch. 235, § 2.