reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-9.1. - Shut-in voters, serviceperson’s dependents, or peace corps registrations.

§ 17-9.1-9.1. Shut-in voters, serviceperson’s dependents, or peace corps registrations.
(a)
Shut-in voters. Every person otherwise duly qualified to vote who by reason of illness or physical or mental disability is unable to register in person at the office of the local board may register to vote by mail.
(b)
Serviceperson’s dependents. Every person otherwise duly qualified to vote who by reason of being the spouse or dependent child of a member of the armed forces of the United States in active service who is qualified to vote and is absent from this state, and is with the member of the armed forces and unable to register in person, may register to vote by mail.
(c)
Peace corps registration. Every person otherwise duly qualified to register to vote who by reason of being a peace corps volunteer as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 2504, or a peace corps leader as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 2505, or the spouse or dependent child of the volunteer or leader, is absent from this state and unable to register in person and desiring to register, may register to vote by mail.
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 17-9.1-10. - Additional method of registering.

§ 17-9.1-10. Additional method of registering.
(a)
In addition to the methods for registering to vote provided in §§ 17-9.1-7, 17-9.1-8, 17-9.1-9, and 17-9.1-34, whenever any person who is, or may be, by the next election qualified to vote desires to register, that person may appear before the local board of the city or town in which he or she has his or her residence, as defined in § 17-1-3.1, or before the clerk or other duly authorized agent of the board, or before a registrar appointed by the state board of elections, and shall furnish the information required of him or her by this chapter and any information described in §§ 17-9.1-23 and 17-9.1-24 that the registrant may wish to record, and after the information has been recorded on the registry card furnished for that purpose, the person shall sign his or her name and certify to the truth of the facts recorded in the appropriate spaces in the card; provided, whenever any person is unable to sign his or her name because of physical incapacity or otherwise, he or she shall make his mark “(X)”, which shall be witnessed by the person receiving the registration.
(b)
It shall be the duty of the local board or clerk or other duly authorized agent of the board or registrar of the state board of elections to inform the person registering to vote that the voter will be mailed an acknowledgement card advising the person of the disposition of the registration and in the process verifying that the person resides at the address provided on the registration form. The person shall also be advised that if the acknowledgement card is returned as undeliverable, the person will be placed on the inactive list of voters pending the results of the confirmation process described in § 17-9.1-26. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to entitle a person to vote whose registration form has not been filed with the local board at least thirty (30) days before an election.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 2016, ch. 7, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 8, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-11. - Certification of citizenship.

§ 17-9.1-11. Certification of citizenship.
Before the name of any person shall be placed on the voting list, the person shall, at the time of registration, certify or declare that the person is a citizen of the United States.
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 17-9.1-12. - False certificates in registration.

§ 17-9.1-12. False certificates in registration.
Every person who knowingly and willfully makes any false certificate or declaration in registering his or her name pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or who knowingly and willfully makes any false statement in any affirmation or confirmation form or who, acting in the capacity of a voter registrar, knowingly and willfully registers a person who has made a false certificate or declaration, shall be guilty of a felony.
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 17-9.1-13. - Filing of registration cards — Transmittal to secretary of state.

§ 17-9.1-13. Filing of registration cards — Transmittal to secretary of state.
(a)
The original registration cards shall be arranged and maintained in alphabetical order by surname for the entire city or town and shall be filed in suitable containers. Any duplicate set of cards shall be maintained at the discretion of the local canvassing authority, subject to prior approval from the state board of elections.
(b)
The local board shall be required to provide promptly to the office of the secretary of state in connection with the operation and maintenance of the central voter register information provided to the local board relative to any voter registration. The information to be provided shall be that which may be necessary for the secretary of state to operate and maintain the central voter register in accordance with chapter 6 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 17-9.1-14. - Custody of registration cards.

§ 17-9.1-14. Custody of registration cards.
The containers of the original and any duplicate registration cards in the possession of the local board and the keys to the containers shall be kept in the custody of the local board, and these containers shall remain securely locked at all times and shall be opened only by the local board or its specially authorized agent at its office, except as provided in this chapter.
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 17-9.1-15. - Registration records public.

§ 17-9.1-15. Registration records public.
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in § 17-9.1-6, the original and any duplicate registration cards shall be public records and shall be open to public inspection and copying at all reasonable times.
(b)
Except where confidentiality is otherwise required under other provisions of this title, all other records concerning the implementation of programs and activities conducted for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and currency of official lists of eligible voters, and the registration lists prepared pursuant to § 17-9.1-21, shall also be deemed public records.
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 17-9.1-17. - Reregistration — Notice to city or town of previous address.

§ 17-9.1-17. Reregistration — Notice to city or town of previous address.
(a)
A voter may register in a city or town into which he or she has moved whether or not the voter has notified the board of the city or town in which the voter was last registered of the voter’s change of address. The action of registration shall automatically cancel the voter’s registration in the former city or town.
(b)
The local board of any city or town shall, upon receiving the registration of any person, notify the board of the city or town stated by the person to be that person’s last place of residence, of the registration. At that time, the last mentioned board shall retain the original registration card of the person in accordance with the approved records retention schedule for boards of canvassers issued by the state archives.
(c)
The state board shall have authority by regulation to direct the manner in which the provisions of this section are carried out by the local boards and the secretary of state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 2007, ch. 384, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-17.1. - Registration — Notice to jurisdiction of previous out-of-state address.

§ 17-9.1-17.1. Registration — Notice to jurisdiction of previous out-of-state address.
The secretary of state shall, upon receiving a voter’s new registration, notify the appropriate election official of the newly registered voter’s last place of residence only if it is located outside the state of Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 2018, ch. 42, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 46, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-18. - Change of name.

§ 17-9.1-18. Change of name.
Any registered voter whose name has been changed by marriage or court action shall be entitled to have the change of name recorded on the registration records of the local board, and upon the recording, shall be entitled to vote thereafter under the changed name. The local board shall immediately notify the secretary of state of the action.
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 17-9.1-19. - Single registration.

§ 17-9.1-19. Single registration.
(a)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any voter to reregister if he or she is already registered in the city or town in which the voter has his or her residence, as defined in § 17-1-3.1. A voter shall have no more than one voter registration. Any voter who is registered more than once shall be deemed to have authorized the cancellation of all registrations other than the most recent, provided that nothing in this section shall be taken to validate any registration which is not a city or town where the voter has his or her residence.
(b)
The local board of canvassers of each city or town shall review their voter registration files on a quarterly basis in accordance with regulations adopted by the secretary of state for the purpose of removing duplicate voter registrations in the central voter registration system for any voter registered in their city or town.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 2008, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 178, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-20. - False affidavits.

§ 17-9.1-20. False affidavits.
Every person who makes a false affidavit under this chapter shall be guilty of a felony.
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 17-9.1-21. - Registration lists furnished to political parties.

§ 17-9.1-21. Registration lists furnished to political parties.
The local boards shall not more than once a month, if requested to do so by the state and/or city or town chairperson of any political party, or any state or local office holder or declared candidate for public office, furnish without cost and without unreasonable delay to the chairperson, or the chairperson’s accredited representative, and to any state or local office holder or declared candidate for public office so requesting, the names and addresses of all persons who are newly registered to vote in the city or town, the names and addresses of all electors who have transferred to a new voting address, and the names and addresses of all persons whose names have been removed from the voting list or placed in the inactive category. In the event that any list so furnished is declared to be inaccurate by the chairperson of the democratic state committee or the chairperson of the republican state central committee, the state board of elections shall, at its discretion, if requested by either of the chairpersons, appoint a disinterested person to examine the records of the local board for the purpose of determining the accuracy of the list. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any member of the general public from obtaining the same information under the access to Public Records Acts, chapter 2 of title 38.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 2002, ch. 114, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 357, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 454, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-22. - Tampering with registration records.

§ 17-9.1-22. Tampering with registration records.
Every person who willfully and without lawful authority destroys, secretes, removes, defaces, alters, tampers, or meddles with the original or any duplicate registration card after any entry has been lawfully made in it, or any official list of registered voters compiled from the registration cards to be used by any local board or office of the secretary of state in connection with the conduct of any election or the mailing of any election materials, shall be guilty of a felony.
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 17-9.1-23. - Party designation.

§ 17-9.1-23. Party designation.
(a)
Whenever any person registers to vote, that person may designate his or her party affiliation, or that person may designate that he or she is not affiliated with any political party. The information shall be recorded on a form prescribed by the state board of elections.
(b)
Any person who is already registered to vote and wishes to designate his or her party affiliation may do so by submitting to that person’s local board of canvassers a form provided by the state board designating his or her party affiliation and certifying to the fact on the form furnished for that purpose.
(c)
Whenever any person participates in a party primary, that act shall serve as identifying the person as being affiliated with the party in whose primary that person has participated and the local board shall record the affiliation on the appropriate form. For the purposes of this section, “participating in a party primary” does not include the circulation or signing of nomination papers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 2019, ch. 109, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 141, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-24. - Change of designation.

§ 17-9.1-24. Change of designation.
(a)
Any person who has designated his or her party affiliation pursuant to § 17-9.1-23 may change the designation on or before the thirtieth day preceding any primary election for which the person is eligible. Whenever any person desires to change his or her party designation, that person shall submit to the local board of the city or town in which that person has his or her residence, as defined in § 17-1-3.1, or before the clerk or other duly authorized agent of the board, and shall change his or her party designation and, after the information has been recorded on the form furnished for that purpose, the person shall sign his or her name and certify to the truth of the facts recorded in the appropriate spaces in the form. For the convenience of persons voting at a primary election, forms for changing party designation shall be available at all primary polling places. The presence of the forms at the primary polling place shall not be construed to allow a person to change his or her party designation within thirty (30) days preceding the primary election.
(b)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 109, § 1 and P.L. 2019, ch. 141, § 1.]
(c)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 109, § 1 and P.L. 2019, ch. 141, § 1.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 2000, ch. 4, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 2, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 109, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 141, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-27. - Periodic updating of voter registration records.

§ 17-9.1-27. Periodic updating of voter registration records.
(a)
Not less than four (4) times within a calendar year, the secretary of state shall update the central voter register using the United States Postal Service National Change of Address (NCOA) Program. The office of the secretary of state shall be responsible for obtaining the NCOA data and providing each local board of canvassers with their data; provided, that the updating shall be performed by each local board. The NCOA list of address changes shall be compared by the local board with lists of registered voters, and if address changes are detected for any voter, the local board shall institute the confirmation process described in § 17-9.1-26.
(b)
Each local board of canvassers in each city or town shall send annually, a notice prescribed by the secretary of state and marked “Do Not Forward — Return if Undeliverable”, to every active registered voter who has not voted in the past five (5) calendar years and has not otherwise communicated with the board during that period of time, advising them of their current polling place and voting eligibility, and informing them that mail that is returned as undeliverable will initiate the confirmation process described in § 17-9.1-26; provided, however, that the local boards shall not be obligated to send such notice if the state or federal government fails to appropriate the necessary funds.
(c)
The secretary of state shall promulgate regulations for the uniform implementation of this section, consistent with all applicable federal voting laws.
(d)
Beginning ninety (90) days before any state election and through certification of that election, local boards shall cease all list maintenance procedures required by this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 2001, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 400, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 185, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 45, § 2, effective June 7, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 46, § 2, effective June 7, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-29. - Penalty for unsubstantiated challenge.

§ 17-9.1-29. Penalty for unsubstantiated challenge.
Every person who willfully and maliciously challenges the registration of a voter without reasonable cause to suspect that the voter is not qualified shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, in addition, be liable to the challenged voter for compensatory and punitive damages as well as for his or her counsel fees. The mere fact that a challenge was not sustained by the board shall not give rise to any civil or criminal liability of the objector.
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 17-9.1-30. - Appeal of ruling by board of canvassers.

§ 17-9.1-30. Appeal of ruling by board of canvassers.
Notwithstanding any provisions of the general laws to the contrary, all appeals from decisions rendered by the board of canvassers of the various cities and towns regarding the eligibility of a person to vote shall be to the state board of elections.
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 17-9.1-31. - Voter registration advisory board.

§ 17-9.1-31. Voter registration advisory board.
(a)
The state board of elections shall establish a voter registration advisory board, subsequently referred to as the advisory board, to assist in the drafting of regulations and the monitoring of implementation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg et seq., and to help recruit and train the volunteer registrars. The advisory board shall issue an annual report to the state board, governor, and general assembly on its activities.
(b)
The advisory board shall consist of eighteen (18) members. The governor shall appoint one member from the League of Women Voters, one member of the Urban League, one member of Common Cause, one member of Ocean State Action, one member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, one member of the R.I. Black Caucus of State Legislators, and one representative of a state employees’ union. The speaker of the house shall appoint two (2) members, not more than one from the majority party. The president of the senate shall appoint two (2) members, not more than one from the majority party. In addition, the following shall be members: the secretary of state or her or his designee; the directors or their designees of the division of motor vehicles, the department of human services, the department of health, and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals; and the chairpersons or their designees of the governor’s commission on disabilities and the governor’s commission on Hispanic affairs. The members shall annually elect a chairperson and other officers as are necessary.
(c)
Of the number of members originally appointed under this section, one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of one year to be chosen by lot; one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, to be chosen by lot; and one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, to be chosen by lot. Thereafter, vacancies created by expiration of terms shall be filled with appointments for terms of three (3) years. Members whose terms expire may be reappointed to succeed themselves. The members of the advisory board shall receive no compensation for their services, but may, at the discretion of the governor, be reimbursed for traveling and other expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 1997, ch. 150, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 19; P.L. 2013, ch. 501, § 94.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters › Section 17-9.1-32. - Private voter registration — State departments and agencies.

§ 17-9.1-32. Private voter registration — State departments and agencies.
Nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit private voter registration activities in the public areas of state departments and agencies.
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 17-9.1-33. - Age.

§ 17-9.1-33. Age.
(a)
Every person who has reached the age of eighteen (18) years or who is seventeen (17) years of age and will be eighteen (18) years of age by the date of the next election, and is otherwise qualified to register may do so for that election.
(b)
A person who is otherwise qualified to register and is at least sixteen (16) years of age, but will not be eighteen (18) years of age by the date of the next election, may preregister upon satisfactory proof of age and shall be automatically registered upon reaching eighteen (18) years of age.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 366, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 390, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.2 - Rhode Island Restoration of Voting Rights Act › Section 17-9.2-1. - Title.

§ 17-9.2-1. Title.
This chapter may be cited as the “Rhode Island Restoration of Voting Rights Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 366, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 476, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-9.2 - Rhode Island Restoration of Voting Rights Act › Section 17-9.2-2. - Findings and purpose.

§ 17-9.2-2. Findings and purpose.
(a) Findings.
The legislature finds that:
(1)
Voting is both a fundamental right and a civic duty. Restoring the right to vote strengthens our democracy by increasing voter participation and helps people who have completed their incarceration to reintegrate into society. Voting is an essential part of reassuming the duties of full citizenship.
(2)
Rhode Island is the only state in New England that denies the vote to people convicted of felonies, not only while they are in prison, but also while they are living in the community under the supervision of parole or probation officials.
(3)
As a result of this extended disfranchisement, Rhode Island deprives a greater proportion of its residents of voting rights than any other state in the region. More than fifteen thousand five hundred (15,500) Rhode Islanders have lost the right to vote because of a felony conviction. Of these, eighty-six percent (86%) are not in prison, they have either been released or their convictions did not result in actual incarceration. Rhode Island has the second highest rate of people on probation in the nation.
(4)
Criminal disfranchisement in Rhode Island has a disproportionate impact on minority communities. The rate of disfranchisement of African American voters is more than six (6) times the statewide rate. Hispanics lose the vote at more than 2.5 times the statewide average. One in five (5) black men and one in eleven (11) Hispanic men are barred from voting in Rhode Island. By denying so many the right to vote, criminal disfranchisement laws dilute the political power of entire minority communities. Because these communities are concentrated in cities, the urban vote is also suppressed, with the rate of disfranchisement in urban areas 3.5 times the rate in the rest of the state.
(5)
Extending disfranchisement beyond a person’s term of incarceration complicates the process of restoring the right to vote. Under current law, a person may regain that right when released from incarceration if no parole follows, when discharged from parole, or when probation is completed. This system requires the involvement of many government agencies in the restoration process. This bill would simplify restoration by making people eligible to vote once they have served their time in prison, thereby concentrating in the department of corrections the responsibility for initiating restoration of voting rights. A streamlined restoration process conserves government resources and saves taxpayer dollars.
(b) Purpose.
The purposes of this act are to strengthen democratic institutions by increasing participation in the voting process, to help people who have completed prison sentences to become productive members of society, and to streamline procedures for restoring their right to vote.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 366, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 476, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-2. - Right to vote unprejudiced by errors.

§ 17-10-2. Right to vote unprejudiced by errors.
A voter’s registration shall not be invalidated nor the voter’s right to vote be prejudiced by any error in filing registration cards or in the preparation of lists of voters or in making any change or transfer in the records.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 23; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-7; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-3; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-3. - Publication of preliminary lists.

§ 17-10-3. Publication of preliminary lists.
(a)
Immediately after the close of registration for each general election and each primary election for a general election, the local board shall publish and post a preliminary list of all persons who appear from the registration cards to be duly registered to vote at the next ensuing election. The preliminary list for a primary election shall be subject to the requirements of chapter 13 of this title. The preliminary list shall contain the names and addresses of registered voters arranged in the same order as the file of original registration cards. The preliminary list shall be computer generated from the statewide central voter registry system. The list shall be available for public inspection at the local board of canvassers, where the list shall be open to examination at all reasonable times. The local board shall, upon request, furnish without charge and without unreasonable delay, five (5) copies of the preliminary list to the state, city, or town chairperson of any political party.
(b)
The preliminary list shall be deemed a public record; and any elector of the city or town, upon request, shall be given a copy of the list upon payment of no more than the actual cost of reproduction.
(c)
The preliminary list shall contain the following language in bold print:
(c)
“You must be registered to vote from your actual place of residence.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, §§ 5, 7; P.L. 1952, ch. 2897, § 1; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-10-10, 17-10-11, 17-10-26; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-4; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 152, § 4; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 5; P.L. 1986, ch. 188, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5; P.L. 2006, ch. 87, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 96, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-4. - Defacement of posted lists.

§ 17-10-4. Defacement of posted lists.
Every person who unlawfully takes down, defaces, or destroys any list of voters posted up as provided in § 17-10-3 shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 8, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 5; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 8, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-12; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-5; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 7; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-5. - Canvass and correction of preliminary lists.

§ 17-10-5. Canvass and correction of preliminary lists.
(a)
The local board shall, before the twentieth (20th) day preceding each election, meet and canvass the preliminary lists and hear objections to the inclusion or omission of any person as a registered voter, and it shall at that time make a final canvass and correction of the registration files. It shall give notice of the time and place of the meeting, for at least ten (10) days previous to it, by posting notices of the meeting in the same manner as required by this chapter for the posting of the preliminary list, and by publication once, at least ten (10) days previous to the meeting on the official website maintained by the city or town. At or following the meeting, the local board shall strike from the lists and direct the cancellation of the registration of every person who is not qualified to vote at the election for which the final canvass is made, and shall immediately notify the secretary of state of that action. No registration shall be cancelled or a voter’s right to vote be otherwise limited based upon a finding that the voter no longer resides within the city or town unless the voter has confirmed either in person or in writing that the voter no longer resides within the city or town or the board has received written evidence that the voter has registered to vote within another city or town or in another state.
(b)
The local boards may meet and canvass the voting lists of any senatorial district, representative district or districts, ward or wards, or voting district or districts in any senatorial or representative district, ward, or voting district, or at their office or other previously designated place, at any other convenient time or times, on the same day or different days, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
History of Section.
G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 3; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 8, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 3; P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 6; P.L. 1952, ch. 2897, § 2; P.L. 1956, ch. 3746, § 1; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-10-8, 17-10-14; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-6; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 209, § 4; P.L. 1966, ch. 116, § 6; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 7; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-5; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5; P.L. 2022, ch. 39, § 1, effective June 8, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 40, § 1, effective June 8, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-6. - Evidence given at final canvass.

§ 17-10-6. Evidence given at final canvass.
Any qualified elector shall have the right to appear before the local board on the date set for final canvass and give evidence concerning the correctness of the preliminary registration list. Upon the basis of all the evidence, the local board shall make any further corrections in the registration records that it may find necessary. A stenographic record or electronic audio recording shall be taken at the proceedings and maintained as a permanent record of the board of canvassers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 6; P.L. 1956, ch. 3746, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-15; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-7; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-6; P.L. 2022, ch. 102, § 1, effective June 20, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 103, § 1, effective June 20, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-7. - Proof required to strike name.

§ 17-10-7. Proof required to strike name.
No name shall be stricken from any voting list by any local board upon evidence given at the final canvass meeting unless sworn proof is presented to the board that that name is the name of a person not qualified to vote at the election for which the registration and voting list is being canvassed. No name shall be stricken for ineligibility to vote on the basis of residence except as provided in this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 6; P.L. 1956, ch. 3746, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-17; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-8; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-7; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-8. - Notice of striking of names.

§ 17-10-8. Notice of striking of names.
In each city and town the local board shall, within one hundred and twenty (120) hours after striking the name of any person from any registration or voting list, cause to be mailed to the person, postage prepaid, at that person’s last address in the registration records, a notice of the striking of his or her name, and the reason for the striking; except that the notice provided for in this section shall not be required where the voter has requested the action, or has died.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 6; P.L. 1956, ch. 3746, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-18; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-9; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 312, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-9. - Record of vote on adding or striking names.

§ 17-10-9. Record of vote on adding or striking names.
The clerk of the local board shall record the votes of the members of the board on adding or striking the name of any person from the list of voters whenever requested to do so by any member of the board or by any qualified elector of the city or town present at the time of canvassing, a certified copy of this record shall be evidence of the facts stated in it; and for any willful neglect on the part of the clerk to make a record, whenever requested as provided in this section, the clerk shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 28; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-19; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-10; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 7; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-10. - Corrections by state board.

§ 17-10-10. Corrections by state board.
The state board may request any local board to make any correction in any voting list, and if the local board does not immediately comply with the request, the state board may make the correction itself, and this correction shall not be changed except on order of the supreme court. Any person whose name is stricken from any voting list by the state board may file a petition as from an action of the local board as provided in this chapter. The state board shall notify the secretary of state of the action. The state board, in ordering the striking of any names from a voting list, shall be subject to the same requirements and limitations as are applicable to local boards, including but not limited to, the provisions of § 17-10-5.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 17; P.L. 1940, ch. 817, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-20; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-11; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 209, § 4; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-10; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-11. - Right to appeal striking of name.

§ 17-10-11. Right to appeal striking of name.
Whenever the local board of any town or city at any meeting held for the purpose of canvassing the rights and correcting the lists of voters rejects, or causes to be stricken from the voting list, the name of any person qualified to vote, the person whose name the board has rejected or stricken from any list may appeal to the state board of elections, setting forth his or her residence, his or her qualifications, and other facts in connection with the rejection or striking of his or her name from the list, as that person may deem material, and praying that his or her name is added to the list.
History of Section.
P.L. 1898, ch. 583, § 1; C.P.A. 1905, § 1226; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 29; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 11; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 8, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 11; P.L. 1940, ch. 817, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-21; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-12; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-11; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-12. - Notification to local board members and clerk.

§ 17-10-12. Notification to local board members and clerk.
Upon the filing of the appeal, the state board of elections shall immediately cause the members and clerk of the local board to appear before the state board, at a time and place to be set by the board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1898, ch. 583, § 2; C.P.A. 1905, §§ 1226, 1227; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 30; G.L., ch. 8, § 12; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 8, § 12; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-22; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-13; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-12; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-13. - Dismissal of appeal — Order entering name on lists.

§ 17-10-13. Dismissal of appeal — Order entering name on lists.
If, upon a hearing, the state board finds that the name of the appellant is not entitled to be placed or to remain upon the voting list, the appeal shall be dismissed. If, however, the state board finds that the name of the appellant is entitled to be placed upon the voting list, the board shall order the name to be placed upon that list pursuant to § 17-7-5(a)(3).
History of Section.
P.L. 1898, ch. 583, § 3; C.P.A. 1905, § 1227; G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 31; G.L., ch. 8, § 13; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 8, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-23; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-14; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 209, § 4; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-13; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-14. - Final list — Certification.

§ 17-10-14. Final list — Certification.
The registration, as finally corrected pursuant to this chapter, shall constitute the voting list to be used at the election for which it has been canvassed, and shall be certified for use pursuant to chapter 19 of this title. Only the original of the list needs to be signed by the board of canvassers, and copies of the list may be certified by a duly placed stamp on the copy. The voting list shall be deemed a public record; and a copy of the list shall be made available, upon request, to any elector within the city or town upon payment of no more than the actual cost of reproduction. Notwithstanding certification of the results of the final canvass, persons who subsequently become ineligible to vote for failure to comply with the provisions of § 17-9.1-25 shall not be permitted to vote in the election unless and until their residency is established pursuant to that section. The names of those persons shall be placed on the inactive list.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 6; P.L. 1956, ch. 3746, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-24; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-15; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-14; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 5; P.L. 1985, ch. 308, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-15. - Use of registration cards at polls.

§ 17-10-15. Use of registration cards at polls.
(a)
The local board shall remove from the container used for that purpose the original registration cards of persons found by the board not to be qualified to vote at the election for which the registry has been canvassed pursuant to this chapter. These removed cards shall be carefully preserved in a separate file to be maintained for that purpose. At that time, the remaining cards shall be secured in their container so that no card may be removed without breaking a seal or otherwise making it appear that a card has been tampered with. The local board shall certify that the cards are a true and complete list of all qualified voters of the voting district as of the date of the certificate, and shall insert the certificate at the front of the container.
(b)
A complete list of all qualified voters of each voting district who are eligible to vote in each voting district in the election, as certified by the local board, shall then be delivered to the warden of each polling place to be used as the certified voting list for each voting district. The certified list of voters for each voting district shall be signed and/or otherwise certified by the local board in accordance with regulations to be adopted by the state board. The local board may divide the registration of any voting district into two (2) or more sections for greater convenience of use at the polls. In addition, each warden shall be provided with a certified list of all voters eligible to vote in the election in the entire city or town, and this list shall be signed and/or otherwise certified by the local board in accordance with regulations to be adopted by the state board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-30; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-16; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1: G.L., § 17-10-15; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-16. - Challenge lists.

§ 17-10-16. Challenge lists.
The local board shall prepare and annex a “challenge list” to each of these canvassed and certified voting lists. The challenge list shall consist of the names and addresses of all persons who are determined to be ineligible to vote in the ensuing election at any time after the final list of eligible voters has been certified by the local board. The challenge list shall also contain the names and addresses of all persons who have been furnished mail ballots. The challenge list shall also contain the names and addresses of all persons who, after the final list of voters eligible to participate in the election have been certified, become ineligible to vote for failure to comply with § 17-9.1-25. Provided, that the state board, by regulation, may authorize local boards to code the certified list provided to voting district wardens to indicate the ineligibility of a voter or the status of a voter as a mail ballot voter, or the status of a voter as an inactive voter. Copies of the challenge lists shall be furnished to political party workers at each polling place.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 5; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-17. - Change of registration records on change of voting district boundaries.

§ 17-10-17. Change of registration records on change of voting district boundaries.
When the boundaries of any voting district are changed, it shall be the duty of the local board to correct the registration cards and voting lists and to transfer the cards of the registered voters affected by the change, and to notify the voters by mail, postage prepaid, of the transfer and change. The local board shall also notify the secretary of state of the action.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 23; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-6; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-18; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 209, § 4; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-17.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-18. - Temporary registration certificates.

§ 17-10-18. Temporary registration certificates.
Temporary registration certificates may be issued by a local board upon proof by any qualified voter that the voter’s registration card has been erroneously removed from the voting list. The temporary certificates shall be issued under the conditions and in the manner prescribed in chapter 19 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1: G.L., § 17-10-18.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-19. - False entry or erasure with intent to change voting rights.

§ 17-10-19. False entry or erasure with intent to change voting rights.
Every person who, at any time, willfully or fraudulently adds a name to a list of voters or erases any name from the list after the list has been corrected for certification pursuant to law, or makes an entry in the registry book or on an original or duplicate card with the intent to permit a person to vote who is not qualified to vote, or to deprive a qualified elector of his or her right to vote, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 31; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-41; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-20; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 7; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1: G.L., § 17-10-19.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-20. - Neglect of duty by public officers.

§ 17-10-20. Neglect of duty by public officers.
Any public officer upon whom a duty is imposed by this chapter or chapter 9.1 of this title, who willfully neglects to perform the duty, shall be guilty of a felony.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 30; P.L. 1956, ch. 3734, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-42; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-21; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 7; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1: G.L., § 17-10-20.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-10 - Canvassing the Lists of Qualified Electors › Section 17-10-21. - Right to vote or validity of election unaffected by neglect of duty.

§ 17-10-21. Right to vote or validity of election unaffected by neglect of duty.
The failure of any local board to perform any of its duties required by law shall not affect the validity of an election or a financial town meeting or the right of any person to vote, except as the right to vote may be affected by noncompliance with chapters 1 and 9.1 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 24; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-43; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-22; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-21; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 5.