2013 -- H 5568

=======

LC01184

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Martin, Kazarian, Casey, and Phillips

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2013

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Section 17-20-13.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-20 entitled "Mail

1-2

Ballots" is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     17-20-13.1. Form of emergency mail ballot application. -- The emergency mail ballot

1-4

application to be subscribed by the voters before receiving a mail ballot shall, in addition to any

1-5

directions that may be printed, stamped, or written on the application by authority of the secretary

1-6

of state, be in substantially the following form:

1-7

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS EMERGENCY

1-8

APPLICATION OF VOTER FOR BALLOT FOR ELECTION ON________

1-9

     (COMPLETE HIGHLIGHTED SECTIONS)

1-10

     NOTE - THIS APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE BOARD OF CANVASSERS

1-11

OF YOUR CITY OR TOWN NOT LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON________

1-12

     BOX A (PRINT OR TYPE)

1-13

     NAME

1-14

     VOTING ADDRESS

1-15

     CITY/TOWN STATE RI ZIP CODE____________

1-16

     DATE OF BIRTH PHONE#______________

1-17

     BOX B (PRINT OR TYPE)

1-18

     NAME OF INSTITUTION (IF APPLICABLE)

1-19

     ADDRESS

2-20

     ADDRESS

2-21

     CITY/TOWN STATE_____ ZIP CODE____________

2-22

     I CERTIFY THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A MAIL BALLOT ON THE FOLLOWING BASIS:

2-23

     (CHECK ONE ONLY)

2-24

     ( ) 1. I am incapacitated to such an extent that it would be an undue hardship to vote at the polls

2-25

because of illness, mental or physical disability, blindness or a serious impairment of mobility. If

2-26

not voting ballot at local board, ballot will be mailed to the address in BOX A above or to the

2-27

Rhode Island address provided in BOX B above. If the ballot is to be delivered by the local board

2-28

of canvassers to a person presenting written authorization to pick up the ballot, complete BOX A

2-29

above and fill in the person's name below.

2-30

     I hereby authorize ________________________________________ to pick up my ballot at my

2-31

local board of canvassers.

2-32

     ( ) 2. I am confined in a hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, or similar

2-33

institution within the State of Rhode Island. Provide the name and address of the facility where

2-34

you are residing in BOX B above.

2-35

     ( ) 3. I am employed or in service intimately connected with military operations or because I am

2-36

a spouse or dependent of such person, or I am a United States citizen who will be outside the

2-37

United States. If not voting ballot at local board, provide address in BOX B above.

2-38

     ( ) 4. I may not be able to vote at the polling place in my city or town on the day of the election.

2-39

If the ballot is not being mailed to your voter registration address (BOX A above) please provide

2-40

the address within the United States where you are temporarily residing in BOX B above. If you

2-41

request that your ballot be sent to your local board of canvassers please indicate so in BOX B

2-42

above.

2-43

     I hereby authorize ________________________________________ to pick up my ballot at my

2-44

local board of canvassers.

2-45

     Under the pains and penalty of perjury, I certify that on account of the following circumstances

2-46

manifested twenty (20) days or less prior to the election for which I make this application. I will

2-47

be unable to vote at the polls.

2-48

     BOX D OATH OF VOTER

2-49

     I declare that all of the information I have provided on this form is true and correct to the best of

2-50

my knowledge. I further state that I am not a qualified voter of any other city or town or state and

2-51

have not claimed and do not intend to claim the right to vote in any other city or town or state. If

2-52

unable to sign name because of physical incapacity or otherwise, applicant shall make his or her

2-53

mark "X".

3-54

     SIGNATURE IN FULL_______________________________________________________

3-55

     Please note: A Power of Attorney signature is not valid in Rhode Island.

3-56

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01184

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

***

4-1

     This act would eliminate the requirement that a voter certify that the reason he or she has

4-2

applied for an emergency mail ballot manifested itself twenty (20) days or less prior to the

4-3

election.

4-4

     This act takes effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01184

=======

H5568