2013 -- S 0626

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LC01172

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- ELECTIVE MEETINGS

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Nesselbush, Metts, Sosnowski, and Crowley

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 17-18-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-18 entitled "Elective

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Meetings" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     17-18-11. Time of closing of polls. -- Elective meetings in all cities and towns shall be

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continuously kept open for voting until 8 p.m.; provided, that any qualified voter who is within

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the building in which the elective meeting is being conducted and is waiting in line to vote at 8

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p.m. shall be entitled to cast his or her vote. When all persons entitled to vote have been afforded

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a reasonable opportunity to do so, the polls shall be closed.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01172

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- ELECTIVE MEETINGS

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     This act would eliminate the requirement of having to be physically present within the

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voting building in order to vote at eight o'clock (8:00) pm. Persons in line and outside of the

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building at the time of closure of the voting place shall be entitled to vote.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01172

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