2021 -- H 5640

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LC001384

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Cassar, Amore, Kazarian, Henries, Felix, Morales, and
Knight

     Date Introduced: February 22, 2021

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 17-1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-1 entitled "General

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Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     17-1-3. Eligibility to vote.

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     (a) Every citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, whose

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residence as defined in § 17-1-3.1 has been in this state for at least thirty (30) days, and in the town

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or city and voting district in which that person desires to cast his or her vote at least thirty (30) days

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next preceding the election, and who is registered in that city or town and voting district at least

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thirty (30) days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote in the election; provided, a

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person may vote in a primary election only if that person is eligible under the provisions of this

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title. A person who has not registered to vote, or whose registration has been canceled pursuant to

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§ 17-10-1, may cast a vote for president and vice-president on election day at his or her city or town

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hall or at an alternate location designated by the board of canvassers, and approved by the board of

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elections, where such location is deemed necessary to better accommodate such voters. The casting

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of that vote shall commence the process of voter registration and subject the person voting to the

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requirements and penalties of this chapter.

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     (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any person who has

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not yet reached eighteen (18) years of age may vote in a primary election, in which candidates are

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nominated for a general or special election, that will occur when the individual is eighteen (18)

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years of age.

 

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     (c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall not extend to any other elections.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

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     This act would allow individuals, who have not reached the age of eighteen (18) years, to

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vote in a primary election, as long as the voter will be eighteen (18) as of the date of the general or

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special election.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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