2022 -- H 7422

========

LC004524

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- ELECTIVE MEETINGS

     Introduced By: Representatives Baginski, Potter, and Fenton-Fung

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-18-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-18 entitled "Elective

Meetings" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-18-3. Warning and organization of senatorial district, representative district, and

voting district meetings.

     Senatorial district meetings, representative district meetings, and voting district meetings

for the purposes of election shall be warned and organized as is or may be provided by law, and

notice of all these meetings shall be given by the city or town clerk issuing his or her warrant,

directed to the town sergeant or one of the constables of that city or town, or in the event that the

town sergeant or a constable is not available, to any member of the town or city clerk's office or

member of the board of canvassers, directing him or her to post, at least seven (7) days before the

day appointed for these meetings, written notifications in one or more public places in each voting

district, and in each senatorial and representative district not divided into voting districts, of the

time when, and place where, each meeting is to be held, and of the business required by law to be

transacted in the meeting, and stating in the warrant the time of the opening and closing of the polls

at each elective meeting to be held in that city or town; provided, that the local boards may, at their

discretion, substitute notification by publication in a newspaper having local circulation for

notification by posting in public places; and further provided, that in the cities of Providence,

Pawtucket, Central Falls, Newport, Cranston, Warwick, and Woonsocket, the notice shall be given

and posted by the local board.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004524

========

LC004524 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- ELECTIVE MEETINGS

***

     This act would allow local boards of canvassers discretion to substitute the physical posting

in each voting district of senatorial district meetings, representative district meetings, and voting

district meetings for the purposes of election with publication notices in a newspaper having local

circulation.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004524

========

LC004524 - Page 3 of 3