Chapter 522

2007 -- H 6227 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 10/30/07

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Introduced By: Representatives Lewiss, Pacheco, and Gallison

Date Introduced: March 29, 2007

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-7-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-7 entitled "State Board of

Elections" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-7-3. Appointment of members -- Vacancies. -- (a) The governor shall forthwith

upon June 8, 1979 appoint seven (7) members of initial terms as follows: one member upon initial

appointment shall serve for a term of two (2) years; one member upon initial appointment shall

serve for a term of four (4) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of

six (6) years; one member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of eight (8) years; one

member upon initial appointment shall serve for a term of ten (10) years; one member upon initial

appointment shall serve for a term of twelve (12) years; one member upon initial appointment

shall serve for a term of fourteen (14) years; and upon the expiration of the terms, the governor

shall appoint persons for succeeding terms of fourteen (14) years, respectively. The governor

shall appoint one member as chairperson, who shall serve as chairperson for the duration of that

member's term, and one member as vice chairperson, who shall serve as vice chairperson for the

duration of that member's term. All members of the board appointed or reappointed after January

1, 2008, shall serve for terms of nine (9) years beginning in January 2008, and in January of every

even numbered year thereafter, the chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be elected

by majority vote of the members of the board.

      (b) In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson or vice chairperson after

January 1, 2008, the governor shall appoint within thirty (30) days a qualified elector of the state,

who may be a member of the board the board shall in the manner provided in subsection 17-7-3

(a) elect another of its members to be chairperson or vice chairperson, to fill the vacancy;

provided, if the vacancy occurs as a result of death or resignation, the new chairperson or vice

chairperson shall only fill the unexpired term.

      (c) In the event a vacancy occurs on the board, the governor shall appoint within thirty

(30) days a new member to fill the vacancy; provided if the vacancy occurs as a result of death or

resignation, the new member shall only fill the unexpired term. All appointments to fill vacancies

shall be made in accordance with Article IX, section 5 of the Constitution of the state of Rhode

Island and sections 36-1-10 through 36-1-12.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02783/SUB A

=======