Chapter 005

2008 -- H 7822 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 04/09/08

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- VOTING DISTRICTS

Introduced By: Representatives Vaudreuil, and Silva

Date Introduced: February 26, 2008

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-11-1.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-11 entitled "Voting

Districts and Officials" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-11-1.1. Combination of voting districts for special election. -- (a) The board of

canvassers of any city or town at which there shall be submitted to the voters a question or

questions for their approval or rejection but at which no state or local officials will be elected,

shall have the authority to combine two (2) or more voting districts, when in its judgment the

combination is advisable, and when combined shall be treated as a voting district, but only upon

the approval of the board of elections.

      (b) If voting districts are combined as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the local

board must advertise the combination of districts in a newspaper of general circulation in the city

or town no less than seven (7) days and no more than twenty-one (21) days before the special

election.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the board of

canvassers of the city of Woonsocket or the town of Cumberland may combine two (2) or more

voting districts for the senate district 20 special election in April, 2008 and when combined shall

be treated as a voting district, but only upon the approval of the board of elections.

If voting districts are combined pursuant to this subsection, the local board must advertise

the combination of districts in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town no less than

three (3) days before the special election.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02128/SUB A

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