Chapter 499

2013 -- H 6041

Enacted 07/17/13

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - VOTER CHOICE ACT

Introduced By: Representative Christopher R. Blazejewski

Date Introduced: April 25, 2013

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 17-29-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-29 entitled "Voter

Choice Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-29-3. Voter choice study commission -- Established -- Definitions. -- (a) The voter

choice study commission is hereby established for the purpose of studying instant runoff voting

and other advanced voting methods.

      (b) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, "Advanced voting

method" means a voting method that allows an elector to indicate a preference for more than one

candidate in an election and that determines the winner of the election by majority vote.

"Advanced voting method" includes, but is not limited to, instant runoff voting, approval voting,

range voting, and proportional voting.

      (c) The voter choice study commission shall consist of sixteen (16) members selected as

follows:

      (1) Eight (8) members to be appointed by the speaker of the house, no more than five (5)

of whom shall be from the same political party, and at least three (3) of whom shall be the clerk

of a city or town of this state;

      (2) Eight (8) members to be appointed by the president of the senate, no more than five

(5) of whom shall be from the same political party, at least three (3) of whom shall be the clerk of

a city or town of this state; and

      (3) Provided, that all members of the study commission shall be registered voters of this

state at the time of their selection and at all times while they remain on said study group.

      (d) Members of the voter choice study group shall be appointed no later than August 1,

2012.

      (e) The voter choice study commission shall:

      (1) Study advanced voting methods;

      (2) Analyze the requirements for implementing advanced voting methods, including

public education, voting equipment and technology, ballot designs, the costs of conducting the

pilot project established by this chapter and using advanced voting methods in elections for state

and federal offices, and savings due to the elimination of primary elections;

      (3) Determine the level of public support for a change in voting methods;

      (4) Review the experience of other states in conducting elections using advanced voting

methods;

      (5) Recommend statutory changes to implement advanced voting methods in elections

for state and federal offices to be held in the state in 2014;

      (6) Make recommendations on making all voting systems used in the state compatible

with advanced voting methods by 2014, including a review of the availability and costs of

necessary voting equipment;

      (7) Make recommendations to the governing bodies and designated election officials of

political subdivisions of the state on preparing to conduct an election using an advanced voting

methods; and

      (8) Consider changes to the state's statutes governing access to the ballot for presidential

candidates.

      (f) The voter choice study commission shall present a report on its work to the general

assembly, the governor, and the secretary of state no later than May 1, 2013 November 1, 2013.

      (g) The director of research of the legislative council and the director of the office of

legislative legal services shall provide staff assistance to the voter choice study commission.

      (h) The members of the voter choice study commission shall serve without

compensation; except that the members shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in

the performance of their duties.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02455

=======