2012 -- H 7854

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LC01720

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PROVISIONAL BALLOT REPORTING

     Introduced By: Representatives Marcello, Handy, Edwards, Ajello, and Walsh

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2012

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 17-19 of the General Laws entitled "Conduct of Election and

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Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     17-19-24.4. Provisional ballot reporting requirement. – (a) The total number of

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provisional ballots cast, by precinct, at every primary, special or general election, shall be

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reported by each local board of canvassers to the state board of elections.

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     (b) The total number of provisional ballots cast at every primary, special and general

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election that are filed because of the voter’s failure to comply with the identification requirements

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of subdivisions 17-19-24.2(a)(1) and 17-19-24.2(a)(2) shall be reported by precinct, by the local

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board of canvassers to the state board of elections. Of those provisional ballots, the local board

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shall identify the number of ballots that were accepted and the number that were rejected.

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     (c) Within ninety (90) days of each election, the state board of elections shall submit a

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written report to the secretary of state, the speaker of the house of representatives and the

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president of the senate, which shall summarize the provisional ballot data collection pursuant to

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this section.

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     (d) The state board of elections shall promulgate regulations necessary to aid the

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implementation of this reporting section.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01720

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PROVISIONAL BALLOT REPORTING

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     This act would require every local board of canvassers to report to the board of elections

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the number of provisional ballots voted in each election, including the number of those accepted

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and rejected, after problems with identification verification have been resolved. It would also

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require the board of elections to submit written reports which summarize data concerning the

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number of provisional ballots cast, counted and rejected.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01720

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