2013 -- H 5776 SUBSTITUTE A

=======

LC01891/SUB A/2

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,

AND SUPPLIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Valencia, Ajello, Tanzi, Cimini, and Walsh

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Section 17-19-24.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct

1-2

of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     17-19-24.2. Voter identification. -- (a) Beginning on January 1, 2012, any person

1-4

claiming to be a registered and eligible voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special

1-5

election or general election shall provide proof of identity. For purposes of this section, proof of

1-6

identity shall include:

1-7

      (1) A The following valid and current document documents showing a photograph of the

1-8

person to whom the document was issued, including without limitation:

1-9

      (i) Rhode Island driver's license;

1-10

      (ii) Rhode Island voter identification card;

1-11

      (iii) United States passport;

1-12

      (iv) Identification card issued by a United States educational institution;

1-13

      (v) United States military identification card;

1-14

      (vi) Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island;

1-15

      (vii) Government issued medical card. ;

1-16

     (2) A The following valid and current document documents without a photograph of the

1-17

person to whom the document was issued, including without limitation:

1-18

      (i) Birth certificate;

2-19

      (ii) Social security card;

2-20

      (iii) Government issued medical card.

2-21

      (b) From and after January 1, 2014, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible

2-22

voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special election or general election shall provide

2-23

proof of identity listed in subdivisions (a)(1).

2-24

      (c) No later than January 1, 2012, (b) Rhode Island voter identification cards will be

2-25

issued upon request, and at no expense to the voters, at locations and in accordance with

2-26

procedures established by rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of state. The

2-27

purpose of this section is to provide voter identification cards to those voters who do not possess

2-28

the identification listed in subdivision (a)(1).

2-29

      (d)(c) If the person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter is unable to provide

2-30

proof of identity as required in subdivisions (1) and (2) above, the person claiming to be a

2-31

registered voter shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot pursuant to section 17-19-24.2 upon

2-32

completing a provisional ballot voter's certificate and affirmation. The local board shall determine

2-33

the validity of the provisional ballot pursuant to section 17-19-24.3.

2-34

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01891/SUB A/2

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,

AND SUPPLIES

***

3-1

     This act would remove the requirement that registered and eligible voters present a

3-2

photographic identification card before he or she can vote.

3-3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01891/SUB A/2

=======