2013 -- S 0445

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LC01752

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Lynch, and Lombardo

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 17-20-13.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-20 entitled "Mail

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Ballots" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     17-20-13.1. Form of emergency mail ballot application. -- The emergency mail ballot

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application to be subscribed by the voters before receiving a mail ballot shall, in addition to any

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directions that may be printed, stamped, or written on the application by authority of the secretary

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of state, be in substantially the following form:

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS EMERGENCY

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APPLICATION OF VOTER FOR BALLOT FOR ELECTION ON________

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     (COMPLETE HIGHLIGHTED SECTIONS)

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     NOTE - THIS APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE BOARD OF CANVASSERS

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OF YOUR CITY OR TOWN NOT LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON________

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     BOX A (PRINT OR TYPE)

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     NAME

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     VOTING ADDRESS

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     CITY/TOWN STATE RI ZIP CODE____________

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     DATE OF BIRTH PHONE#______________

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     BOX B (PRINT OR TYPE)

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     NAME OF INSTITUTION (IF APPLICABLE)

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     ADDRESS

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     ADDRESS

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     CITY/TOWN STATE_____ ZIP CODE____________

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     I CERTIFY THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A MAIL BALLOT ON THE FOLLOWING BASIS:

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     (CHECK ONE ONLY)

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     ( ) 1. I am incapacitated to such an extent that it would be an undue hardship to vote at the polls

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because of illness, mental or physical disability, blindness or a serious impairment of mobility. If

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not voting ballot at local board, ballot will be mailed to the address in BOX A above or to the

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Rhode Island address provided in BOX B above. If the ballot is to be delivered by the local board

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of canvassers to a person presenting written authorization to pick up the ballot, complete BOX A

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above and fill in the person's name below.

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     I hereby authorize ________________________________________ to pick up my ballot at my

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local board of canvassers.

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     ( ) 2. I am confined in a hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, or similar

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institution within the State of Rhode Island. Provide the name and address of the facility where

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you are residing in BOX B above.

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     ( ) 3. I am employed or in service intimately connected with military operations or because I am

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a spouse or dependent of such person, or I am a United States citizen who will be outside the

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United States. If not voting ballot at local board, provide address in BOX B above.

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     ( ) 4. I may not be able to vote at the polling place in my city or town on the day of the election.

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If the ballot is not being mailed to your voter registration address (BOX A above) please provide

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the address within the United States where you are temporarily residing in BOX B above. If you

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request that your ballot be sent to your local board of canvassers please indicate so in BOX B

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above.

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     I hereby authorize ________________________________________ to pick up my ballot at my

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local board of canvassers.

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     Under the pains and penalty of perjury, I certify that on account of the following circumstances

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manifested twenty (20) days or less prior to the election for which I make this application. I will

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be unable to vote at the polls.

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     BOX D OATH OF VOTER

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     I declare that all of the information I have provided on this form is true and correct to the best of

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my knowledge. I further state that I am not a qualified voter of any other city or town or state and

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have not claimed and do not intend to claim the right to vote in any other city or town or state. If

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unable to sign name because of physical incapacity or otherwise, applicant shall make his or her

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mark "X".

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     SIGNATURE IN FULL_______________________________________________________

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     Please note: A Power of Attorney signature is not valid in Rhode Island.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01752

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

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     This act would eliminate the requirement that a voter certify that the reason he or she has

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applied for an emergency mail ballot manifested itself twenty (20) days or less prior to the

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election.

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     This act takes effect upon passage.

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LC01752

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