H5756

	2021 -- H 5756
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	LC001817
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021
	____________
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,
	AND SUPPLIES

	Introduced By: Representatives Place, Quattrocchi, Chippendale, Nardone, Filippi, Newberry, and Fenton-Fung
	Date Introduced: February 24, 2021
	Referred To: House State Government & Elections
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Chapter 17-19 of the General Laws entitled "Conduct of Election and Voting
2	Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3	17-19-37.5. Post election mail ballot signature verification.
4	(a) Before the election results are certified, pursuant to this chapter, the board of elections
5	shall conduct a post-election risk-limiting audit of the mail ballot voter signature verification
6	accuracy of the return mail ballot envelopes received for the local, statewide and federal contests,
7	selected by the board, utilizing the ballot audit selection process created by § 17-19-37.4.
8	(b) If the risk-limiting audit of the signatures on the mail ballot envelopes cast in the audited
9	contest reveals that the number of signatures on the mail ballot envelopes that should not have been
10	verified, exceeds the margin of victory in the selected contest, then a new special election shall be
11	held for such contest, before its election results are certified.
12	(c) The state board shall promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures in accordance with
13	chapter 35 of title 42, necessary to implement the section.
14	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC001817
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,
	AND SUPPLIES
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1	This act would create a new post election audit procedure to verify the accuracy of voters'
2	signatures on mail ballot envelopes, prior to the certification of the elections results.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC001817
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