2021 -- H 5896

========

LC001517

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - VOTER REGISTRATION CANCELLATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Filippi, Place, and Fenton-Fung

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 17-9.1 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Voters" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     17-9.1-26.1. Cancellation of voter registration.

     (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 17-9.1-24, the secretary of state shall promulgate

regulations to identify and cancel the registration, in a prior city or town of residence of any

registrant, who changes the registrant's voting residence to a location outside the registrant's current

city or town of registration. Any procedures prescribed in this section shall be uniform and

nondiscriminatory, and shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The secretary of state

may prescribe procedures under this section that include the use of the national change of address

service, provided by the United States Postal Service, through its licensees. Any promulgated

regulations shall be completed not later than ninety (90) days prior to the date of any primary or

general election for federal office.

     (b) The registration of any voter identified as having changed the voter's voting residence

to a location outside the voter's current city or town of registration, shall not be canceled unless the

registrant is sent a confirmation notice on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and the

registrant fails to respond to the confirmation notice or otherwise update the registration and fails

to vote in any election, during the period of two (2) federal elections subsequent to the mailing of

the confirmation notice.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001517

========

LC001517 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - VOTER REGISTRATION CANCELLATION

***

     This act would require the secretary of state to promulgate regulations which identify and

cancel the voter registration, of any registrant that changes their residence to outside their city or

town, without notifying the proper authorities. Once a potential change of addresses is identified

and the registrant fails to respond to certified mail notice or update their registration and fails to

vote in any election during the period of two (2) federal elections, after being sent a confirmation

notice, their registration may be cancelled.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC001517

========

LC001517 - Page 3 of 3