2021 -- S 0057

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LC000791

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL STATE OFFICES

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Raptakis, DiPalma, Gallo, and Goodwin

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-2-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-2 entitled "General State

Officers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-2-5. Vacancies in other general offices.

     In case of a vacancy in the office of secretary of state, attorney general, or general treasurer,

from any cause, the general assembly in grand committee shall elect some person to fill the office

if the vacancy occurs with less than one year remaining in the term. If the vacancy occurs with

more than one year remaining in the term it shall be filled through a special election; provided, that

if the vacancy occurs when the general assembly is not in session, the governor shall appoint some

person to fill the vacancy until a successor elected by the general assembly is qualified to act.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC000791

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL STATE OFFICES

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     This act would require a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of secretary of state,

attorney general or general treasurer if more than one year is left in the term of office. If less than

one year in the term is remaining it shall be filled by the general assembly in grand committee.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000791

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