2025 -- H 5084

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LC000636

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,

AND SUPPLIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Fellela, Serpa, Newberry, Paplauskas,
Donovan, and McNamara

     Date Introduced: January 16, 2025

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-19-49 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct of

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

     17-19-49. Political literature and influence.

     No poster, paper, circular, or other document designed or tending to aid, injure, or defeat

any candidate for public office or any political party on any question submitted to the voters shall

be distributed or displayed within the voting place or within fifty (50) feet of the entrance or

entrances to the building in which voting is conducted at any primary or election including both

early voting and election day voting. Neither shall any election official display on his or her person

within the voting place any political party button, badge, or other device tending to aid, injure, or

defeat the candidacy of any person for public office or any question submitted to the voters or to

intimidate or influence the voters.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC000636

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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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     This act would add early voting to the fifty (50) feet buffer prohibitions against politicking

on election day voting.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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