2026 -- H 7782

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LC004582

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

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

AND SUPPLIES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Boylan, Knight, Kazarian, Dawson, Shallcross Smith,
Tanzi, and Speakman

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2026

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     (Board of Elections)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 17-19-37 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct of

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

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     17-19-37. Tabulation of state returns — Certificate of election. Tabulation of state

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and federal returns – Certificate of election.

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     The state board shall proceed to tabulate the state and federal election returns and declare

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the results as provided in chapter 22 of this title, and any candidate at the election challenging the

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result as applied to him or her may petition the board within seven (7) nine (9) days after the

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declaration to conduct a recount of the votes cast in the candidate’s election according to the

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provisions set forth in § 17-19-37.1. After the completion of the recount, and as soon as it can do

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so consistent with its other duties, the state board shall issue a certificate of election to the state and

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federal candidate it determines to have been elected.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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 increase from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a

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request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of

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election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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