It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 17-19-7.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct of Elections, and Voting Machines, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows:
{ADD 17-19-7.1. Listing of at-large candidates. -- ADD} (a) In case of a vote for members of the council or school committee of any city or town, wherein the office or offices to be filled are to be elected on an at-large basis, and whether the election is a partisan, non-partisan, primary, general, or special election, the names for the office or offices shall be listed on the ballot in such fashion that no more than one name for an office shall be displayed on the same horizontal line; provided, nevertheless that candidates for non-partisan election in the cities of Newport, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket {ADD and candidates for partisan election in the town of North Providence ADD} may be listed on the same horizontal line.
(b) In no event shall the voting machine be prepared to lock itself so as to prevent further voting for an office or officer until the elector shall have cast as many votes as there are separate offices to be filled.SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.