It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 17-7-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-7 entitled "STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-7-2. Composition of board. -- There shall be, independent of every other department and agency of this state, a board of elections consisting of seven (7) qualified electors of this state, of outstanding honesty and ability and none of whom shall hold any other public office {ADDor be employees of persons who hold state wide public officeADD} {DEL or public employment, DEL} but no person shall be disqualified solely because that person is a notary public, who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, as hereinafter provided.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall apply retroactively to June 1, 1994.