Legislation

Voters should have the right to have their votes tallied, even if it is for a losing cause. Legislation introduced this year would have imposed restrictions on that right, by eliminating the counting of write-in votes for persons who have not filed in advance a "declaration of intent."

The ACLU of RI has long objected to legislative efforts to impose additional qualifications on candidates to qualify for the ballot. Just as the legislature should refrain from setting unnecessary barriers in the way for people to vote, it should not add unnecessary obstacles to get on the ballot.

The majority of states allow for in-person early voting, recognizing that allowing people several days - instead of just one crowded day - to cast their ballot only increases the ability of the public to exercise the franchise.

To draw new voting districts, any individuals incarcerated at the ACI in Cranston on the day the Census worker comes through are recorded as living at the prison, including individuals awaiting trial or serving misdemeanor sentences who are still allowed to vote, but only from their home addresses.

Despite concerns that photo voter ID laws disenfranchise elderly, transient and poor voters as well as voters of color, Rhode Island continues to require photo ID upon voting. This legislation would have repealed the law.