Legislation

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 This legislation would have repealed the law.

The Secretary of State's Office has submitted two bills that would make voting and registering for accessible for all Rhode Islanders.

Legislation seeking to end the practice of prison-based gerrymandering in Rhode Island has once again been brought forward

This legislation would establish a process for in-person early voting in Rhode Island. Early voting is a key way of increasing the ability of the public to exercise the franchise.

By requiring Presidential and VP candidates to disclose their five most recent federal tax returns in order to qualify for the ballot, this bill would set a dangerous precedent and impose additional qualifications, beyond those contained in the Constitution, on candidates to qualify for the ballot.

The ACLU testified in support of legislation to rectify the issue of prison gerrymandering and require all prisoners to be counted, for voting purposes only, at their last known address.

Rhode Island has grappled for a number of years with several election issues, including questions of when and how recounts can be conducted, how votes are counted, and even how the rules regarding elections are made.