Legislation

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.

The ACLU opposed to the voter ID law remain concerned with the severe disenfranchisement the new photo ID requirement will impose on the poor, the elderly, racial minorities and other vulnerable groups that are least likely to have identification or the documents necessary to obtain ID.

In April, the ACLU testified in support of comprehensive election reform legislation. This perennial legislation proposed a number of critical amendments to current election practices, including expanding the number of provisional ballots counted and the procedures for recounts.

Following years of inaction, the Senate in May passed legislation addressing the problem of prison-based gerrymandering.

The General Assembly added Rhode Island to the list of states that have joined the National Popular Vote compact.

Legislation aimed to restore representation in Rhode Island to “one person, one vote” by requiring, for the purposes of redistricting, prisoners to be identified as living at their last known address.

The ACLU of RI testified before the Senate and House Judiciary committees in support of legislation repealing the state’s voter ID law.

Legislation sought to restore representation in Rhode Island to “one person, one vote” by requiring that, for the purposes of redistricting, prisoners are identified as living at their last known address.