Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)
Impact
The amendment will significantly impact the way suffrage is defined and executed within Rhode Island's electoral system. By eliminating the thirty day residency requirement, the bill is expected to facilitate voting for many citizens who may move or relocate frequently. With regards to candidacy, the amendment would prevent individuals from declaring candidacy unless they have been a qualified elector in the state for at least thirty days. This creates a distinction in the eligibility criteria for voters compared to candidates, which may foster a certain level of continuity and experience among those seeking office.
Summary
S0608 is a joint resolution that proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Rhode Island concerning voter eligibility and conditions for candidacy. The bill seeks to remove the existing thirty day residency requirement for voters and instead mandates that individuals be registered by or on the day of voting. Additionally, the proposal will ensure that individuals incarcerated for felony convictions lose their voting rights until they are discharged from prison, at which point their right to vote will be restored. This amendment is designed to streamline the voting process and potentially increase voter participation by reducing barriers to registration.
Contention
There remains a point of contention regarding how these changes may impact voter turnout and the fairness in the candidacy process. Proponents argue that the simplified registration process will enhance voter engagement, particularly among younger populations and those who may face challenges meeting the current residency requirements. Critics, however, may express concerns about potential abuses of the voting system without the residency checks, indicating that removing such barriers could lead to uninformed voting or undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Furthermore, the stipulation regarding felony convictions raises ongoing debates about disenfranchisement and the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals.
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)
Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (This Joint Resolution would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment which would provide that no person who is not a citizen of the United States would be allowed to vote in this state.)
Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Persons Entitled To Vote (this Joint Resolution Would Authorize The Submission To The Electors Of A Constitutional Amendment That Would Allow Eligible Citizens To Register To Vote Removing The Requirement That The Registration Be Completed Thirty (30) Days Before An Election.)
Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution - Persons Entitled To Vote (this Joint Resolution Would Authorize The Submission To The Electors Of A Constitutional Amendment That Would Allow Eligible Citizens To Register To Vote Removing The Requirement That The Registration Be Completed Thirty (30) Days Before An Election.)
Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Referendum On Line Item Veto (same As 21h-5861 -- This Joint Resolution Would Provide For The Publishing And Submission To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State For A Line Item Veto.)