2023 -- S 0364
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LC000693
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT
AND SUPPLIES
Introduced By: Senators Mack, Zurier, Acosta, Valverde, Lauria, Lawson, and DiMario
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 17-19-24.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct 1
of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby repealed. 2
17-19-24.2. Voter identification. 3
(a) Beginning on January 1, 2012, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter 4
who desires to vote at a primary election, special election, or general election shall provide proof 5
of identity. For purposes of this section, proof of identity shall be valid if unexpired or expired no 6
more than six (6) months prior to voting, and shall include: 7
(1) A valid and current document showing a photograph of the person to whom the 8
document was issued, including without limitation: 9
(i) Rhode Island driver's license; 10
(ii) Rhode Island voter identification card; 11
(iii) United States passport; 12
(iv) Identification card issued by a United States educational institution; 13
(v) United States military identification card; 14
(vi) Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island; 15
(vii) Government issued medical card. 16
(2) A valid and current document without a photograph of the person to whom the 17
document was issued, including without limitation: 18
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(i) Birth certificate; 1
(ii) Social security card; 2
(iii) Government issued medical card. 3
(b) From and after January 1, 2014, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible 4
voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special election, or general election shall provide 5
proof of identity listed in subsection (a)(1). 6
(c) No later than January 1, 2012, Rhode Island voter identification cards will be issued 7
upon request, and at no expense to the voters, at locations and in accordance with procedures 8
established by rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of state. The purpose of this 9
section is to provide voter identification cards to those voters who do not possess the identification 10
listed in subsection (a)(1). 11
(d) If the person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter is unable to provide proof of 12
identity as required in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) above, the person claiming to be a registered 13
voter shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot pursuant to § 17-19-24.3 upon completing a 14
provisional ballot voter's certificate and affirmation. The local board shall determine the validity of 15
the provisional ballot pursuant to § 17-19-24.3. 16
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 17
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LC000693
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LC000693 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT
AND SUPPLIES
***
This act would repeal the state voter identification law. 1
This act would take effect upon passage. 2
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LC000693
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