Elections (H 584, H 5326, S 143)

Two separate pieces of voting rights legislation have been approved by the Senate. One would repeal the Board of Elections’ current exemption from the Administrative Procedures Act’s rule-making process requirements, making it easier for the public to provide input on the agency’s regulations (S 143). The other bill favorably addresses a variety of voting issues that have come up in previous elections, including standards for recounts and examining voter intent in disputed ballots (H 584, H 5326). The RI ACLU is working with sponsors Rep. Edith Ajello and Sen. Joshua Miller to get the bills through the House.