Early Voting (H 7501, S 2419)

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. Legislation would have allowed Rhode Island to join with much of the rest of the country by establishing in-person early voting for our elections. The need for such a program is not hypothetical; the long lines that awaited some voters at polling places in the last general election – and many other past elections – confirm the utility of this approach. The ACLU testified in support of this legislation, particularly applauding that this bill, in order to best promote its goal, contained provisions for early voting periods that included weekends. Unfortunately, no action  was taken on the bill.