Election Law Reform (H 5478)

Opposition from the state Board of Elections and the creation by the Secretary of State of a commission to review voting issues kept a comprehensive election reform bill drafted by the ACLU from moving forward. In response to numerous problems documented in last November’s elections, the bill sought to overturn restrictive Board of Elections policies that substantially limit the counting of provisional ballots and restrict candidates’ rights to view disputed ballots during recounts of close elections. The bill had bi-partisan support and was also actively backed by Ocean State Action and a coalition of other groups. It will be reintroduced next year.