Comprehensive Election Reform (H 7249, S 2719)

Rhode Island has grappled for a number of years with several election issues, including questions of when and how recounts can be conducted, how votes are counted, and even how the rules regarding elections are made. In January, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in support of perennial legislation to make comprehensive changes to the election laws and resolve these long-standing issues. The ACLU testified before the Senate Judiciary committee on the Senate version in March. Among other things, the bill would ensure every vote is counted in an open and transparent manner, increase the number of provisional ballots counted, and require post-election audits to evaluate the accuracy of voting machines. Neither bill received a vote in either chamber.