New Law Allows Votes for Those In Line at Poll Closing Time

Legislation passed by the General Assembly last week and signed into law this week by the governor will ensure that any voter who is in line at a polling place by poll closing time (8 p.m.) will be allowed to cast a ballot, regardless of whether or not they are inside the building in which the voting is being held.

Current law provides that a voter must be inside a polling place’s building by closing time in order to cast a ballot.

Signed into law by the governor were identical House and Senate bills, introduced at the request of the Office of the Secretary of State. The House bill, 2013-H 5771, was sponsored by Rep. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Chair of the House Committee on Judiciary. The Senate bill, 2013-S 0626, was introduced by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown), who chairs the Senate Committee on Government Oversight.

“Anyone who is willing to wait outside to do their civic duty should not be turned away. This bill would make sure that every registered voter who wants to vote gets to vote,” said Rep. Ajello.

“This is a straightforward way to make sure our elections are open to every registered voter who shows up on time," said Sen. Sheehan.

With the governor’s signature, the legislation takes immediate effect and will apply the next time any election is held in the state.