AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES (Increases from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.)

H7782

2026 -- H 7782
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LC004582
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,
AND SUPPLIES

Introduced By:
Representatives Boylan, Knight, Kazarian, Dawson, Shallcross Smith,
Tanzi, and Speakman

Date Introduced:
February 12, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
(Board of Elections)
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 17-19-37 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct of
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Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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17-19-37.
Tabulation of state returns — Certificate of election.
Tabulation of state
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and federal returns – Certificate of election.
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The state board shall proceed to tabulate the state
and federal
election returns and declare
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the results as provided in chapter 22 of this title, and any candidate at the election challenging the
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result as applied to him or her may petition the board within
seven (7)

nine (9)
days after the
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declaration to conduct a recount of the votes cast in the candidate’s election according to the
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provisions set forth in § 17-19-37.1. After the completion of the recount, and as soon as it can do
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so consistent with its other duties, the state board shall issue a certificate of election to the state and
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federal candidate it determines to have been elected.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004582
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,
AND SUPPLIES
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This act would increase from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a
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request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of
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election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004582
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