2013 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 17 - Elections
Chapter 17-19 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies
Section 17-19-2.1 - New voting technology – Declaration of purpose.

§ 17-19-2.1 New voting technology – Declaration of purpose. – WHEREAS, mechanical lever voting machines have been in use in the state of Rhode Island for more than fifty (50) years; and

WHEREAS, voting machine technology has now advanced to the point where votes can be cast and reliably recorded on optical scan precinct count voting systems; and

WHEREAS, optical scan precinct count voting systems are now in use in various states and have resulted in returning accurate and reliable voting results within a shorter period of time than is possible through the use of mechanical lever machines; and

WHEREAS, the general assembly finds that it is in the public interest to convert from mechanical lever voting machines to an optical scan precinct count voting system;

THEREFORE, the general assembly determines that an optical scan precinct count voting system as described in § 17-19-3 shall be employed in elections held in the State of Rhode Island beginning in 1997.

The department of administration shall be responsible for the procurement of an optical scan precinct count voting system and for the procurement of a full service contract as set forth in § 17-19-3. The specifics in the request for proposal shall be drafted by the department of administration in consultation with the office of the secretary of state and the state board of elections. The term of each contract shall be determined by the department of administration. The procured system shall be revenue neutral in that, over the life of the contract, it may not cause the state to incur more expense than would be expended under the mechanical lever system during a similar period. The department of administration shall seek bids from vendors for the options of purchasing, leasing to own and renting an optical scan precinct count voting system meeting the requirements set forth in § 17-19-3, and for the full services of the vendor as set forth in § 17-19-3.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 2.)