2017 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 17 - Elections
Chapter 17-9.1 - Registration of Voters
Section 17-9.1-9 - Registration by mail.
§ 17-9.1-9. Registration by mail.
(a) Every person who is or may be by the next general election qualified to vote may register to vote by mail. Mail registration shall be accomplished through the use of the federal mail registration form prescribed by the federal election commission under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 USC 1973gg, and/or through the use of a mail registration form prescribed by the state board of elections which complies with the requirements contained in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The form shall contain the registrant's name, residence address, mailing address if different from residence address, date of birth, and registrant's signature and date of affixation of signature, and may include any other information, certifications, and declarations, including those made under the penalty of perjury, that may be required by the state board in order to administer a single and unified system of voter registration in accordance with applicable state and federal laws which shall enable duly registered voters to vote in all elections in their respective voting districts, including elections for federal officers.
(b) Any person who has fully and correctly completed an application to register to vote by mail which is delivered by the postal service to the State Board of Elections or any local board shall be presumed to be registered as of the date it is postmarked by the postal service, subject to verification of the registration by the state board of any local board as provided in § 17-9.1-25. In those cases where the mail registration form is received not later than five (5) days after the last date to register to vote for an election and the postmark is either missing or unclear, the voter shall be presumed to have registered on or prior to the last day to register for an election, subject to verification of the registration by the state board or any local board as provided in § 17-9.1-25.
(c) The state board of elections shall have authority to adopt regulations to implement and administer mail registrations.
History of Section.
(P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 4; P.L. 1996, ch. 235, § 2.)
