2022 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 17 - Elections
Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots
Section 17-20-2.3. - Online application for mail ballot.

§ 17-20-2.3. Online application for mail ballot.

(a) In addition to any other available means of applying for a mail ballot, the secretary of state shall establish and maintain a system through which voters may apply for a mail ballot online.

(b) Applications filed using such system shall be considered filed on the calendar date the application is initially transmitted by the voter through the online mail ballot application system.

(c) A voter shall be able to apply for a mail ballot using the online ballot application system when the voter:

(1) Completes an online mail ballot application form, established by the secretary of state, substantially similar to the paper-based mail ballot application form established by § 17-20-13;

(2) Affirms, subject to penalty of perjury, by means of electronic or manual signature, that the information contained in the mail ballot application is true; and

(3) Verifies the voter’s identity by providing the voter’s date of birth and a Rhode Island driver’s license number or state identification number.

(d) The portal for mail ballot applications shall be available in any language required by federal or state voting rights laws.

(e) To ensure full, equal, and independent access to all voters with disabilities, the portal for mail ballot applications shall comply with all requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12165, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 compliance level AA.

History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 45, § 6, effective June 7, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 46, § 6, effective June 7, 2022.