H 7782

2026 -- H 7782
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 LC004582
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  STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  AN ACT
   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:
1SECTION 1. Section 17-19-37 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct of
2 Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows:
317-19-37. Tabulation of state returns — Certificate of election. Tabulation of state
4 and federal returns – Certificate of election.
5The state board shall proceed to tabulate the state and federal election returns and declare
6 the results as provided in chapter 22 of this title, and any candidate at the election challenging the
7 result as applied to him or her may petition the board within seven (7) nine (9) days after the
8 declaration to conduct a recount of the votes cast in the candidate’s election according to the
9 provisions set forth in § 17-19-37.1. After the completion of the recount, and as soon as it can do
10 so consistent with its other duties, the state board shall issue a certificate of election to the state and
11 federal candidate it determines to have been elected.
12SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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 LC004582
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  EXPLANATION
  BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
  OF
  AN ACT
 RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT,
  AND SUPPLIES
  ***
1This act would increase from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a
2 request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of
3 election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.
4This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004582
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