ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES, the official text

H7782 2026 -- H 7782 ======== LC004582 ======== 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: 1 SECTION 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: 3 17-19-37. Tabulation of state returns — Certificate of election. Tabulation of state 4 and federal returns – Certificate of election. 5 The 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. 12 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC004582 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES *** 1 This 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. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC004582 ======== LC004582 - Page 2 of 2