RI
Rhode Island Senate Bill S0608
Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session
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Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0608

Introduced
3/7/23  

Caption

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)

Impact

The amendment will significantly impact the way suffrage is defined and executed within Rhode Island's electoral system. By eliminating the thirty day residency requirement, the bill is expected to facilitate voting for many citizens who may move or relocate frequently. With regards to candidacy, the amendment would prevent individuals from declaring candidacy unless they have been a qualified elector in the state for at least thirty days. This creates a distinction in the eligibility criteria for voters compared to candidates, which may foster a certain level of continuity and experience among those seeking office.

Summary

S0608 is a joint resolution that proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Rhode Island concerning voter eligibility and conditions for candidacy. The bill seeks to remove the existing thirty day residency requirement for voters and instead mandates that individuals be registered by or on the day of voting. Additionally, the proposal will ensure that individuals incarcerated for felony convictions lose their voting rights until they are discharged from prison, at which point their right to vote will be restored. This amendment is designed to streamline the voting process and potentially increase voter participation by reducing barriers to registration.

Contention

There remains a point of contention regarding how these changes may impact voter turnout and the fairness in the candidacy process. Proponents argue that the simplified registration process will enhance voter engagement, particularly among younger populations and those who may face challenges meeting the current residency requirements. Critics, however, may express concerns about potential abuses of the voting system without the residency checks, indicating that removing such barriers could lead to uninformed voting or undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Furthermore, the stipulation regarding felony convictions raises ongoing debates about disenfranchisement and the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Latest RI S0608 Activity

View All Events: RI 2023 Regular Session S0608

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H5515

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)

RI S0820

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)

RI H7303

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Proposes to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)

RI S2132

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Proposes to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)

RI H5386

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- JURY NULLIFICATION AS PROPER TRIAL DEFENSE ARGUMENT (This joint resolution would propose to the voters a constitutional amendment which would allow a criminal defendant to argue jury nullification as a defense.)

RI S3021

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF THE LEGISLATIVE POWER (Proposes a state constitutional amendment that no department or other entity created by the state would have poser to incur debt in excess of $ 50,000, without express approval from the legislature and voters.)

RI S0725

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF THE LEGISLATIVE POWER (Proposes a state constitutional amendment that no department or other entity created by the state would have poser to incur debt in excess of $ 50,000, without express approval from the legislature and voters.)

RI H7386

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- JURY NULLIFICATION AS PROPER TRIAL DEFENSE ARGUMENT (Proposes to the voters a constitutional amendment which would allow a criminal defendant to argue jury nullification as a defense.)

RI H5732

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION – GREEN AMENDMENT (Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article 1 providing for a right to clean air, soil, climate, and the environment’s natural values.)

RI S0327

JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- GREEN AMENDMENT (Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article 1 providing for a right to clean air, soil, climate, and the environment’s natural values.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.