410 R.I. Code R. 410-RICR-20-00-12.6

Current through October 15, 2024

Section 410-RICR-20-00-12.6 - Polling Place Conduct

A. Political Literature and Influence

1. Outside the Polling Place

a. No person - other than a person in the act of voting - shall be allowed to display or distribute any poster, paper, circular, campaign or political party button, badge or other document or item designed or tending to aid, injure, or defeat any candidate for public office or any political party on any question submitted to the voters within fifty (50) feet of the entrance or entrances to the Polling Place.

b. No person shall conduct any form of poll or survey of voter opinion or voter conduct within a Polling Place or within fifty (50) feet from the entrance or entrances to any Polling Place.

2. Inside the Polling Place

a. No person - other than a voter in the act of voting - may display or wear any campaign or political party button, badge or other document or item designed or tending to aid, injure or defeat any candidate for public office or any political party or any question submitted to the voters within the Polling Place. Any voter displaying or wearing any political literature who has completed the voting process must immediately exit the polling location without unreasonable delay. No activity that is intended to interfere with a person's right to vote, shall be permitted within a Polling Place.

B. Electronic Recording Devices in the Polling Place

Electronic recording of the election process is allowed inside the polling place as long as it is done outside of the Railed or Enclosed Voting Area. Electronic recording devices may not hinder the election process or compromise a voter's right to cast a secret ballot. The electronic recording of specific votes(s) cast by another person is prohibited.

C. Talking on Cellular Telephones and other Communications Devices.

Only election officials conducting official election business are allowed to verbally communicate on a cell phone or other communication device within the Polling Place. All other communications being made to persons outside the Polling Place must be done nonverbally to ensure the orderly conduct of the Election.

D. Challenges

Only the Watchers and Election Officials are allowed to challenge the right to vote of any person offering himself or herself as a voter. All challenges must be made for good cause. Whenever the identity of any person offering to vote is challenged at the Polling Place, that person shall only be permitted to vote using a provisional ballot as defined by R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-19-24.1.

E. Bake Sales

Bake sales may be held in a building designated as a Polling Place and that is under the supervision of the Warden/Moderator, during any primary or election for the election of any candidate, write-in candidate, party or ballot question. Bake sales shall not be allowed within the Railed Enclosed Voting Area or in any part of the building that the Warden/Moderator reasonably believes will cause a disruption or interference in the orderly administration of the voting process. Such activity will only be permitted within the area expressly designated by the Warden/Moderator for such activity. Sponsors of proposed bake sales must first seek and obtain permission to hold the bake sale event from the appropriate local board of canvassers. All requests for bake sales must be submitted in writing to the local board of canvassers no later than seven (7) days prior to the date for the primary or election. Bake sales shall be permitted as long as such conduct does not interfere with the orderly conduct of the election, as determined by the Warden/Moderator.

410 R.I. Code R. 410-RICR-20-00-12.6