Section 410-RICR-20-00-25.6 - Process for Retrieval and Delivery of Ballots Deposited in Drop BoxesA. The Board of Elections shall designate one (1) or more staff members of the Department of State and of each local board of canvassers as the official agents of the Board of Elections, for purposes of retrieving ballots deposited in Drop Boxes. Each business day prior to the close of business of the Elections Division, Office of the Secretary of State and the local board of canvassers during the twenty (20) day period prior to Election Day, one (1) or more staff members of the Department of State and of each local board of canvassers shall retrieve all ballots deposited within the Drop Box and secure the ballots within the Secure Ballot Transfer Device Office for subsequent delivery to the Board of Elections.B. At 8:00 P.M. on Election Day, upon the last ballot deposited by any person in line at that time, the designated agent of the Board of Elections shall ensure that no other ballots are deposited in the Drop Box. Each Drop Box must be sealed and locked. The Drop Boxes ballot slot opening must also be covered and locked to prevent voters from attempting to deposit ballots after the close of the polls on Election Day.C. Ballots shall then be retrieved from the Drop Boxes by the designated agent of the Board of Elections, accompanied by one (1) or more staff members of the local board of canvassers.D. The Board of Elections agent and a staff member of the local board of canvassers shall then collect all ballots from the Drop Box and place the ballots in a Secure Ballot Transfer Device.E. The date and time of retrieval, and the number of ballots contained in the Drop Box, shall be noted on a retrieval form provided by the Board of Elections.F. Upon retrieval of the ballots from the Drop Box, the Board of Elections agent shall also inspect the Drop Box for any evidence of tampering and shall document any such finding on the ballot retrieval form.G. The completed ballot retrieval form shall be affixed to the outside of the Secure Ballot Transfer Device.H. The ballots shall be transported to the Board of Elections in the Secure Ballot Transfer Device for processing and tabulation. Only persons designated by the Board, including assigned law enforcement officers, shall be authorized to transport the ballots to the Board. The Board shall record the time and date that the transported ballots were received.I. When the Secure Ballot Transfer Device is received and opened by the Board, the number of ballots contained therein shall be counted by the Board staff to confirm the information contained on the ballot retrieval form. The Board findings shall be set forth on a ballot receipt form. The Board shall then process and certify the Sealed Certification Envelopes and tabulate the enclosed ballots in the same manner as all other mail and emergency ballots in accordance with the statutory requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 17-20.410 R.I. Code R. 410-RICR-20-00-25.6
Adopted effective 7/15/2021
Amended effective 8/17/2022