410 R.I. Code R. 410-RICR-20-00-4.6

Current through October 15, 2024
Section 410-RICR-20-00-4.6 - Procedure for Voting
A. Procedure
1. The voter shall present a valid photo identification. In the event that a voter does not present a valid photo identification, the voter shall be provided a provisional ballot in accordance with the Provisional Voting regulation, 410-RICR- 20-00-13. Once identity has been confirmed, the Epoll book shall electronically search and locate the voter on the certified voter list. The voter shall then state his/her name and address to the bipartisan pair of Supervisors. Once the voters name is clearly repeated back to them, the bipartisan pair of Supervisors shall confirm that the voter's information matches the information set forth in the Epoll book and shall repeat the voter's name and address in a loud, clear and distinct voice. The voter shall sign the Epoll book with his or her name as it appears in the Epoll book. In party primaries only, after repeating the voter's name and address, the bipartisan pair shall confirm the party affiliation listed on the certified voting list. Unaffiliated voters signing the Epoll book must choose on the signature screen the party ballot they wish to cast. In the event that the voter is unable to sign his or her name on the Epoll book, he or she shall be provided an alternative paper-based form of voter attestation.
2. After witnessing the voter's signature or mark, the bipartisan pair of Supervisors shall initial the Epoll book and shall press "accept" on the Epoll book.
3. The bipartisan pair of Supervisors shall then issue a ballot to the voter. In party primaries, only, the bipartisan pair of Supervisors must issue the voter a ballot corresponding to the party the voter is affiliated with. Unaffiliated voters will be given the ballot of the party they designated on the Epoll book.
4. If the bipartisan pair cannot locate the voter's name on the certified voting list for the precinct set forth in the Epoll book, or if in a primary only the voter states the party affiliation listed is incorrect, the bipartisan pair of Supervisors shall direct the voter to the Clerk who shall review the master certified voting list and determine if the voter is registered to vote in the city or town and in which voting precinct they are eligible to vote. The Clerk shall provide voter affirmation forms or provisional ballots to voters as necessary.
5. If the Board or its Executive Director determines that exigent circumstances exist, the Supervisors, under the direction of the Board of Elections, will utilize the paper version of the certified voting list for the precinct. Upon finding the voter's name on the certified voting list for the precinct the Supervisor shall affix the voter's label from the certified voting list onto a prenumbered ballot application issued in numerical order and the voter shall sign on the line adjacent next to the label on the ballot application. In party primaries only, after noting the voter's party affiliation, the bipartisan pair of supervisors must affix the voter's label to the appropriate party ballot application.
B. Discrepancies

Any discrepancies by polling place election officials involving the Epoll book, the certified voting list and/or ballot applications shall be noted in detail on the Board of Elections discrepancy report. The following discrepancies shall be processed as follows:

1. If a voter signs the Epoll book then decides not to complete the voting process by casting his or her ballot into the digital scan unit and instead surrenders his or her ballot to the Warden/Moderator, the voter will complete a Surrender of Ballot form. This form will be delivered to the Board in the Board return bag and the voter's check-in will be deleted by the Board. If after surrendering the initial ballot and completing the Surrender of Ballot form the voter returns to the polling location, the voter will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
2. When utilizing ballot applications and a voter signs his or her ballot application but does not complete the voting process by casting his or her ballot into the digital scan unit and instead surrenders his or her ballot to the Warden/Moderator, the ballot application shall be voided. If the voter returns, the bipartisan pair of Supervisors shall confirm the voter's initial application has been voided and that voter shall repeat the ballot application process.
3. When utilizing ballot applications, if a voter's name is not listed on the certified precinct voting list, but is listed on the certified master voting list for the city/town and the master voting list indicates the voter is assigned to that precinct, the voter shall be allowed to manually complete a ballot application by printing his/her name and address and signing his/her name.

410 R.I. Code R. 410-RICR-20-00-4.6