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2022: Let RI Vote Bills

Work Began: 2021 | Signed Into Law: June 8, 2022

Expanding Voting Access

The Womxn Project proudly lead with Common Cause in a small steering committee to help pass the Let RI Vote Bills in 2022!

This law makes voting more accessible to eligible citizens of Rhode Island, by expanding the use of mail-in ballots and creating additional voter information services. 

When Common Cause first approached TWP to participate in the Let RI Vote coalition, we had just issued an "Open and Accessible Government" letter to the RI Government, urging our lawmakers to be more inclusive of public input during the 2021 legislative session. The letter was backed by 40 non-profit co-signers, and it was clear the mood was right in Rhode Island to prioritize voter access, too! 

Goals of This Bill

  • Increase voter turnout by removing barriers to RI's mail-In voting process
  • Allow early voting to begin 20 days prior to election day
  • Ensures secure ballot boxes are available throughout RI
  • Change the Braille Ballot Application Deadline from 30 days prior to election to 21 days prior to election
  • Require the Secretary of State to update the Voter List four times per year, to ensure it remains up-to-date
  • Create a Multilingual Voter Information Hotline

Free and fair elections are a pillar of our democracy. Updating our voting laws to remove unnecessary barriers will make it easier for people to exercise this fundamental right."

Senator Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown)

It has always been a uniquely American struggle to get our residents to vote and this legislation, as we saw last election, will encourage more voters to participate in the electoral process."

House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence)

Press

Common Cause RI
RI ACLU
Govenor's Office
RI General Assembly
Rhode Island Current

TWP Blog

June 8, 2022
Govenor McKee signs the Let RI Vote BIlls into Law
Supporter makes a statement at Let RI Vote signing
The Let RI Vote coalition poses with the Govenor after the bills are signed into law
TWP partnered with Common Cause Rhode Island to expand non-profit support for the Let RI Vote Bills
Govenor McKee signs the Let RI Vote BIlls into Law
Supporter makes a statement at Let RI Vote signing
The Let RI Vote coalition poses with the Govenor after the bills are signed into law
TWP partnered with Common Cause Rhode Island to expand non-profit support for the Let RI Vote Bills

Before the passage of the Let RI Vote Bills, Rhode Islanders faced many challenges to mail-in voting:

  • Ballot applications could not be requested online
  • Mail-in voting was only allowed for emergency reasons
  • Mail-in ballots required notarization or witness signature
  • Voters needed to provide a reason for voting by mail or voting early

We all win when more Rhode Islanders get to participate in the democratic process! However, many qualified voters face challenges submitting their vote, due to difficulty getting to a polling location on election day and language barriers.

A provision within the bills creates a permanent "Absentee List" for nursing home residents, meaning they can opt-in to automatically receive an application for a mail ballot, rather than having to request a mail ballot application for each election.

A Multilingual Voter Information Hotline is now available, and the Braille Ballot Application Deadline has been changed from 30 days prior to election to 21 days prior to election, giving visually impaired voters more time to request their Braille Ballot.

Early voting also makes it easier for Rhode Islanders to find a time to vote that works with their personal schedule.

Join Our Lobbying Efforts!

Lobbying means working directly with members of the legislature and government to effect change on laws and policies. TWP will train you to be part of the fight: speak out, show up, and help shape the laws that protect our rights.
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