(a)  Prior to any election at which optical scan precinct count voting units are to be used, including those that are accessible for voters who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled, the secretary of state shall prepare the layout and format of the computer ballot in conjunction with the voting equipment vendor under contract with the state. The secretary of state shall be responsible for the coding and layout of all computer ballots to be used in each election under contract, including the printing of the ballot and the preparation of the device to ensure that the ballots are displayed correctly on the accessible voting units and compatible with the device, and shall transfer all information relative to the ballot and its preparation to the state board.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 17-19-14

  • Candidate: means any individual who has qualified under law to have his or her name appear on the ballot for nomination for election or election to office;

    (2)  "Computer ballot" means the paper ballot prepared by the office of the secretary of state for use in conjunction with the optical-scan precinct-count system or the voting equipment precinct-count system then in place and procured in accordance with this chapter;

    (3)  "Public office" means any state, municipal, school, or district office or other position that is filled by popular election, except political party offices which shall mean any state, city, town, ward, or representative or senatorial district committee office of a political party or delegate to a political party convention, or any similar office;

    (4)  A "Vote" shall be any mark made with the appropriate marking device within the ballot voting area between the head and tail of the arrow or in the oval as indicated on the computer ballot next to the candidate, write-in candidate, or question, as is applicable, for whom the voter casts his or her ballot, except as provided in § 17-20-24;

    (5)  "Voting equipment" means an optical-scan precinct-count voting system or the voting equipment precinct-count system then in place and procured in accordance with this chapter, related memory device, all related hardware and software, accessible voting systems required by federal law, and voting booths;

    (6)  "Warden" includes moderator and vice versa; and

    (7)  "Write-in candidate" means any individual receiving votes or seeking election to office by virtue of having irregular ballots cast for him or her pursuant to § 17-19-31. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-19-1

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.

(b)  Subsequently, the state board, in conjunction with the voter equipment vendor under contract with the state, shall be responsible for the testing of the programmed memory cartridge, the testing of each unit for logic and accuracy, including ensuring the accessible voting unit is properly calibrated and correctly coded, and the set up of each optical scan precinct unit at each polling place. The state board of elections shall determine, and document on the forms provided for that purpose, the fact that the programmed memory device cartridges for the optical scan precinct count and accessible voting units are in good working order, that the daily counter is at zero, and all of the candidates’ counters are set at zero and record no vote for any candidate.

(c)  The state board of elections, in conjunction with the voting equipment vendor under contract with the state, shall publicly conduct these tests on each programmed cartridge for each optical scan precinct count and accessible voting unit to be used for the election. This testing shall be made as near to the time of the election as is feasible.

(d)  The state board of elections, in consultation with the secretary of state, shall promulgate rules and regulations on logic and accuracy testing protocols, pursuant to chapter 35 of Title 42 (“administrative procedures”).

History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 14; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 9; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, §§ 36, 39; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-16; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-14; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 175, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 287, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2023, ch. 140, § 2, effective June 20, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 141, § 2, effective June 20, 2023.