Advocates push for permanent changes in RI voting laws

PROVIDENCE — The campaign has begun anew to make permanent a series of pandemic-era moves that allowed early voting and mail-ballot voting without the need for a witnesses or a notary.

The “Let RI Vote” campaign centers on two reintroduced pieces of legislation backed by a coalition of unions and advocacy groups, ranging from the AARP to the AFL-CIO to the Rhode Island Latino PAC to the Providence branch of the NAACP.

The bills would: allow a voter to apply for a mail ballot online; waive the requirement that a mail ballot be filled out and signed in the presence of two witnesses or a notary; and allow nursing home residents to opt in to automatically receive an application for a mail ballot.

It would also allow early in-person voting 20 days ahead of an election.

Previously:Coalition pitches changes to make voting easier in RI

The matching bills introduced in the House by Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian, and in the Senate by Sen. Dawn Euer, were born out of Rhode Island's 2020, mid-pandemic attempt to make voting easier. 

In 2020 that year's general election, 62% of Rhode Islanders voted early in person or by mail, compared to 38% at a polling place on Election Day

The advocates are also backing a separate    resolution that would seek voter approval for a constitutional amendment allowing the General Assembly to create same-day voter registration. Backers say four of the six New England states currently allow this.

“As we saw in 2020, early voting alternatives were used by a large portion of our population and ... this change in voting patterns produced a smooth and secure election process that ensured that everyone’s vote was safely counted,” Kazarian said Tuesday.

Barriers to voting

“The old-fashioned idea that working folks spend their weekdays on a 9-to-5 shift are long gone and it’s time our voting systems recognize 21st-century realities," added Patrick Crowley, secretary-treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.

On same-day voter registration, Sen. Alana DiMario said: "Removing barriers to voting like the 30-day registration requirement results in more people having their voice heard on Election Day."

"We don’t want them to face an antiquated barrier which keeps them out of the process and sends the message that their voice doesn’t matter,” added Rep. Nathan Biah. "Whether you are Black or white, young or old, Democrat or Republican – this is about ensuring everyone has the ability to cast a full ballot – if they choose to."

Later on Tuesday, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea - a candidate for governor - voiced her support for the proposed "Let RI Vote Act."

"In 2020, over 520,000 Rhode Islanders safely and securely voted either from home with a mail ballot, early in-person, or on Election Day.," Gorbea said. "Every one of these votes counted and mattered.

"This is fundamental to our democracy. At a time when we see states working to restrict voting options for their citizens, Rhode Island must continue to be a leader in voting access," she said.