Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 17-14 - Nomination of Party and Independent Candidates
Section 17-14-8. - Signing of nomination papers.

§ 17-14-8. Signing of nomination papers.
Not all endorsers of a candidate need sign on the same nomination papers, but endorsers who are voters in different cities and towns shall not sign the same sheet. Every voter signing a nomination paper shall sign in person with his or her name, place of residence, and street number, as it appears on the voting list. The signature shall be accepted as valid if it can be reasonably identified to be the signature of the voter it purports to be. A variation of the voter’s signature by the insertion or omission of identifying titles or by the substitution of initials for the first or middle names, or both, shall not in itself be grounds for invalidation of the signature. Any voter who is unable to write may sign by making his or her mark “X” on the nomination paper in the presence of two (2) witnesses who shall subscribe their names on the paper as witnesses to the signing.
History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1886, § 10; P.L. 1948, ch. 2100, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-14-8; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 271, § 1.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 17 - Elections

Chapter 17-14 - Nomination of Party and Independent Candidates

Section 17-14-1. - Declarations of candidacy.

Section 17-14-1.1. - Party affiliation.

Section 17-14-1.2. - Candidate required to be a qualified voter in the election.

Section 17-14-2. - Candidate required to be a qualified voter in the primary.

Section 17-14-2.1. - Party candidates not eligible for independent nomination and independent candidates not eligible for party nomination.

Section 17-14-3. - Repealed.

Section 17-14-4. - Preparation of nomination papers for candidates — Combination of endorsed candidates — Furnishing of nomination papers to candidates.

Section 17-14-4.1. - Party committees — Nomination papers unnecessary.

Section 17-14-5. - Repealed.

Section 17-14-6. - Statement at head of nomination papers.

Section 17-14-7. - Number of signers required for nomination papers.

Section 17-14-8. - Signing of nomination papers.

Section 17-14-9. - Number of papers signed by same voter.

Section 17-14-10. - Affidavit of person obtaining signatures.

Section 17-14-11. - Checking and certification of nomination papers — Challenge.

Section 17-14-12. - Filing of nomination papers.

Section 17-14-12.1. - Certification by local boards.

Section 17-14-13. - Objections to eligibility of candidate or sufficiency of papers.

Section 17-14-14. - Hearings on objections — Witnesses — Notice.

Section 17-14-15. - Withdrawal of candidacy.

Section 17-14-16. - Certification of names of candidates to secretary of state.

Section 17-14-17. - Replacement of deceased endorsed candidate.

Section 17-14-17.1. - Repealed.