§ 17-20-3. Definitions.
(a) Wherever used in this chapter, every word importing only the masculine gender is construed to extend to, and include, females as well as males.
(b) Whenever used in this chapter, “bipartisan pairs of supervisors” for primaries means a supervisor representing the endorsed candidates and a supervisor representing a majority of unendorsed candidates, and for nonpartisan elections and primaries means non-partisan pairs of supervisors.
(c) Wherever used in this chapter, “employed outside of the United States” includes any person who is:
(1) Employed by any agency, department, or division of the United States government and who, by reason of that employment, resides outside of the continental United States;
(2) Employed outside the territorial limits of the United States; or
(3) A spouse or dependent residing with persons so employed.
(d) Wherever used in this chapter, “services intimately connected with military operations” includes members of religious groups or welfare agencies assisting members of the armed forces who are officially attached to and serving with the armed forces and their spouses and dependents, and the spouses and dependents of members of the armed forces and of the merchant marine; provided, that the spouses and dependents are residing outside of the state with the members of the armed forces, merchant marine, or members of the religious or welfare agencies.
(e) Whenever a signature is required by a voter in this chapter, “signature” also means the voter’s mark “X” if the person is unable to sign his or her name because of physical incapacity or otherwise.
(f) Whenever used in this chapter, “bipartisan” means not of the same recognized political party.
(g) Whenever used in this chapter, “emergency” voting pursuant to § 17-20-2.2(g) shall be construed to mean “early” voting.
History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 227, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 314, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 459, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 45, § 5, effective June 7, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 46, § 5, effective June 7, 2022.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Section 17-20-1. - Voting by mail ballot.
Section 17-20-1.1. - Declaration of policy.
Section 17-20-2. - Eligibility for mail ballots.
Section 17-20-2.1. - Requirements for validity of mail ballot and mail ballot applications.
Section 17-20-2.2. - Requirements for validity of emergency mail ballots.
Section 17-20-2.3. - Online application for mail ballot.
Section 17-20-3. - Definitions.
Section 17-20-4. - Exemption from registration.
Section 17-20-5. - Residence of person in service or employed outside of the United States.
Section 17-20-6. - Alternative methods of voting.
Section 17-20-7. - Duplication of votes — Methods preferred.
Section 17-20-8. - Application for ballot.
Section 17-20-8.1. - Repealed.
Section 17-20-9.1. - Application by member of the armed forces in active service.
Section 17-20-10.1. - Repealed.
Section 17-20-10.2. - Official state blank ballots.
Section 17-20-11. - Safekeeping of lists of applicants.
Section 17-20-12. - Secretary of state to furnish forms and supplies.
Section 17-20-13. - Form of application.
Section 17-20-13.1. - Form of emergency mail ballot application.
Section 17-20-14.1. - Mail ballots — Local supervision.
Section 17-20-14.2. - Voting from board of canvassers.
Section 17-20-16. - Time of casting vote.
Section 17-20-17. - Omission of presidential electors.
Section 17-20-18. - Instructions on ballot.
Section 17-20-19. - Envelopes for return of ballots.
Section 17-20-20. - Instructions for voting procedure.
Section 17-20-21. - Certifying envelopes.
Section 17-20-22.1. - Mail ballot drop boxes.
Section 17-20-23. - Marking and certification of ballot.
Section 17-20-24. - Irregularities not impairing validity of ballots.
Section 17-20-24.1. - Irregularities in obtaining and casting mail ballots.
Section 17-20-25. - Return of unused ballots.
Section 17-20-26. - Opening and counting of ballots.
Section 17-20-27. - Sealing of ballots and voting list.
Section 17-20-28. - Copies of chapter furnished to local boards.
Section 17-20-29. - Mail applicant not permitted to vote at polls.
Section 17-20-30. - Penalty for violations.
Section 17-20-31. - Investigation of complaints.
Section 17-20-32. - [Repealed.]
Section 17-20-33. - Disqualification of ballot by board of elections.