Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 17-20 - Mail Ballots
Section 17-20-6. - Alternative methods of voting.

§ 17-20-6. Alternative methods of voting.
Any qualified elector who is a member of the armed forces or of the merchant marine of the United States, or who is absent from the state in the performance of “services intimately connected with military operations” as defined in § 17-20-3(c), and any qualified elector of this state exempt from registration under § 17-20-4, shall have the right to vote at his or her option during the period of his or her service and for two (2) years thereafter by any one of the following methods:
(1) If the person is present within the state on the day of any election, that person shall have the right to vote in the manner prescribed in chapter 19 of this title, subject to any other provisions of this chapter.
(2) If the person is absent from the state on the day of any election, that person has the right to vote by absentee ballot in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, upon compliance with its provisions.
(3)(i) The elector may cast an official federal absentee ballot federal write-in absentee ballot “FWAB” in accordance with the laws of the United States.
(ii) The elector may use the “FWAB” to cast a vote for each federal, state and local office for which he or she is entitled to vote in a general, primary or special election.
(4) The elector may also cast an official state blank ballot issued by the office of the secretary of state in accordance with this chapter.
History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 358, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1.

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