The bill proposes amendments to the General Laws concerning election procedures to establish uniform deadlines and requirements for candidates seeking office. It sets a standard deadline of 4:00 p.m. for the submission of any required paperwork or the completion of any necessary actions under the title. However, applications for emergency mail ballots are an exception, with a deadline of 4:00 p.m. on the day before an election or primary. Deadlines that fall on weekends or holidays are moved to the next business day, with the exception of voter registration and party designation changes, which must be completed 30 days before an election or primary.

Further, the bill outlines the process for declarations of candidacy, including filing time frames and required information. It introduces a new rule that candidates must not have been a member of another political party within 90 days of filing their declaration, except in the case of special federal elections, where the period is shortened to 30 days. The bill also specifies procedures for checking and certifying nomination papers, including submission deadlines and the process for handling signature challenges. New provisions are included for special elections at state, local, and federal levels, adjusting filing deadlines and party affiliation requirements accordingly. The bill is designed to take effect immediately upon passage, but the text does not provide specific details on insertions or deletions to the current law.

Statutes affected:
6185: 17-1-7