The bill amends Section 17-8-10 of the General Laws to enhance the publication requirements for local questions submitted to voters during elections. It mandates that local boards of canvassers must advertise the dates, hours, and locations of early voting in a newspaper of general circulation at least once prior to the commencement of any in-person early voting period and at least once while that early voting period is underway. Additionally, it requires local boards to publish a conspicuous and prominent notice on the municipality's website of the same information, which must remain posted throughout the duration of any in-person early voting period, ensuring compliance with web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 compliance level AA.

The bill also introduces a new section, 17-8-11, which requires local boards to publish early voting dates, hours, and locations on the municipality's website for the duration of the in-person early voting period. Furthermore, it amends Section 17-9.1-3 to allow local boards to substitute advertising in a newspaper for posting a conspicuous and prominent notice of voter registration designations on the municipality's website for at least ten consecutive days leading up to the last day prescribed by law for voter registrations, also ensuring compliance with web content accessibility standards.

The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5518: 17-8-10, 17-9.1-3