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 prominently post information about these questions in at least three public locations and advertise in a newspaper of local circulation at least once prior to the election. Additionally, the bill allows for the substitution of newspaper advertising with a conspicuous and prominent notice on the municipality's website, which must remain posted for at least 21 consecutive days leading up to and including the date of the election.

The bill also introduces a new section, 17-8-11, which requires local boards to advertise early voting dates, hours, and locations in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town 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. Furthermore, it mandates that local boards publish a conspicuous and prominent notice on the municipality's website of the early voting information, which must remain published throughout the duration of any in-person early voting period and comply with web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 compliance level AA.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 17-9.1-3 to clarify the periods when local boards can receive voter registrations. It stipulates that local boards must remain open on the last day for voter registration and allows for the substitution of newspaper advertising for voter registration designations with a prominent notice on the municipality's website, which must be posted for at least ten consecutive days leading up to the last day prescribed by law for the taking of voter registrations and also comply with web content accessibility guidelines. This act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
819: 17-8-10, 17-9.1-3