The bill amends Section 17-20-23 of the General Laws regarding the marking and certification of mail ballots. Key changes include the requirement for voters to return their ballots by 8:00 PM on election day, either by mailing them, depositing them in an official drop box, or delivering them to the state board of elections. The bill specifies that only certain individuals, such as the voter, immediate family members, or authorized persons who are not affiliated with a candidate or political campaign, may handle a voter's mail ballot. It prohibits candidates or their affiliates from possessing ballots other than their own, with exceptions for immediate family members, caregivers, and certain authorized personnel.

Additionally, the bill allows for assistance to voters who require help due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, provided the assistant is not the voter's employer, agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union. The bill introduces penalties for individuals who knowingly and willfully violate these provisions, classifying such violations as misdemeanors. Any reference to "mail ballot" or "ballot by mail" in this section is also applicable to emergency mail ballots. The act is set to take effect upon passage, aiming to enhance the integrity and security of the mail voting process.

Statutes affected:
7979: 17-20-23