The "Rhode Island Voting Rights Act" establishes a new chapter in Title 17 of the General Laws aimed at preventing discrimination in the voting process. It defines key terms such as "disability," "early voting," and "protected class." The Act prohibits political subdivisions from engaging in voter suppression or vote dilution, outlining specific criteria for violations that affect protected class members. It establishes guidelines for discrimination claims and requires courts to retain jurisdiction over violations, mandating judicial preapproval for any changes to election policies for up to ten years following a violation.

The Act mandates that the Secretary of State assess the need for language assistance for limited English proficient (LEP) and disabled voters, requiring political subdivisions that meet certain demographic thresholds to implement language assistance programs. It also establishes an online repository for election and voting data to support research and best practices. Provisions against intimidation, deception, and obstruction of voters are included, allowing aggrieved individuals to seek legal remedies.

Additionally, the Act amends existing provisional voting laws to ensure that provisional ballots are counted under specific conditions. The Act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, with certain sections effective from January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
3143: 17-19-24.1