This bill amends Section 17-11-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-11 entitled "Voting Districts and Officials." The amendment allows the local board of any city or town to divide or redivide the city or town, or any representative district in the city or town, into voting districts. The board must determine voting districts based on geographical boundaries and ensure that no voting district comprises parts of two or more wards. The board must also divide the city or town, representative district, or ward so that no more than 3,500 total eligible registered voters are served by the same polling place. However, the board cannot create a polling place serving less than 500 total eligible registered voters, except in certain circumstances. The bill also establishes uniform standards for polling place location, taking into account factors such as accessibility to historically disenfranchised communities, proximity to dense concentrations of voters, accessibility by public transportation, equitable distribution of polling places, and maximizing voter participation. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5460: 17-11-1