This bill amends Section 17-20-2.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-20 entitled "Mail Ballots." The amendment adds a new requirement for the validity of mail ballots and mail ballot applications. It states that no person, except for the voter, their spouse, court-appointed guardian, cohabitant, or any adult person related to the voter by blood or marriage, shall offer to mail or mail another person's mail ballot. Violation of this provision would be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not to exceed one year or a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. The bill also clarifies that a mail ballot application will not be disqualified if the voter's circumstances change between the time of making the application and voting their mail ballot, as long as the voter remains qualified to receive a mail ballot.

This bill aims to prevent unauthorized individuals from handling and mailing someone else's mail ballot. It restricts the mailing of mail ballots to only the voter, their spouse, court-appointed guardian, cohabitant, or any adult person related to the voter by blood or marriage. This is to ensure the integrity and security of the mail ballot process.

Statutes affected:
395: 17-20-2.1