Bill > S0517

This bill amends the existing voter eligibility laws in Rhode Island to allow cities and towns with elected school committees to provide an option for citizens as young as 16 years old to register and vote specifically in school committee elections. Currently, voters must be 18 years old to vote in most elections, with a limited exception for 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the general election. The new provision would permit municipalities to create their own local mechanism (through ordinance or referendum) that allows 16-year-old residents who have lived in the state for at least 30 days to register and vote in school committee elections. This means each city or town would have the discretion to decide whether to implement this expanded voting age for school committee elections, rather than it being a statewide mandate. The bill would take effect immediately upon its passage, giving local governments the immediate ability to adopt this new voting option if they choose to do so.

Justice

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