Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 410 - Board of Elections
Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 410 is dedicated to the Rhode Island Board of Elections. This title contains the comprehensive set of rules and regulations that govern all aspects of elections and campaign finance within the state.
The Rhode Island Board of Elections is the state agency responsible for regulating various aspects of the election process and administering campaign finance laws. Its mission is to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure the effective and efficient administration of election laws in Rhode Island and the United States.
Here's a breakdown of the key areas typically covered in Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 410, organized by chapters:
Chapter 10: Campaign Finance
This chapter focuses on the regulations related to campaign contributions, expenditures, and financial reporting for candidates, political party committees, political action committees (PACs), and ballot question advocates. Key aspects include:
Reporting Requirements: Detailed rules on what needs to be reported, when it needs to be reported, and the format for electronic filing.
Contribution Limits: Regulations on the maximum amounts individuals and entities can contribute to campaigns.
Permitted/Prohibited Uses of Campaign Funds: Guidance on how campaign funds can and cannot be spent.
Public Financing: Rules for candidates who opt into and qualify for matching public funds for general office.
Fines and Penalties: Consequences for violations of campaign finance laws, including delinquent reports and exceeding contribution limits.
Coordinated and Independent Expenditures: Specific reporting requirements for expenditures made in coordination with or independently of campaigns.
Chapter 20: Elections
This is a broad chapter covering the procedural and operational aspects of conducting elections in Rhode Island. It includes rules on:
Voter Registration: Requirements for voter eligibility, registration procedures, and maintenance of voter lists.
Ballot Applications and Issuance: Procedures for applying for and receiving ballots, including absentee/mail ballots and emergency mail ballots.
Polling Place Conduct: Regulations governing activities at polling places, including voter identification requirements, the use of electronic poll books, handling provisional ballots, and rules regarding political literature and electronic recording devices.
Mail Ballot Certification Process: Procedures for verifying and counting mail ballots.
Voter Identification: Rules on what constitutes valid photo identification for voting.
Local Boards of Canvassers: Regulations pertaining to the composition, appointment, and duties of local canvassing authorities, including their bipartisan nature.
Recounts and Protests: Procedures for requesting and conducting recounts, and for filing protests regarding election results or conduct.
Declaration of Candidacy: Rules for candidates filing their declarations.
Nomination Papers: Requirements for obtaining and verifying signatures on nomination papers.
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Complaint Procedure: Establishes an administrative complaint process for alleged violations of HAVA.
Risk-Limiting Audits: Regulations for conducting post-election risk-limiting audits to verify election results, including transparency and methodology.
Vote-by-Mail Ballot Drop Boxes: Rules for the establishment and use of drop boxes for returning mail ballots.
In essence, Title 410 of the Rhode Island Code of Regulations serves as the comprehensive legal framework for the Rhode Island Board of Elections to fulfill its mandate of overseeing fair, transparent, and efficient elections across the state, from voter registration and campaign finance to actual polling place operations and post-election audits.
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