This Tuesday, the state House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on legislation from Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis that would change Rhode Island’s presidential primary calendar in order to ensure that military voters and others living overseas get their ballots faster.
The legislation is in response to the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, which requires states to mail ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days prior to an election.
“Rhode Island’s servicemen and women protect our right to vote every day. We must do no less for them,” said Mollis. “This bill provides even more insurance that every ballot can be returned in time to be counted.”
Sponsored by state Rep. Donald Lally (D-South Kingstown), H 5653 would move up the deadlines for candidates to officially announce their intention to run in Rhode Island’s presidential primary and to submit the signatures of the 1,000 eligible voters necessary to get their names on the ballot.
Full Article: RI.gov | Rhode Island Government : Military Voting Bill from Secretary of State Mollis Set for House Vote Tuesday.