Signed by Governor Lincoln Chafee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires any person claiming to be an eligible voter to show proof of identity prior to voting in a primary election, special election, or general election.

Highlights:

• Establishes the following as acceptable forms of identification at polling precincts, beginning January 1, 2012 (Sec. 2):
• A valid and current document showing a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Rhode Island driver's license;
• Rhode Island voter identification card;
• United States passport;
• Identification card issued by a United States educational institution;
• United States military identification card;
• Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island; and
• Government-issued medical card; and
• A valid and current document without a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Birth certificate;
• Social security card; and
• Government-issued medical card.

• Requires that only identification with a photograph to be accepted for voting purposes beginning January 1, 2014 (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if a person claiming to be a registered eligible voter is unable to provide proof of identity, they may cast a provisional ballot upon completing a provisional ballot voter's certificate and affirmation (Sec. 2).

• Requires voter identification cards to be provided to voters upon request and free of charge beginning January 1, 2012 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires any person claiming to be an eligible voter to show proof of identity prior to voting in a primary election, special election, or general election.

Highlights:

• Establishes the following as acceptable forms of identification at polling precincts, beginning January 1, 2012 (Sec. 2):
• A valid and current document showing a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Rhode Island driver's license;
• Rhode Island voter identification card;
• United States passport;
• Identification card issued by a United States educational institution;
• United States military identification card;
• Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island; and
• Government-issued medical card; and
• A valid and current document without a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Birth certificate;
• Social security card; and
• Government-issued medical card.

• Requires that only identification with a photograph to be accepted for voting purposes beginning January 1, 2014 (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if a person claiming to be a registered eligible voter is unable to provide proof of identity, they may cast a provisional ballot upon completing a provisional ballot voter's certificate and affirmation (Sec. 2).

• Requires voter identification cards to be provided to voters upon request and free of charge beginning January 1, 2012 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text