R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-19-33 (2026)
Sealing of voting equipment — Sealing and forwarding of results, programmed memory devices and keys
History of Section. P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 18; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-29; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-33; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2004, ch. 128, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 494, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 192, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 451, § 9.
(a) The copies of the printout tape from the optical-scan precinct-count unit obtained pursuant to § 17-19-32 shall be distributed as follows:
- (1) The first copy, which includes the opening of the polling place information, signatures of the warden and clerk, a timed audit trail of certain events occurring with respect to the optical-scan precinct-count system, and the vote totals for each candidate, shall be attached to the return sheet as provided in § 17-19-11 and immediately delivered to the local board of canvassers where it is processed and delivered to the state board of elections through a procedure promulgated by the state board;
- (2) A copy shall be made available to the public at the polling place;
- (3) A copy shall be immediately delivered to the local board of canvassers attached to the return sheet as provided in § 17-19-11, together with the polling place supplies, including the key to the optical-scan precinct-count unit and other voting equipment and containers; and
- (4) A copy shall be included with the voted ballots and packaged pursuant to this chapter.
- (5) The certified paper or electronic voter list containing voters’ signatures shall be secured separately and returned to the local board of canvassers.
- (6) All completed official affidavits, forms, reports, and supplies shall be packaged and delivered to the local board for subsequent delivery to the state board.
(b) The warden shall:
- (1) Remove all voted ballots from the compartment of the optical-scan precinct-count unit and package them in the container provided and labeled as voted ballots and stored pursuant to § 17-19-39.1;
- (2) [Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.]
- (3) Package all ballots from the emergency bin that have not been counted in the container provided and labeled as manual-count ballots and deliver to the local canvassing authority. Any ballots packaged and labeled as manual-count ballots shall remain sealed and delivered to the state board through a procedure promulgated by the state board.
- (c) All ballots so packaged shall be immediately delivered to the local canvassing authority.
- (d) [Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 18; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L. 1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-29; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-33; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, § 12; P.L. 2004, ch. 128, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 494, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 192, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 451, § 9.