Bill Sponsors
Burke, and LaMountain
Committee
Senate Judiciary
Summary
Select
This bill modifies the schedule for primary elections in Rhode Island. Currently, primaries occur on the eighth Tuesday before the biennial state election. Under this legislation, if that Tuesday falls on the day after Labor Day, the primary election will move to the following day, Wednesday. The bill specifies that even if the election date moves to Wednesday, all legal deadlines for candidate processes—such as nominations, challenges, and withdrawals—will still be calculated based on the original Tuesday date.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Potentially increases voter turnout by avoiding a primary election on the day immediately following a major holiday weekend, allowing voters time to return from travel and prepare.
- Helps ensure adequate staffing at polling places, as poll workers are less likely to be unavailable due to extending their Labor Day holiday weekend.
- Maintains administrative consistency by keeping statutory deadlines anchored to the original date, preventing confusion in the election preparation process.
Cons for Progressives
- Holding an election on a Wednesday is a break from the standard Tuesday tradition, which could cause voter confusion and potentially result in missed voting opportunities for those accustomed to the routine.
- Calculating administrative deadlines based on a Tuesday while holding the election on a Wednesday creates a complex discrepancy that could confuse candidates and campaign organizers.
- Does not address more systemic barriers to voting access, such as establishing weekend voting or making Election Day a holiday, representing a very minor fix rather than substantial reform.
Pros for Conservatives
- Improves the logistical efficiency of election administration by avoiding the immediate rush of setting up polling stations on the tail end of a federal holiday weekend.
- Preserves the integrity of statutory deadlines for candidate filings and challenges, ensuring that the rules remain consistent regardless of the calendar shift.
- Demonstrates a pragmatic approach to government scheduling that respects the Labor Day holiday without creating significant costs or expanding government bureaucracy.
Cons for Conservatives
- Disrupting the long-standing tradition of Tuesday elections could create confusion among the electorate and undermine the stability of established election cycles.
- Creating a disconnect between the actual election date (Wednesday) and the legal deadline calculations (Tuesday) introduces unnecessary complexity to the election code.
- Represents a change to the election system that may be viewed as unnecessary tinkering, as voters and the government should be able to manage a Tuesday election regardless of the preceding holiday.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Voters
- Candidates for office
- Poll workers
- Election officials
- Political parties
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 17-15-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-15 entitled "Primary Elections" is hereby amended to read as follows:
17-15-1. Date of primaries.
A primary election for the nomination of candidates for each political party shall be held in each voting district in the manner provided in this chapter on the eighth Tuesday preceding biennial state elections. Provided, however, that if the eighth Tuesday is the day after Labor Day, then the primary election shall be held on the next day, the Wednesday, and in such occurrence, the dates for the primary candidate nomination, challenge, objection, hearing, withdrawal, vacancy, and certification processes established by §§ 17-14-11, 17-14-12, 17-15-38, and 17-9-7, including any ensuing statutory deadlines tied to those dates, shall be calculated as if the primary election were still held on the Tuesday.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
17-15-1. Date of primaries.
A primary election for the nomination of candidates for each political party shall be held in each voting district in the manner provided in this chapter on the eighth Tuesday preceding biennial state elections. Provided, however, that if the eighth Tuesday is the day after Labor Day, then the primary election shall be held on the next day, the Wednesday, and in such occurrence, the dates for the primary candidate nomination, challenge, objection, hearing, withdrawal, vacancy, and certification processes established by §§ 17-14-11, 17-14-12, 17-15-38, and 17-9-7, including any ensuing statutory deadlines tied to those dates, shall be calculated as if the primary election were still held on the Tuesday.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.