S 2131Elections & Voting

Elections - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies

This bill extends the 50-foot ban on political campaigning near polling places to explicitly include early voting locations.

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Introduced Jan 16, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation updates existing election laws to clarify that the "buffer zone" around polling places applies to early voting locations as well as Election Day polling sites. Currently, it is illegal to distribute political literature or display campaign materials within 50 feet of a voting entrance. This bill explicitly states that this prohibition covers the early voting period, ensuring that voters are not subjected to electioneering or political influence immediately prior to entering the building to cast their ballots, regardless of which day they choose to vote.

For younger readers

When people go to vote, there are special rules to make sure they can do so peacefully. One rule is that people cannot try to convince you who to vote for right outside the door of the building where you vote. They have to stay 50 feet away. This bill makes it clear that this rule applies not just on the main Election Day, but also on the days before the election when people are allowed to vote early. This keeps the voting area quiet and fair for everyone, every time they vote.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

VotersCandidates for public officePolitical partiesElection officialsCampaign volunteers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Protects the voting process from intimidation and harassment, ensuring that vulnerable populations feel safe accessing the ballot box during early voting periods.
Promotes fairness and consistency by applying the same anti-electioneering standards to all voters, regardless of whether they choose to vote early or on Election Day.
Strengthens democratic institutions by creating a neutral environment for voting, reducing the influence of aggressive campaigning at the immediate point of voting.
Restricts political speech and expression in public spaces, which limits the ability of activists to communicate with the public near government buildings.
Could potentially hinder grassroots organizing efforts that rely on last-minute voter contact and literature distribution at high-traffic voting locations.
Increases the potential for law enforcement or election official intervention against protesters or campaigners, which could be applied disproportionately against marginalized groups.

For Conservatives

Upholds the rule of law and order by preventing chaotic electioneering environments and potential confrontations at early voting sites.
Protects the sanctity of the vote by ensuring that individuals can cast their ballots without being pestered or influenced by political operatives at the door.
Standardizes election regulations, removing ambiguity and ensuring that the rules are applied consistently across all voting timeframes.
Limits First Amendment rights by restricting where citizens and candidates can exercise free speech and distribute political materials.
Expands government regulation over political activity, imposing more rules on how campaigns can interact with voters.
Reduces the opportunity for candidates to make a final appeal to voters, potentially impacting campaign strategies that rely on visibility at polling places.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 3 additions

SECTION 1. Section 17-19-49 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows: 17-19-49. Political literature and influence. No poster, paper, circular, or other document designed or tending to aid, injure, or defeat any candidate for public office or any political party on any question submitted to the voters shall be distributed or displayed within the voting place or within fifty (50) feet of the entrance or entrances to the building in which voting is conducted at any primary or election, including both early voting and election day voting. Neither shall any election official display on his or her person within the voting place any political party button, badge, or other device tending to aid, injure, or defeat the candidacy of any person for public office or any question submitted to the voters or to intimidate or influence the voters.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.