S 2979Elections & Voting

Approve and Publish and Submit to the Electors a Proposition of Amendment to the Constitution - Of Qualification for Office

Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring state general officers to be RI residents and registered voters for two continuous years before taking office.

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Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution to establish strict residency and voter registration requirements for the state's general officers. If approved by the voters, it would mandate that anyone holding the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, or general treasurer must have been a resident and a registered voter in Rhode Island for at least two continuous years immediately prior to taking office.

The resolution directs the Secretary of State to publish the proposed amendment in local newspapers and submit it to the electorate for approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. By placing this question on the ballot, the legislature is giving voters the final say on whether to tighten the qualifications for the state's highest executive offices. If passed by the voters, the constitutional amendment would officially take effect on January 1, 2027.

For younger readers

This bill asks voters to decide on a new rule for people who want to run for top state jobs, like the Governor. The new rule would say that to hold these jobs, a person must have lived and been registered to vote in Rhode Island for at least two years in a row.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Political candidatesRhode Island votersState election officials

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low - This bill is a proposed constitutional amendment following the standard legislative process for submitting such amendments to the voters under Article XIV of the Rhode Island Constitution.

Estimated cost

Not specified

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures candidates have a demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the local community
Prevents wealthy out-of-state individuals from moving to the state solely to buy an election
Strengthens democratic integrity by ensuring leaders are rooted in the state's unique civic environment
Restricts the candidate pool, potentially excluding diverse or highly qualified individuals who recently moved to the state
Creates barriers to entry for political office that could favor established, long-term political insiders
Could be seen as protecting incumbents from outside challengers

For Conservatives

Protects state sovereignty by ensuring leaders are true Rhode Islanders
Prevents out-of-state political opportunists from taking over state government
Reinforces the importance of local residency and active voter registration as a baseline for leadership
Limits the free choice of voters to elect whomever they want, regardless of how long they have lived in the state
Restricts the free movement of individuals seeking public office
Could prevent successful business leaders or military veterans who recently relocated to the state from running for office

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 4 additions

RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general assembly voting therefor, the following amendment to the Constitution of the state be proposed to the qualified electors of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the Constitution, for their approval, and that Section 9 shall be added to Article III, which is hereby amended, effective January l, 2027, to read as follows:

SECTION 9. Residency and registration for general officers. No person shall hold office as governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, or general treasurer, unless that person has been a resident and a registered voter in the State of Rhode Island for at least two (2) years, continuously, prior to taking office.

RESOLVED, That this amendment shall be, in the Constitution of the State, added to Article III of the Constitution; It is further

RESOLVED, That said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the several cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for general officers of the state; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause the said proposition of amendments to be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the said meetings of the said electors; and the said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or notices to be issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town, ward, or district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, ward, or district meetings to be held as aforesaid; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the town, ward, and district meetings to be held aforesaid shall be warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward, and district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town, ward, and district meetings for the election of general officers of the state.