S 3339Elections & Voting

Elections - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies

This bill prohibits ICE agents from coming within 200 feet of a polling place unless they are voting.

Signed into law60 Yea10 Nay5 Not voting

Population
Affected

Introduced Jun 1, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This bill prevents employees, agents, or officials from Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from coming within 200 feet of any polling place. This restriction applies during both early voting and on election day. The only exception is if the ICE employee is visiting the polling place to cast their own vote in accordance with all voting laws and rules.

For younger readers

This bill makes a rule for people who work for a government group called Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. ICE is a group that enforces rules about people moving to this country from other countries. The bill says that ICE workers cannot go near places where people are voting during an election. They have to stay at least 200 feet away. The only time they are allowed to go inside or be near the voting place is if they are going there to vote themselves.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

ICE agentsVotersImmigrant communitiesPoll workers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

The bill carries a Constitutional risk under the Supremacy Clause. States generally cannot prohibit federal law enforcement agents from executing federal laws or conducting official federal duties within state borders. If an ICE agent is pursuing a federal warrant for someone at a polling place, this state law attempting to ban them from the premises could be preempted by federal law and deemed unconstitutional.

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Protects voting rights and access for immigrant communities and naturalized citizens who might be intimidated by the presence of ICE agents at polling places.
Promotes a safe, welcoming environment for civic engagement and democratic participation without the threat of federal immigration enforcement actions.
Counters potential voter suppression tactics by ensuring polling locations remain neutral zones focused exclusively on the democratic process rather than immigration enforcement.
Does not extend the buffer zone beyond 200 feet, which may still allow ICE presence near enough to polling places to cause some indirect intimidation.
Fails to include other federal or state law enforcement agencies that might also be used to intimidate marginalized voters at the polls.
Lacks specific state-level enforcement mechanisms or penalties for ICE agents who violate the 200-foot boundary, potentially limiting the law's effectiveness.

For Conservatives

Asserts state sovereignty and local control by limiting the presence of federal agents at state-managed polling locations.
Ensures that polling places remain focused on the local administration of elections without interference or overreach from federal executive agencies.
Allows ICE agents the explicit exception to enter the 200-foot zone when they are exercising their own constitutional right to vote.
Restricts federal law enforcement officers from conducting their legal duties and apprehending individuals with active warrants who may be at or near polling locations.
Could be viewed as a sanctuary policy that shields undocumented immigrants from deportation and undermines the rule of law.
May increase concerns about election integrity among those who believe federal agents help deter non-citizens from attempting to vote illegally.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 6 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 17-19 of the General Laws entitled "Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 17-19-55. Voting interference. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees, agents, or officials shall not enter or remain within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place at which voting is being conducted, including both early voting and election day voting, except when such Federal Immigration and Customs employee, agent or official is present to vote in compliance with all applicable law, rules and regulations.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.