The provisions of the laws of the State of Rhode Island pertaining to elections and related matters, including the rights and qualifications of voters; the registration of voters; the Canvassing Authority and Registration, and the registering, listing, and returning lists of voters, and proof of their qualification to vote; canvassing the rights and correcting the list of voters; elective meetings; the hours of opening and closing the polls; voting machines; absentee voting; and crimes, penalties and forfeitures under the election laws; and any and all other provisions of the laws of the State of Rhode Island relating to the qualifications of electors, registration, the manner of voting, the duties of election officials and all other particulars in respect to preparation for, conducting, and management of elections, shall govern every city primary, general and special election, so far as they may be applicable, excepting those provisions which are inconsistent with this Charter.
Whenever in said election laws and related matters reference is made to any political party, or reference is made to voting machines as being prepared for voting purposes in accordance with political party designation, or any reference of whatever kind and designation is made in said election laws and related matters to any political party or political designation, for the purpose of this Charter only each and every such reference to a political party shall be held to be eliminated from said election laws in accordance with the provisions of this Charter.
All municipal elections in the City of
(Ch. No. 7635, Secs.1 & 2, 8-03-2011)
The city shall consist of one ward.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 3.
(a) The term of office of all city officers elected by the people at a regular municipal election shall date from 8:00 p.m. local time on the first Tuesday following the thirtieth day of November following the regular city election.
(b) The term of office of all city officers elected by the people at a special municipal election shall date from the tenth day following the date of election. (Election of 4-1-69; election of 5-24-77)
Each candidate for elective office in the city shall be a qualified elector of the city. Candidates for election may be nominated by petition signed by not less than one hundred (100) qualified electors of the city.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 6.
Each nominating petition shall state the name of the office and set forth the name and place of residence of the candidate thereby nominated. Declarations of candidacy must be filed with the canvassing authority not less than one week prior to the time when nominating petitions must be furnished to candidates.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 8.
Every voter signing a nominating petition shall indicate thereon his name, place or residence and street number, if any, as it appears on the voting list; but any voter who is unable to write may sign by making his mark (X) on the nomination paper in the presence of two (2) witnesses who shall subscribe their names on the paper as witnesses to the signing.
(Ch. No. 7635, Secs.1 & 2, 8-03-2011)
Before a nominating petition may be filed with the canvassing authority, there shall be filed with said canvassing authority an acceptance of the nomination in writing, signed by the candidate, which shall certify that the nominee consents to stand as a candidate and that if elected he agrees to take office and serve.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 10.
Each nominating petition shall be verified by an oath or affirmation of one or more of the persons circulating the petition, taken and subscribed before a person qualified to administer an oath, to the effect that the petition was signed by each of the signers thereof in the handwriting of the signer.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 11.
Upon receiving a nominating petition and statement of acceptance of any candidate, the canvassing authority of the city shall then certify to the validity of any petition having a sufficient number of proper signatures.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 12.
The canvassing authority shall certify a list of candidates and shall cause to be published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the city the names and addresses of the candidates who have duly filed valid nominating petitions and acceptances.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 13.
The ballot for city elections shall contain the names of the candidates arranged by the office to be voted for and listed alphabetically under the title of the office. If the number of candidates names exceeds the capacity of the voting machine on vertical listing, the secretary of state shall have the authority for a suitable ballot arrangement. No name or designation shall appear upon the ballot other than the name and address of each candidate.
(Election of 5-24-77)
At the primary election, the number of candidates equal to twice the number of places to be filled at the regular or special city election who shall receive the greatest number of votes shall be declared nominated as candidates for office.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 16,
An additional candidate or candidates beyond the limitation imposed by section 14 of this chapter shall be declared nominated at the primary election whenever a candidate receiving the least number of votes qualifying him as a candidate for office shall receive the same number of votes as another candidate or candidates. In such event all candidates receiving the same number of votes shall be declared nominated.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 17.
If the number of candidates certified for any elective office does not exceed twice the number of places to be filled at the election, then no primary election shall be held for such office.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 18.
At any city election other than a primary election, the person or persons receiving the greatest number of votes for an office, not exceeding the number of persons to be chosen, shall be declared elected to the office.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 19.
The votes shall be counted and the result of the election declared by the canvassing authority of the city in the manner provided for other elections.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 20.
The council by ordinance shall provide for nominations, primaries and elections for city offices or for questions on local matters, except as otherwise required by this charter.
The residents of the city having the qualifications of electors in the state shall be electors of the city.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 21.
No person may be a candidate for more than one elective office at any one city election.
Editor’s note—Similar provisions, Charter Appendix, § 22.
*Editor’s note—For provisions of P.L. 1953, Ch. 3235, pertaining to elections, see the appendix following this charter.
(Ch. No. 7635, 8-3-2011)