100-20-00 R.I. Code R. § 2.4

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 100-RICR-20-00-2.4 - Department of Corrections

A. The Department of Corrections (DOC) will act as a voter registration agency. As part of the release process leading to a sentenced felon's discharge from incarceration, the DOC shall notify that person, in writing, that voting rights are restored and provide that person with a voter registration form and a declination form, and offer that person assistance in filling out the appropriate form. The DOC will transmit the completed voter registration form to the State Board of Elections (BOE) in a timely manner, and according to a process and schedule established by the BOE, or alternatively, the DOC shall retain the declination form as part of its official records. No person shall be compelled to complete either form as a condition of release. If a person refuses to permit the DOC to transmit a completed voter registration form to the BOE, the person shall be permitted to make their own arrangements for delivery of the form to the BOE.

B. The BOE will train DOC staff to assure proper completion of the voter registration form and the declination form and will provide all necessary forms to the DOC. Training will also occur upon hiring and annually for all relevant employees, and within 30 days of any procedural changes or updates. The DOC will transmit completed voter registration forms to the BOE in a timely manner, and according to a process and schedule established by the BOE. The process and schedule will be to ensure that persons completing the voter registration form are added to the statewide Central Voter Registration System (CVRS) as quickly as possible.

C. The DOC shall once a month transmit to the Elections Division of the Department of State two lists, as follows:

1. persons convicted of a felony, who during the preceding monthly period, have become ineligible to vote because of their incarceration; and

2. persons convicted of a felony, who during the preceding monthly period, have become eligible to vote because of their discharge from incarceration.

3. Each list shall contain the following information about such persons:

a. name;

b. date of birth;

c. date of entry of judgment of conviction;

d. description of offense (Note: The Department of Corrections is not the official keeper of the records for offense descriptions and therefore DOC descriptions should not be relied upon in lieu of official court records);

e. sentence;

f. any alias identity(ies);

g. last known address (including city or town);

4. Additionally, in the 60-day period prior to a statewide primary or election, the DOC shall also transmit the above-mentioned two lists on a more frequent schedule as determined by the Department of State.

100 R.I. Code R. § 100-RICR-20-00-2.4