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4/7/2016
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Rep. Barros cosponsors electronic voter legislation signed into law
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) attended a bill signing of legislation (2016-H 7024) he cosponsored that allows Rhode Islanders to register to vote or update their voter information online in time for the November 2016 elections.
“This legislation is about making the voting process easier for Rhode Islanders,” said Representative Barros. “By allowing online voter registration, we are streamlining the process and providing the smoothest possible path for our citizens to exercise their right to vote.”
In addition to authorizing the Department of State to establish a web portal for eligible voters to register or update their existing voter registration information online, the legislation allows the department to cross-reference voter registration information with voter databases of other states. This will help the Department of State clean up the state's voter rolls.
Rhode Island joins 31 states and the District of Columbia that currently offer online voter registration, and three additional states that are in the implementation process.
The Rhode Island Department of State will immediately begin development of the Online Voter Registration Portal and have it ready for eligible voters to use ahead of the elections this fall. It is expected to be ready within 60 days.
Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), second from right, stands with, from left, Sen. Erin Lynch Prata (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston), Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence), Rep. Aaron Regunberg (D-Dist. 4, Providence), and Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea as Governor Gina Raimondo signs the legislation into law in the State House Library
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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