Representative Evan P. Shanley

Chair, House State Government and Elections Committee

Member, House Innovation, Internet and Technology Committee

Member, House Municipal Government and Housing Committee

Member, House Rules Committee

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Evan Patrick Shanley (D) was first elected in November 2016 and represents House District 24, Warwick and East Greenwich. He is the chairman of the House State Government and Elections Committee and is a member of the House Innovation, Internet and Technology Committee, the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee, and the House Rules Committee.

A strong advocate for fair, secure and transparent elections, he introduced a new law during the 2022 session that allows for the early certification of mail ballots and establishes a new, more comprehensive mail ballot voter signature verification process. He also championed the “Let RI Vote Act,” which expands voter access while ensuring the integrity of Rhode Island elections.

In 2021, he sponsored a law to ensure that all students who wish to pursue a career and technical education have access to high quality programs both within and outside of their community of residence.

In 2020, Representative Shanley introduced a law that amends the state’s emergency mail ballot procedures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation adds an additional option for securing a mail ballot by permitting emergency mail ballot applications to be processed at local boards of canvassers in person on electronic poll pads, which allows voters to cast their ballot and place the ballot themselves into a state-approved voting machine at the local board of canvassers. Voters have up to 20 days before the election to vote in this manner.

He also introduced a resolution that created a special legislative commission to study privacy protection on the Internet. The 11-member Rhode Island Online Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Commission studied and made recommendations on legislation for protecting individuals from disclosures of information.

He graduated from Toll Gate High School in 2005 and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Providence College in 2009. He earned his juris doctor from Catholic University in 2012. He practices law with the firm Gursky/Wiens.​

Born Oct. 17, 1986, he and his wife, Meredith (Garrity), reside in Warwick with their son, Maxwell and daughter, Lucille.​​