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
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.