PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea says it’s time for Rhode Island to allow early in-person voting.
The Democrat proposes allowing people to vote during normal business hours for a 20-day period before primary and general elections, and on the weekend before each election. Gorbea says it would help busy voters and eliminate the need for many emergency mail ballots.
Most states allow qualified voters to cast a ballot in person during a designated period prior to Election Day.
Bills to allow early in-person voting have stalled in previous legislative sessions. Town officials, including clerks, are worried about the logistics, especially for weekend voting.
It’s one of a handful of election-related bills submitted at Gorbea’s request. She also proposes moving the state primary to August instead of September.
