Rhode Island § 17-3-6 § 17-3-6. Vacancy in general assembly — Special elections.

Rhode Island Statutes

§ 17-3-6 — § 17-3-6. Vacancy in general assembly — Special elections.

Rhode Island § 17-3-6

Title 17Elections

Ch. 17-3General Assembly Members

This text of Rhode Island § 17-3-6 (§ 17-3-6. Vacancy in general assembly — Special elections.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Rhode Island primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-3-6 (2026).

Text

§ 17-3-6. Vacancy in general assembly — Special elections.
(a) Whenever from any cause a vacancy occurs in the representation of any senatorial or
            representative district in the general assembly while the general assembly is in session,
            the secretary of state shall cause the local board of the city or town to issue a
            warrant ordering an election to fill the vacancy, to be held in that district at least
            seventy (70) but not more than ninety (90) days from the occurrence of the vacancy;
            provided, that if the general assembly has nearly completed its January session so
            that it is doubtful whether the person to be chosen can serve as a member at 

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§ 17-3-6. Vacancy in general assembly — Special elections.

(a) Whenever from any cause a vacancy occurs in the representation of any senatorial or representative district in the general assembly while the general assembly is in session, the secretary of state shall cause the local board of the city or town to issue a warrant ordering an election to fill the vacancy, to be held in that district at least seventy (70) but not more than ninety (90) days from the occurrence of the vacancy; provided, that if the general assembly has nearly completed its January session so that it is doubtful whether the person to be chosen can serve as a member at that session, the election shall not be ordered within that time limit, but may be held at any later date within that calendar year, if that year is the first year of the biennial period for which a general assembly has been chosen. And, provided further, the election to fill the vacancy shall be held on a Tuesday that falls between the seventieth and ninetieth day of the vacancy. If the vacancy occurs after the first Monday in February in the second year of the biennial period for which a general assembly was chosen, no warrant shall be issued for a special election to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy occurs or exists at any other time when the general assembly is not in session, the secretary of state shall cause to be issued a warrant for an election to be held to fill the vacancy.

(b) Every person elected pursuant to the provisions of this section shall hold his or her office for the remainder of the term that person is elected to fill, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Legislative History

P.L. 1905, ch. 1230, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 15, § 6; P.L. 1921, ch. 2092, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 14, § 6; P.L. 1930, ch. 1530, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 321, § 5; P.L. 1954, ch. 3313, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-2-6; G.L. 1956, § 17-3-6; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 116, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 194, § 1; 1991, ch. 277, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 182, § 2; P.L. 2018, ch. 279, § 2.