§ 17-7-5. Powers and duties — Quorum.
(a) The state board shall have those functions, powers, and duties that are prescribed
by this title or otherwise pursuant to law. In the exercise of these functions, powers,
and duties, but without limitation to them, the board shall:
(1) Exercise general supervision of the administration of the election law by local boards;
(2) Furnish all binders, forms, cabinets, and other supplies required for the operation
of the system of permanent registration of voters throughout the state, as provided
by this title;
(3) Require the correction of voting lists by any local board whenever the state board
has information or cause to believe that any error exists in the lists and shall immediately
notify the secretary of state of any corrections;
(4) Prepare, package, and deliver election supplies to the various cities and towns for
each voting district, except for supplies listed in this title for delivery by the
office of the secretary of state;
(5)(i) Appoint, qualify, and assign all state inspectors of elections. The state board of
elections shall formulate programs of instruction and shall determine the method and
manner of instruction that shall be provided to the local boards and to the vendor
providing training pursuant to any agreement between the state and the vendor for
the training of election officials. The program of instruction shall include familiarization
with the election laws and duties of various election officials, together with the
exercise of sample situations that may be encountered in the process of voting; geographical
boundaries of the voting district to which the official may be assigned; offices and
questions that may be on the ballot; and any other information that the board of elections
may deem appropriate. The availability of these programs of instruction for local
boards shall be pursuant to the procedures, rules, and regulations adopted by the
board of elections.
(ii) The board of elections shall also formulate and provide an informational pamphlet
containing detailed instructions regarding the duties of elections officials and the
operation of polling places. All informational pamphlets shall be distributed to the
local boards that shall, in turn, see to their distribution to all election officials
prior to any election.
(6) Canvass and tabulate all votes cast at each state election and count, canvass, and
tabulate the votes cast by mail voters as provided in this title;
(7) Select dates for off-year and special election primaries, except the dates for any
primaries for local elections that require fixing by the local board pursuant to chapter
15 of this title;
(8) Furnish each elected candidate for all state or national offices a certificate of
election;
(9) Furnish the secretary of state with a certified statement of the number of votes cast
in each voting district for all state and national candidates, the votes cast for
and against all state questions that appeared on the ballot, and a certificate of
election for each national candidate who is elected in this state, and furnish the
governor with a certified list of the general officers elected at each general election;
(10) Hold hearings relating to recounts or other protests of the results or conduct of
an election;
(11) Maintain any books and records of the votes cast and publish any statements and reports
that it may deem to be in the public interest;
(12) Arrange and make provisions for the registration of voters pursuant to the National
Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, 52 U.S.C. § 20501 et seq. The state board shall formulate programs to assist those persons or organizations
desiring to register voters and shall provide, pursuant to procedures, rules, and
regulations it shall adopt, voter registrations services that may include training
sessions, registration materials, manuals, and other services for the purpose of registering
to vote eligible Rhode Island citizens;
(13) Annually conduct a voter registration drive at each institution of higher education
at the level of junior college or above in the state; and
(14) Establish and maintain an administrative complaint procedure in accordance with Section
402 of the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252) [52 U.S.C. § 21112].
(b) The state board shall also have all of the powers and duties formerly conferred or
imposed by existing law upon the division of elections and the election board, and
whenever in any other general law, public law, act, or resolution of the general assembly,
or any document, record, or proceeding authorized by the general assembly, the phrase
"division of elections� or "election board� or any other word or words used in reference
to or descriptive of the division, board, or any member or employee of the division
or board, or to their respective activities or appointees, or any of them, the word,
phrase, or reference shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to refer
to and describe the state board, its members, appointees, and activities, as the context
may require.
(c) The state board shall have power to make any rules, regulations, and directives that
it deems necessary to carry out the objects and purposes of this title not inconsistent
with law.
(d) The state board shall also have jurisdiction over all election matters on appeal from
any local board and over any other matters pertinent and necessary to the proper supervision
of the election laws.
(e) Four (4) members of the state board shall constitute a quorum.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 42-35-18(b)(7), all rules and regulations implementing and enforcing the provisions of the Help
America Vote Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252) [52 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq.] shall be promulgated in accordance with the rule-making provisions contained
in §§ 42-35-1 — 42-35-8.