S2780 amends Rhode Island’s mail ballot laws to require that mail ballot drop boxes be accessible to the public starting 35 days prior to state and federal elections, and 20 days prior to special elections. Additionally, this legislation mandates that drop boxes be placed in every town or city, with locations determined by local boards of canvassers, and establishes procedures for the collection, storage, and transportation of ballots deposited in these boxes.
The Rhode Island House passed S2780 on June 12, 2024 by a vote of 59 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the use of mail ballots and drop boxes compromises election integrity. This legislation increases the risk of electoral fraud and disenfranchisement. States should use paper ballots to ensure free, fair, and secure elections.
