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HB 7784

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- FEDERAL ELECTIVE OFFICERS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Newberry

Rhode Island would shift from a statewide winner-take-all to a four-group system, awarding one electoral vote per group based on group-level winners.

04/30/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7784

Summary of HB 7784 (2026) — Rhode Island

Purpose and intent

  • The bill proposes a change to how Rhode Island’s presidential electors are selected for the Electoral College.
  • It would replace the current statewide plurality method with a group-based system that awards one electoral vote per group, based on the winner of each group.

Key provisions and changes

  • Current framework (existing law): Rhode Island currently elects presidential electors via statewide plurality of votes, with electors chosen at town/ward/district meetings on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November every four years (starting in 1960).
  • New framework under HB 7784:
    • The state would be divided into four groups of municipalities, each group having approximately equal population.
    • Each group corresponds to one of Rhode Island’s electoral votes (the number of groups matches Rhode Island’s total electoral votes as determined through redistricting; Rhode Island currently has 4 electoral votes, hence four groups).
    • In a presidential election, the voters within each group vote, and the winner of that group is awarded one electoral vote.
    • The group winners’ votes collectively determine the state’s total electoral votes, with one electoral vote allocated per group win.
    • The method relies on the redistricting process to define the four groups.

Who/what is affected

  • Voters: Rhode Island residents participate within their respective municipal groupings to determine which candidate wins the group’s electoral vote.
  • Electoral process: The allocation of Rhode Island’s 4 electoral votes would shift from a single statewide winner-take-all (under current practice) to a four-group winner-take-one-per-group system.
  • State election administration: Election officials would implement the grouping scheme and tally votes by group rather than statewide.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage.
  • Legislative timeline:
    • Introduced February 12, 2026.
    • Referred to the House Committee on State Government & Elections.
    • Committee actions show it was scheduled for hearing in March and April 2026, with a recommendation to hold for further study as of April 30, 2026.
  • Constitutional/implementation notes: The measure’s success depends on redistricting outcomes to define the four municipality groups. It would require administrative alignment with the redistricting process and potential federal/constitutional considerations similar to other district-based electoral methods.

Summary of potential impact

  • The bill would fundamentally alter Rhode Island’s method for awarding its electoral votes by introducing four equal-population groups, awarding one electoral vote per group to the group winner.
  • This could affect campaign strategy, resource allocation, and voter engagement, as candidates might target groups more than the entire state.
  • It shifts Rhode Island from a statewide popular-vote determinant to a group-based allocation, potentially changing the predictability and dynamics of election outcomes within the state.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text and accompanying explanation as introduced; further amendments or legislative actions could modify provisions before any passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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