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HB 5382

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jose Batista and 9 co-sponsors

Allows 16- or 17-year-olds to register and vote in local school committee elections in Rhode Island municipalities that opt in, with proper deadlines.

03/18/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5382

Summary — HB 5382 (2025)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS — GENERAL PROVISIONS
Introduced: February 7, 2025 (filed March 14, 2025)
Status: 03/18/2025 — Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Companion bill: SB 710
Effective date: Upon passage

Purpose

To permit municipalities with elected school committees to allow 16‑ and 17‑year‑old residents to register and vote in local school committee elections, subject to existing residency and registration timing requirements.

Key provisions

  • Amends Rhode Island General Laws § 17‑1‑3 (Eligibility to vote).
  • Adds subsection (d) authorizing any city or town that has an elected school committee to adopt (by ordinance, referendum, or other municipal mechanism) a local rule allowing:
    • Citizens age 16 or older to register to vote specifically for school committee elections.
    • If registered at least 30 days before a school committee election, a 16‑ or 17‑year‑old is entitled to vote in that municipal school committee election.
  • Retains existing statewide provisions:
    • Standard eligibility for regular elections remains tied to being at least 18, residency in the state and municipality for 30 days, and registration 30 days before the election.
    • The bill does not change eligibility for primary, general, or other non‑school elections (except existing limited provisions for presidential ballots noted elsewhere in statute).

Who is affected

  • 16‑ and 17‑year‑old residents of Rhode Island cities/towns that choose to opt in would gain the ability to register and vote in local school committee elections.
  • Municipal governments with elected school committees would need to adopt a local mechanism (ordinance, referendum, etc.) to implement the change and to update voter registration procedures and election administration.
  • Municipal boards of canvassers/elections officials would need to verify age and registration deadlines for school committee contests.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced in the House and referred to House State Government & Elections; later scheduled for hearing and referred to Intergovernmental Affairs.
  • On 03/18/2025 the committee recommended the measure be held for further study (no passage).
  • If enacted, the act would take effect upon passage.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Could increase youth civic engagement and turnout in school board races where localities opt in.
  • Implementation will require local legislative action in each municipality, updates to registration forms, training for election staff, and voter outreach targeted at younger residents.
  • The change is limited to municipalities with elected school committees; towns with appointed committees are unaffected.

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

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