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HB 7668

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RESIDENCE OF INDIVIDUALS IN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

HB 7668 clarifies voting residency rules for Rhode Islanders in government custody, determining whether they vote where institutionalized or at prior addresses.

03/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7668

Legislative bill overview

HB 7668 addresses how individuals in government custody (such as incarcerated persons or those in institutional care) establish legal residence for voting purposes. The bill clarifies residency rules to determine where these individuals can register to vote and cast ballots, affecting their electoral participation rights.

Why is this important

Approximately 60,000+ Rhode Islanders are in correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, or other state custody at any given time. Current residency rules can effectively disenfranchise these populations or concentrate their voting power in districts where institutions are located rather than where they have community ties, raising questions about fair representation.

Potential points of contention

  • Voting rights for incarcerated persons: Disagreement over whether individuals convicted of felonies should retain voting rights and, if so, whether they should vote where imprisoned or where they previously resided
  • Institutional concentration effects: Concern that allowing votes at institution locations gives outsized influence to districts with large prisons/facilities versus rural/less populated areas
  • Implementation complexity: Determining how to verify pre-custody residence, update registration systems, and prevent double-voting across jurisdictions

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

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