Rhode Island § 17-19-33 - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 17-19-33 — Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-19-33. Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies
R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-19-33
§ 17-19-33. Sealing of voting equipment — Sealing and forwarding of results, programmed memory devices and keys.
(a) The copies of the printout tape from the optical-scan precinct-count unit obtained pursuant to § 17-19-32 shall be distributed as follows:
(1) The first copy, which includes the opening of the polling place information, signatures of the warden and clerk, a timed audit trail of certain events occurring with respect to the optical-scan precinct-count system, and the vote totals for each candidate, shall be attached to the return sheet as provided in § 17-19-11 and immediately delivered to the local board of canvassers where it is processed and delivered to the state board of elections through a procedure promulgated by the state board;
(2) A copy shall be made available to the public at the polling place;
(3) A copy shall be immediately delivered to the local board of canvassers attached to the return sheet as provided in § 17-19-11, together with the polling place supplies, including the key to the optical-scan precinct-count unit and other voting equipment and containers; and
(4) A copy shall be included with the voted ballots and packaged pursuant to this chapter.
(5) The certified paper or electronic voter list containing voters’ signatures shall be secured separately and returned to the local board of canvassers.
(6) All completed official affidavits, forms, reports, and supplies shall be packaged and delivered to the local board for subsequent delivery to the state board.
(b) The warden shall:
(1) Remove all voted ballots from the compartment of the optical-scan precinct-count unit and package them in the container provided and labeled as voted ballots and stored pursuant to § 17-19-39.1;
(2) [Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.]
(3) Package all ballots from the emergency bin that have not been counted in the container provided and labeled as manual-count ballots and deliver to the local canvassing authority. Any ballots packaged and labeled as manual-count ballots shall remain sealed and delivered to the state board through a procedure promulgated by the state board.
(c) All ballots so packaged shall be immediately delivered to the local canvassing authority.
(d) [Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1935, ch. 2195, § 18; P.L. 1938, ch. 2640, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 318, § 14; P.L.
1940, ch. 818, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1525, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 17-19-29; G.L. 1956, §
17-19-33; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 277, § 12; P.L. 1996, ch. 298, §
12; P.L. 2004, ch. 128, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 494, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 192, § 1; P.L.
2006, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 174, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch.
451, § 9.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 17-19-33
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 17-19-33 cover?
Section 17-19-33 ("Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 17-19-33?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 17-19-33" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 17-19-33 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.