Chafee signs ‘master lever’ legislation

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee was joined this month by several key legislators during a signing ceremony at the Statehouse of legislation to eliminate the “master lever,” or straight-party voting option, on all nonprimary Rhode Island elections that will be held after Jan. 1, 2015.
The law also includes a requirement for a Training and Community Outreach program. It requires the secretary of state to conduct training and consultations with the R.I. Board of Elections and local boards of canvassers. It also requires the secretary of state to conduct community-outreach programs throughout the state, including the distribution of materials to state and local libraries.
Rhode Island had been one of only 14 states, and the only New England state, that used the “master lever,” or straight-party voting, procedure in elections. •

No posts to display