Rhode Island extends post-election recount request window to nine days and delays election certificates

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES (Increases from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.)

Last action · June 10, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Jennifer Boylan and 6 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Does

Rhode Island extends the deadline for requesting an election vote from seven days to nine days, and prohibits the issuance of any election certificates until any requested recount is finished.

Why it matters

Extends the legal timeline for candidates and campaigns to challenge election outcomes through s, while temporarily withholding official victory certificates.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

candidates

Candidates have a longer window to request a vote recount and experience a delayed issuance of election certificates until any recount finishes.

Directly affected

board of elections

The board of elections must process recount requests submitted within the expanded nine-day timeframe and withhold election certificates during active recounts.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do candidates now have to request an election recount?

Candidates now have nine days to request a of the votes cast, an increase from the previous seven-day period.

When can election certificates be issued if a recount is requested?

No certificates of election may be issued until the is fully completed.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions

Jun 10, 2026Enrolled
Signed by Governor
Jun 4, 2026
Transmitted to Governor
Jun 4, 2026Floor
Senate passed in concurrence
Jun 3, 2026
Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/04/2026)
May 28, 2026Floor
Committee recommends passage in concurrence
May 26, 2026
Scheduled for consideration (05/28/2026)

Show 8 earlier actions

May 26, 2026Committee
Referred to Senate Judiciary
May 12, 2026Floor
House read and passed
May 1, 2026
Placed on House Calendar (05/12/2026)
Apr 30, 2026Floor
Committee recommends passage
Apr 24, 2026
Scheduled for consideration (04/30/2026)
Mar 26, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Mar 20, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/26/2026)
Feb 12, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →