Rhode Island Statutes § 17-14-4 Preparation of nomination papers for candidates - combination of endorsed candidates - furnishing of nomination papers to candidatesVersion dated Oct. 30, 2024

(a) Upon receipt of the declarations referred to in § 17-14-1 , within two (2) business days of the final date for filing endorsements, the secretary of state for statewide candidates and the local board for general assembly and local candidates shall prepare nomination papers for each person who has filed a declaration of candidacy as provided in § 17-14-1 . A minimum of three (3) sets of nomination papers shall be prepared for each candidate whose name appears on nomination papers containing the name of a candidate for general assembly and for local office. Nomination papers for voters from the city of Providence for the offices enumerated in § 17-14-1 shall be furnished by the secretary of state. Nomination papers shall be prepared with the name of the candidate as it appears on the voting list, notwithstanding that the candidate may have signed his or her declaration of candidacy other than as the candidate's name appears on the voting list. Candidates for nomination for different offices endorsed by the appropriate committee on any party shall be combined on the same nomination papers. The names of candidates for different offices not endorsed by the appropriate committee of any party shall not be combined on the same nomination papers. Nomination papers for candidates for general assembly shall be furnished by the local board of the general assembly candidate. Nomination papers shall be furnished to the local boards by the secretary of state and each shall bear the imprint of the state coat of arms and any additional language required by law. Nomination papers shall be appropriately marked or color coded to indicate the different political parties, the endorsed and unendorsed candidates of those parties, and independent candidates.

(b) General assembly and local candidates for nomination may, at their own expense, have nomination papers duplicated. The signatures obtained on the duplicated nomination papers shall be considered valid if, and only if, prior to any signatures being affixed, the duplicated nomination papers have been time stamped by the secretary of state or local board of canvassers which issued the original nomination papers.

(c) Nomination papers furnished by the secretary of state shall be personally issued to the candidate, or in the case of combined nomination papers to one of the candidates, for whom they were prepared, or to an individual presenting written authorization from the candidate, or one of the candidates appearing on them, to receive the nomination papers.