Tom Castillo worked on this one I am not done yet, need to print out and check amendments. CONSTITUTION OF RHODE ISLAND *** CSTART RI 05/03/1843 12/04/1986 *** *** ASTART 9001.0 RI 1843 *** We, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this constitution of government. *** AEND *** *** ASTART 001.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF CERTAIN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND PRINCIPLES In order effectually to secure the religious and political freedom established by our venerated ancestors, and to preserve the same for our posterity, we do declare that the essential and unquestionable rights and principles hereinafter mentioned shall be established, maintained and preserved, and shall be of paramount obligation in all legislative, judicial and executive proceedings. *** SSTART 001.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. In the words of the Father of his Country, we declare, that "the basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and alter their constitutions of government; but that the constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all." *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC 2. All free governments are instituted for the protection, safety and happiness of the people. All laws, therefore, should be made for the good of the whole; and the burdens of the state ought to be fairly distributed among its citizens. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; and all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness; and whereas a principal object of our venerable ancestors, in their migration to this country and their settlement of this state, was, as they expressed it, to hold forth a lively experiment, that a flourishing civil state may stand and be best maintained with full liberty in religious concernments; we, therefore, declare that no man shall be compelled to frequent or to support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatever, except in fulfillment of his own voluntary contract; nor enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods; nor disqualified from holding any office; nor otherwise suffer on account of his religious belief; and that every man shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and by argument to maintain his opinion in matters of religion and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect his civil capacity. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. Slavery will not be permitted in this state. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 5. Every person within this state ought to find a certain remedy, by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries or wrongs which he may receive in his person, property, or character. He ought to obtain right and justice freely and without purchase, completely and without denial; promptly and without delay; conformably to the laws. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 6. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, papers and possessions, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue, but on complaint in writing, upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation and describing as nearly as may be, the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 7. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime, unless on presentment or indictment by a grand jury, except in cases of impeachment, or of such offences as are cognizable by a justice of the peace; or in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger. No person shall, after an acquittal, be tried for the same offence. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 8. Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted; and all punishments ought to be proportioned to the offence. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 9. All persons imprisoned ought to be bailed by sufficient surety, unless for offences punishable by death or by imprisonment for life, when the proof of guilt is evident or the presumption great. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety shall require it; nor ever without the authority of the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 10. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining them in his favor, to have the assistance of counsel in his defence, and shall be at liberty to speak for himself; nor shall he be deprived of life, liberty, or property, unless by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 11. The person of a debtor. when there is not strong presumption of fraud, ought not to be continued in prison, after he shall have delivered up his property, for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 12. No ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall be passed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 13 . No man. in a court of common law shall be compelled to give evidence criminating himself. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 14. Every man being presumed innocent, until he is pronounced guilty by the law, no act of severity which is not necessary to secure in accused person shall be permitted. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 15. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 16. Private property shall not be taken for public uses, without just compensation. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 17. The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this state. But no new right is intended to be granted, nor any existing right impaired by this declaration. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 18. The military shall be held in strict subordination to the civil authority. And the law martial shall be used and exercised in such cases only as occasion shall necessarily require. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 019.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 19. No soldier shall be quartered in any house, in time of peace, without the consent of the owner; nor, in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 020.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 20. The liberty of the press being essential to the security of freedom in a state, any person may publish his sentiments on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty: and in all trials for libel, both civil and criminal, the truth. unless published from malicious motives, shall be sufficient defence to the person charged. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 021.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 21. The citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner to assemble for their common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances, or for other purposes, by petition, address, or remonstrance. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 022.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 22. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 023.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 23. The enumeration of the foregoing rights shall not be Construed to impair or deny others retained by the people. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 002.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE II OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS *** SSTART 001.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. Every male citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years, who has had his residence and home in this state for one year, and in the town or city in which he may claim a right to vote, six months next preceding the time of voting, and who is really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town or city of the value of one hundred and thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollars per annum over and above any rent, reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon. being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder which, qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days, shall thereafter have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legal town or ward meetings so long as he continues so qualified. And if any person hereinbefore described shall own any such estate within this state out of the town or city in which he resides, he shall have a right to vote in the election of all general officers and members of the general assembly in the town or city in which he shall have had his residence and home for the term of six months next preceding the election, upon producing a certificate from the clerk of the town or city in which his estate lies, bearing date within ten days of the time of his voting, setting forth that such person has a sufficient estate therein to qualify him as a voter; and that the deed, if any, has been recorded ninety days. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. Every male native citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years, who has had his residence and home in this state two years, and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote, six months next preceding the time of voting, whose name is registered pursuant to the act calling the convention to frame this constitution, or shall be registered in the office of the clerk of such town or city at least seven days before the time he shall offer to vote, and before the last day of December in the present year; and who has paid or shall pay a tax or taxes assessed upon his estate within this state, and within a year of the time of voting, to the amount of one dollar, or who shall voluntarily pay, at least seven days before the time he shall offer to vote, and before said last day of December, to the clerk or treasurer of the town or city where he resides, the sum of one dollar, or such sum as with his other taxes shall amount to one dollar, for the support of public schools therein, and shall make proof of the same; by the certificate of the clerk, treasurer, or collector of any town or city where such payment is made: or who, being so registered, has been enrolled in any military company in this state, and done military service or duty therein, within the present year, pursuant to law, and shall (until other proof is required by law) prove by the certificate of the officer legally commanding the regiment, or chartered, or legally authorized volunteer company in which he may have served or done duty, that he has been equipped and done duty according to law, or by the certificate of the commissioners upon military claims, that he has performed military service, shall have a right. to vote in the election of all civil officers, and on all questions in all legally organized town or ward meetings, until the end of the first year after the adoption of this constitution, or until the end of the year eighteen hundred and forty-three. From and after that time, every such citizen who has had the residence herein required, and whose name shall be registered in the town where he resides, on or before the last day of December, in the year next preceding the time of his voting, and who shall show by legal proof. that he has for and within the year next preceding the time he shall offer to vote, paid a tax or taxes assessed against him in any town or city in this state, to the amount of one dollar, or that he has been enrolled in a military company in this state, been equipped and done duty therein according to law, and at least for one day during such year, shall have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers. and on all questions, in all legally organized town or ward meetings: Provided, that no person shall at any time be allowed to vote in the election of the city council of the city of Providence, or upon any proposition to impose a tax, or for the expenditure of money in any town or city, unless he shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his property therein, valued at least at one hundred and thirty-four dollars. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. The assessors of each town or city shall annually assess upon every person whose name shall be registered a tax of one dollar, or such sum as with his other taxes shall amount to one dollar, which registry tax shall be paid into the treasury of such town or city, and be applied to the support of public schools therein; but no compulsory process shall issue for the collection of any registry tax: Provided, that the registry tax of every person who has performed military duty according to the provisions of the preceding section shall be remitted for the year he shall perform such duty; and the registry tax assessed upon any mariner, for any year while he is at sea, shall, upon his application, be remitted; and no person shall be allowed to vote whose registry tax for either of the two years next preceding the time of voting is not paid or remitted as herein provided. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. No person in the military, naval, marine, or any other service of the United States shall be considered as having the required residence by reason of being employed in any garrison, barrack, or military or naval station in this state: and no pauper, lunatic, person non compos mentis, person under guardianship, or member of the Narragansett tribe of Indians, shall be permitted to be registered or to vote. Nor shall any person convicted of bribery, or of any crime deemed infamous at common law, be permitted to exercise that privilege, until he be expressly restored thereto by act of the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 5. Persons residing on lands ceded by this state to the United States shall not be entitled to exercise the privilege of electors. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 6. The general assembly shall have full power to provide for a registry of voters, to prescribe the manner of conducting the elections, the form of certificates, the nature of the evidence to be required in case of a dispute as to the right of any person to vote, and generally to enact all laws necessary to carry this article into effect, and to prevent, abuse, corruption and fraud in voting. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 003.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE III OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS The powers of the government shall be distributed into three departments: the legislative, executive, and judicial. *** AEND *** *** ASTART 004.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE IV OF THE LEGISLATIVE POWER *** SSTART 001.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. This constitution shall be the supreme law of the state, and any law inconsistent therewith shall be void. The general assembly shall pass all laws necessary to carry this constitution into effect. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. The legislative power, under this constitution, shall be vested in two houses, the one to be called the senate, the other the house of representatives; and both together the general assembly The concurrence of the two houses shall be necessary to the enactment of laws. The style of their laws shall be, It is enacted by the general assembly as follows: *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. There shall be two sessions of the general assembly holden annually: one at Newport, on the first Tuesday of May, for the purposes of election and other business; the other on the last Monday of October, which last session shall be holden at South Kingstown once in two years, and the intermediate years alternately at Bristol and East Greenwich; and an adjournment from the October session shall beholden annually at Providence. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. No member of the general assembly shall take any fee, or be of counsel in any case pending before either house of the general assembly, under penalty of his seat, upon proof thereof to the satisfaction of the house he is a member. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 5. The person of every member of the general assembly shall be exempt from arrest, and his estate from attachment in any civil action, during the session of the general assembly, and two days before the commencement and two days after the termination thereof, and all process served contrary hereto shall be void. For any speech in debate in either house, no member shall be questioned in any other place. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 6. Each house shall be the judge of the elections and qualifications of its members; and a majority shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner, and under such penalties, as may be prescribed by such house or by law. The organization of the two houses may be regulated by law, subject to the limitations contained in this constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 7. Each house may determine its rules of proceeding, punish contempts, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member; but not a second time for the same cause. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 8. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings. The yeas and nays of the members of either house shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 9. Neither house shall, during a session, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than two days, nor to any other place than that in which they may be sitting. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 10. The general assembly shall continue to exercise the powers they have heretofore exercised, unless prohibited in this constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 11. The senators and representatives shall receive the sum of one dollar for every day of attendance, and eight cents per mile for traveling expenses in going to and coming from the general assembly. The general assembly shall regulate the compensation of the governor, and all other officers, subject to the limitations contained in this constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 12. All lotteries shall hereafter be prohibited in this state, except those already authorized by the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 13. The general assembly shall have no power, hereafter, without the express consent of the people, to incur state debts to an amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars, except in time of war, or in case of insurrection or invasion; nor shall they in any case, without consent, pledge the faith of the state for the payment of the obligations of others. This section shall not be construed to refer to any money that may be deposited with this state by the government of the United States. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 14. The assent of two thirds of the members elected to each house of the general assembly shall be required to every bill appropriating the public money or property for local or private purposes. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 15. The general assembly shall, from time to time, provide for making new valuations of property, for the assessment of taxes, in such manner as they may deem best. A new estimate of such property shall be taken before the first direct state tax, after the adoption of this constitution, shall be assessed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 16. The general assembly may provide by law for the continuance in office of any officers of annual election or appointment, until other persons are qualified to take their places. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 017.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 17. Hereafter, when any bill shall be presented to either house of the general assembly, to create a corporation for any other than for religious, literary, or charitable purposes, or for a military or fire company, it shall be continued until another election of members of the general assembly shall have taken place., and such public notice of the pendency thereof shall be given as may be required by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 18. It shall be the duty of the two houses, upon the request of either, to join in grand committee for the purpose of electing senators in congress, at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed by law for said elections. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 005.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE V OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES *** SSTART 001.0 005.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. The house of representatives shall never exceed seventy-two members, and shall be constituted on the basis of population, always allowing one representative for a fraction exceeding half the ratio; but each town or city shall always be entitled to at least one member; and no town or city shall have more than one sixth of the whole number of members to which the house is hereby limited. The present ratio shall be one representative to every fifteen hundred and thirty inhabitants, and the general assembly may, after any new census taken by the authority of the United States or of this state, reapportion the representation by altering the ratio; but no town or city shall be divided into districts for the choice of representatives. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 005.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. The house of representatives shall have authority to elect its speaker, clerks and other officers. The senior member from the town of Newport, if any be present, shall preside in the organization of the house. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 006.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE VI OF THE SENATE *** SSTART 001.0 006.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. The senate shall consist of the lieutenant-governor and of one senator from each town or city in the state. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 006.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. The governor, and in his absence the lieutenant-governor, shall preside in the senate and in grand committee. The presiding officer of the senate and grand committee shall have a right to vote in case of equal division, but not otherwise. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 006.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC .3. If, by reason of death, resignation, absence, or other cause, there be no governor or lieutenant-governor present, to preside in the senate, the senate shall elect one of their own members to preside during such absence or vacancy; and until such election is made by the senate, the secretary of state shall preside. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 006.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. The secretary of state shall, by virtue of his office, be secretary of the senate, unless otherwise provided by law, and the senate may elect such other officers as they may deem necessary. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 007.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE VII OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER *** SSTART 001.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. The chief executive power of this state shall be vested in a governor, who, together with a lieutenant-governor, shall be annually elected by the people. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. The governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. He shall be captain-general and commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of this state, except when they shall be called into the service of the United States. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. He shall have power to grant reprieves after conviction, in all cases except those of impeachment, until the end of the next session of the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 5. He may fill vacancies of office not otherwise provided for by this constitution or by law, until the same shall be filled by the general assembly, or by the people. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 6. In case of disagreement between the two houses of the general assembly, respecting the time or place of adjournment, certified to him by either, he may adjourn them to such time and place as he shall think proper: Provided, that the time of adjournment shall not be extended beyond the day of the next stated session. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 7. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the general assembly at any town or city in this state, at any time not provided for by law; and in case of danger from the prevalence of epidemic or contagious disease, in the place in which the general assembly' are by law to meet, or to which they may have been adjourned, or for other urgent reasons, he may by proclamation convene said assembly at any other place within this state. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 8. All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor and attested by the secretary. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 9. In case of vacancy in the office of governor, or of his inability to serve, impeachment, or absence from the state, the lieutenant-governor shall fill the office of governor, and exercise the powers and authority appertaining thereto, until a governor is qualified to act or until the office is filled at the next annual election. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 10. If the offices of governor and lieutenant-governor be both vacant, by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, absence, or otherwise, the person entitled to preside over the senate for the time being shall in like manner fill the office of governor during such absence or vacancy. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 11. The compensation of the governor and lieutenant-governor shall be established by law, and shall not be diminished during the term for which they are elected. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 12. The duties and powers of the secretary, attorney-general, and general treasurer, shall be the same under this constitution as are now established, or as from time to time may be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 008.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE VIII OF ELECTIONS *** SSTART 001.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. The governor, lieutenant-governor, senators, representatives, secretary of state, attorney-general and general treasurer, shall be elected at the town, city, or ward meetings, to be holden on the first Wednesday of April, annually; and shall severally hold their offices for one year, from the first Tuesday of May next succeeding, and until others are legally chosen, and duly qualified to fill their places. If elected or qualified after the said first Tuesday of May, they shall hold their offices for the remainder of the political year, and until their successors are qualified to act. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. The voting for governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, attorney-general, general treasurer and representative to congress, shall be by ballot; senators and representatives to the general assembly, and town or city officers, shall be chosen by ballot, upon demand of any seven persons entitled to vote for the same; and in all cases where an election is made by ballot or paper vote, the manner of balloting shall be the same as is now required in voting for general officers, until otherwise prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. The names of the persons voted for as governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, attorney-general and general treasurer shall be placed upon one ticket; and all votes for these officers shall, in open town or ward meetings, be sealed up by the moderators and town clerks and by the warden and ward clerks, who shall certify the same and deliver or send them to the secretary of state; whose duty it shall be securely to keep and deliver the same to the grand com- mittee, after the organization of the two houses at the annual May session; and it shall be the duty of the two houses at said session, after their organization, upon the request of either house, to join in grand committee, for the purpose of counting and declaring said votes, and of electing other officers. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. The town and ward clerks shall also keep a correct list or register of all persons voting for general officers, and shall transmit a copy thereof to the general assembly, on or before the first day of said May session. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 5. The ballots for senators and representatives in the several towns shall, in each case, after the polls are declared to be closed, be counted by the moderator, who shall announce the result and the clerk shall give certificates to the persons elected. If, in any case, there be no election, the polls may be reopened, and the like proceedings shall be had until an election shall take place: Provided, however, that an adjournment or adjournments of the election may be made to a time not exceeding seven days from the first meeting. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 6. In the city of Providence, the polls for senator and representatives shall be kept open during the whole time of voting for the day, and the votes in the several wards shall be sealed up at the close of the meeting by the wardens and ward clerks in Open ward meeting, and afterwards delivered to the city clerk. The mayor and aldermen shall proceed to count said votes within two days from the day of election; and if no election of senator and representatives, or if an election of only a portion of the representatives shall have taken place, the mayor and aldermen shall order a new election, to be held not more than ten days from the day of the first election and so on until the election shall be completed. Certificates of election shall be furnished by the city clerk to the persons chosen. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 7. If no person shall have a majority of votes for governor, it, shall be the duty of the grand committee to elect one by ballot from the two persons having the highest number of votes for the office. except when such a result is produced by rejecting the entire vote of any town, city, or ward, for informality or illegality, in which case a new election by the electors throughout the state shall be ordered; and in case no person shall have a majority of votes for lieutenant- governor, it shall be the duty of the grand committee to elect one by ballot from the two persons having the highest number of votes for the office. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 8. In case an election of the secretary of state, attorney-general, or general treasurer, should fail to be made by the electors at the annual election, the vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by the general assembly in grand committee, from the two candidates for such office having the greatest number of the votes of the electors. Or, in case of a vacancy in either of said offices from other causes, between the sessions of the general assembly, the governor shall appoint some person to fill the same until a successor elected by the general assembly is qualified to act; and in such case, and also in all other cases of vacancies not otherwise provided for, the general assembly may fill the same in any manner they may deem proper. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 9. Vacancies from any cause in the senate or house of representatives may be filled by a new election. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 10. In all elections held by the people under this constitution, a majority of all the electors voting shall be necessary to the election of the persons voted for. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 009.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE IX OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE *** SSTART 001.0 009.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. No person shall be eligible to any civil office, (except the office of school committee,) unless he be a qualified elector for such office. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 009.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. Every person shall be disqualified from holding any office to which he may have been elected, if he be convicted of having offered, or procured any other person to offer, any bribe to secure his election, or the election of any other person. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 009.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. All general officers shall take the following engagement before they act in their respective offices, to wit: You ____ being by the free vote of the electors of this State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, elected unto the place of ______do solemnly swear (or affirm) to be true and faithful unto this state, and to support the constitution of this state and of the United States; that you will. faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties of your aforesaid office to the best of your abilities, according to law: So help you God. Or, this affirmation you make and give upon the peril of the penalty of perjury. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 009.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. The members of the general assembly, the judges of all the courts, and all other officers; both civil and military, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this constitution and the constitution of the United States. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 009.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 5. The oath or affirmation shall be administered to the governor, lieutenant-governor, senators and representatives, by the secretary of state, or, in his absence, by the attorney-general. The secretary of state, attorney-general, and general treasurer shall be engaged by the governor, or by a justice of the supreme court. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 009.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 6. No person holding any office under the government of the United States, or of any other state or country, shall act as a general officer, or as a member of the general assembly, unless at the time of taking his engagement he shall have resigned his office under such government; and if any general officer, senator, representative or election and engagement, accept any appointment under any other government, his office under this shall be immediately vacated; but this restriction shall not apply to any person appointed to take depositions or acknowledgment of deeds, or other legal instruments, by the authority of any other state or country. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 010.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE X OF THE JUDICIAL POWER *** SSTART 001.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. The judicial power of this state shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. The several courts shall have such jurisdiction as may from time to time be prescribed by law. Chancery powers may be conferred on the supreme court, but on no other court to any greater extent, than is now provided by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. The judges of the supreme court shall, in all trials, instruct the jury in the law. They shall also give their written opinion upon any question of law whenever requested by the governor, or by either house of the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. The judges of the supreme court shall be elected by the two houses in grand committee. Each judge shall hold his office until his place be declared vacant by a resolution of the general assembly to that effect, which resolution shall be voted for by a majority of all the members elected to the house in which it may originate, and be concurred in by the same majority of the other house. such resolution shall not be entertained at any other than the annual session for the election of public officers; and in default of the passage thereof at said session, the judge shall hold his place as is herein provided. But a judge of any court shall he removed front office if, upon impeachment he shall be found guilty of any official misdemeanor. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 5. In case of vacancy by death, resignation, removal from the state or from office, refusal or inability to serve of any judge of the supreme court, the office may be filled by the grand committee, until the next annual election, and the judge then elected shall hold his office as before provided. In cases of impeachment or temporary absence, or inability, the governor may appoint a person to discharge the duties of the office during the vacancy caused thereby. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 6. The judges of the supreme court shall receive a compensation for their services, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 7. The towns of New Shoreham and Jamestown may continue to elect their wardons as heretofore. The other towns and the city of Providence may elect such number of justices of the peace, resident therein, as they may deem proper. The jurisdiction of said justices and wardens shall be regulated by law. The justices shall be commissioned by the governor. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 011.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE XI OF IMPEACHMENTS *** SSTART 001.0 011.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. The house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment. A vote of two thirds of all the members elected shall be required for an impeachment of the governor. Any officer impeached shall thereby be suspended from office, until judgment in the case shall have been pronounced. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 011.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. All impeachments shall be tried by the senate; and when sitting for that purpose, they shall be under oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted except by vote of two thirds of the members elected. When the governor is impeached, the chief or presiding justice of the supreme court, for the time being, shall preside, with a casting vote in all preliminary questions. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 011.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. The governor and all other executive and judicial officers shall be liable to impeachment; but judgment in such cases shall not extend further than to removal from office. The person convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable to indictment, trial, and punishment, according to law. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 012.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE XII. OF EDUCATION *** SSTART 001.0 012.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. The diffusion of knowledge, as well as of virtue, among the people, being essential to the preservation of their rights and liberties, it shall be the duty of the general assembly to promote public schools, and to adopt all means which they may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 012.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. The money which now is or which may hereafter be appropriated by law for the establishment of a permanent fund for the support of public schools, shall be securely invested, and remain a perpetual fund for that purpose. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 012.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 3. All donations for the support of public schools, or for other purposes of education which may be received by the general assembly, shall be applied according to the terms prescribed by the donors. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 012.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. The general assembly shall make all necessary provisions by law for carrying this article into effect, they shall not divert said money or fund from the aforesaid uses, nor borrow, appropriate, or use the same, or any part thereof for any other purpose under any pretense whatsoever. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 013.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE XIII OF AMENDMENTS The general assembly may propose amendments to this constitution by the votes of a majority of all the members elected to each house. Such propositions for amendment shall be published in the newspapers, and printed copes of them shall be sent by the secretary of state, with the names of all the members who shall have voted thereon with the yeas and nays, to all the town and city clerks in the state. The said propositions shall be, by said clerks, inserted in the warrants or notices by them issued, for warning the next annual town and ward meetings in April; and the clerks shall read said propositions to the electors when thus assembled, with the names of all the representatives and senators who shall have voted thereon, with the yeas and nays, before the election of senators and representatives shall be had. If a majority of all the members elected to each house at said annual meeting, shall approve any proposition thus made, the same shall be published and submitted to the electors the mode provided in the act of approval; and if then approved by three fifths of the electors of the state present and voting thereon in town and ward meetings, it shall become a part of the constitution of the state. *** AEND *** *** ASTART 014.0 RI 1843 *** ARTICLE XIV OF THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION *** SSTART 001.0 014.0 0 RI 1843 *** SECTION 1. This constitution, if adopted, shall go into operation on the first Tuesday of May, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty -three. The first election of governor, lieutenant- governor, secretary of state, attorney-general and general treasurer, and of senators and representatives under said constitution, shall be had on the first Wednesday of April next preceding, by the electors qualified under said constitution. And the town and ward meetings therefor shall be warned and conducted as is now provided by law. All civil and military officers now elected, or who shall hereafter be elected, by the general assembly, or other competent authority before the said first Wednesday of April, shall hold their offices and may exercise their powers until the said first Tuesday of May, or until their successors shall be qualified to act. All statutes, public and private, not repugnant to this constitution, shall continue in force until they expire by their own limitation, or are repealed by the general assembly . All charters, contracts judgments, actions and rights of action shall be as valid as if this constitution had not been made. The present government shall exercise all the powers with which it is now clothed, until the said first Tuesday of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-three, and until the government under this constitution is duly organized. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 014.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 2. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the state as if this constitution had not been adopted. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 014.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC .3. The supreme court, established by this constitution, shall have the same jurisdiction as the supreme judicial court at present established, and shall have jurisdiction of all causes which may be appealed to, or pending in the same; and shall be held at the same times and places, and in each county, as the present supreme judicial court , until otherwise prescribed by the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 014.0 0 RI 1843 *** SEC. 4. The towns of New Shoreham and Jamestown shall continue to enjoy the exemptions from military duty which they now enjoy, until otherwise prescribed by law. Done in convention, at East Greenwich, this fifth day of November, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and forty-two. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 9016.0 RI 1843 *** JAMES FENNER, President. HENRY Y. CRANSTON, Vice-Pres't. THOMAS A. JENCKES, WALTER W. UPDIKE, Secretaries *** AEND *** ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT *** MSTART 001 004.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1854 *** AMENDMENT 1 ARTICLE 1 Section 4. It shall not be necessary for the town or ward clerks to keep and transmit to the general assembly a list or register of all persons voting for general officers; but the general assembly shall have power to pass such laws on the subject as they may deem expedient. [November, 1854; Article 8, Section 4] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 002 013.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 1854 *** AMENDMENT 2 ARTICLE 2 Section 13. The governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall hereafter exclusively exercise the pardoning power, except in cases of impeachment, to the same extent as such power is now exercised by the general assembly. [November, 1854; Article 7; this amendment creates Section 13 in Article 7] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 003 003.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 1854 *** AMENDMENT 3 ARTICLE 3 Section 3. There shall be one session of the general assembly, holden annually, commencing on the last Tuesday in May, at Newport, and an adjournment from the same shall be holden annually at Providence. [November, 1854; Article 4, Section 3; annulled by Amendment XII to the 1843 RI Constitution] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 004 001.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1864 *** AMENDMENT 4 ARTICLE 4 Electors in this state who, in time of war, are absent from the state, in the actual military service of the United States , being otherwise qualified, shall have a right to vote in all elections in the state for electors of president and vice-president of the United States, representatives in Congress, and general officers of the state. The general assembly shall have full power to provide by law for carrying this, article into effect; and until such provision shall be made by law, every such absent elector on the day of such elections, may deliver a written or printed ballot, with the names of the persons voted for thereon, and his christian and surname and his voting residence in the state, written at length on the back thereof, to the officer commanding the regiment or company to which he belongs; and all such ballots, certified by such commanding officer to have been given by the elector whose name is written thereon, and returned by such commanding officer to the. secretary of state within the time prescribed by law for counting the votes in such elections, shall be received and counted with the same effect as if given by such elector in open town, ward, or district meeting; and the clerk of each town or city, until otherwise provided by law, shall, within five days after any such election, transmit to the secretary of state a certified list of the names of all such electors on their respective voting lists. [August 1864; Annulled November 4, 1930 by Amendment 21 of the Articles of Amendment] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 005 002.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1886 *** AMENDMENT 5 ARTICLE 5 The manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors to be used as a beverage shall be prohibited. The general assembly shall provide by law for carrying this article into effect. [April 7, 1886; Annulled by Amendment IX of the Articles of Amendment, passed June 20, 1892] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 006 003.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1886 *** AMENDMENT 6 ARTICLE 6 All soldiers and sailors of foreign birth, citizens of the United States, who served in the army or navy of the United States from this state in the late civil war, and who were honorably discharged from such service, shall have the right to vote on all questions in all legally organized town, district or ward meetings, upon the same conditions and under and subject to the same restrictions as native born citizens. [April 7, 1886; Made obsolete by Amendment VII of the Articles of Amendment, Section 1] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 007 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1888 *** AMENDMENT 7 SECTION 2. Every male citizen of the United States of the age of twenty-one years who has had his residence and home in this state for two years, and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next preceding the time of his voting, and whose name shall be registered in the town or city where he resides on or before the last day of December, in the year next preceding the time. of his voting, shall have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town or ward meetings: Provided, that no person shall at any time be allowed to vote in the election of the city council of any city, or upon any proposition to impose a tax, or for the expenditure of money in any town or city unless he shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his property therein, valued at least at one hundred and thirty-four dollars. [April 4, 1888, Article 2, Section 2] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 008 003.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1888 *** AMENDMENT 8 The assessors of each town and city shall annually assess upon every person who, if registered, would be qualified to vote, a tax of $1, or such sum as with his other taxes shall amount to $1, which tax shall be paid into the treasury of such town or city and be applied to the support of the public schools therein: Provided, that such tax assessed upon any person who has performed military duty shall be remitted for the year he shall perform such duty; and said tax assessed upon any mariner for any year while he is at sea, or upon any person who by reason of extreme poverty is unable to pay said tax, shall upon application of such mariner or person be remitted. The general assembly shall have power to provide by law for the collection and remission of said tax. [April 4, 1888; Article 2, Section 3] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 009 002.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1889 *** AMENDMENT 9 Amendment V of the amendments to the constitution of this state is hereby annulled. [Passed on June 20, 1889, Repeals Amendment 5 of the Articles of Amendment] [This is Wallis Amendment #005] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 010 017.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 1892 *** AMENDMENT 10 SECTION 17. Hereafter the general assembly may provide by general law for the creation and control of corporations: Provided, however that no corporation shall be created with the power to exercise the right of eminent domain, or to acquire franchises in the streets and highways of towns and cities, except by special act of the general assembly upon a petition for the same, the pendency whereof shall be notified as may be required by law. [November 8, 1892; Article 4, Section 17] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 011 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1893 *** AMENDMENT 11 SECTION 10. In all elections held by the people for state, city, town, ward, or district officers, the person or candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected. Part 2. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of section 10 of article VIII, "Of elections," which said section is hereby annulled. [November 28, 1893; Amends Article 8, Section 10] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 012 003.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 12 SECTION 1. There shall be a session of the general assembly at Providence commencing on the first Tuesday of January in each year. The senators and representatives shall severally receive the sum of five dollars, and the speaker of the house of representatives ten dollars, for every day of actual attendance, and eight cents per mile for traveling expenses, in going to and returning from the general assembly: Provided, that no compensation or mileage shall be allowed any senator or representative for more than sixty days allowance in any calendar year. The general assembly shall regulate the compensation of the governor and of all other officers, subject to the limitations contained in the constitution. [November 6, 1900; Article 4, Section 3; This amendment also annuls Amendment III, which had amended Article 4, Section 3] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 013 000.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 13 [Article 8 was replaced by a series of amendments passed in 1900, only Article 8, section 10 was unamended. We have numbered the new amended sections sequentially. That is, section 2 of the Article of Amendment XI in the original Rhode Island 1843 Constitution text, is now numbered Article 8, section 1.] [The original text enabling the amendments read as follows: SEC. 12. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of article VIII, "Of elections;" and of section 11 of article IV, " Of the legislative power;" and of article III of the amendments to the constitution; which said article and sections, and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith, are hereby annulled.] ?? Do Sec 11 Art 4, and amendment III have to be repealed too? *** MEND *** *** MSTART 014 001.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 14 SEC. 1. The governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, attorney-general, general treasurer, and senators and representatives in the general assembly shall be elected at town, ward, and district meetings on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November annually, commencing A. D. 1901, and shall severally hold their offices for one year from the first Tuesday of January next succeeding their election, and until their successors are elected and qualified. [Amended November 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 1. See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 015 002.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 15 When the governor elect shall die, remove from the state, refuse to serve, become insane, or be otherwise incapacitated, the lieutenant-governor elect shall be qualified as governor at the begin- ning of the term for which he was elected. When both the governor and lieutenant -governor elect, or either the lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, attorney-general or general treasurer elect are so incapacitated, or when there has been a failure to elect any one or more of the officers mentioned in this section, the general assembly shall upon its organization meet in grand committee and elect some person or persons, to fill the office or offices, as the case may be, for which such incapacity exists or as to which such failure to elect occurred. When the general assembly shall elect any of said officers because of the failure of any person to receive a plurality of the votes cast, the election in each case shall be made from the persons who received the same and largest number of votes. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 2; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 016 003.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 16 If the offices of governor and lieutenant-governor be both vacant, by reason of death or otherwise, they shall be filled by the general assembly in grand committee, and the acting governor shall, if the general assembly is not then in session, call a special session thereof for that purpose within twenty days after both of said offices become vacant if a stated session is not sooner to occur. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 3; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 017 004.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 17 In case of a vacancy in the office of secretary of state, attorney-general, or general treasurer from any cause, the general assembly in grand committee shall elect some person to fill the. same: Provided, that if such vacancy occurs when the general assembly is not in session the governor shall appoint some person to fill such vacancy until a successor elected by the general assembly is qualified to act. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 4; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 018 005.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 18 When a senator or representative elect shall die, remove from the state, refuse to serve, become insane, or be otherwise incapacitated, or when at an election for any senator or representative no person shall receive a plurality of the votes cast, a new election shall be held. A vacancy in the senate or house of representatives shall be filled at a now election. The general assembly shall provide by general law for the holding of such elections at such times as to insure that each town and city shall be fully represented in the general assembly during the whole of every session thereof so far as is practicable. Every person elected in accordance with this section shall hold his office for the remainder of the term or for the full term, as the case may be, of the office which he is elected to fill, and until his successor is elected and qualified. [Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 5; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 019 006.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 19 In elections by the general assembly in grand committee the person receiving a majority of the votes shall be elected. Every person elected by the general assembly to fill a vacancy, or pursuant to section 3 of this article, shall hold his office for the remainder of the term or for the full term, as the case may be, and until his successor is elected and qualified. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 6; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 020 007.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 20 A quorum of the grand committee shall consist of a majority of all the members of the senate and a majority of all the members of the house of representatives duly assembled pursuant to an invitation from one of said bodies which has been accepted by the other, and the acceptance of which has been communicated by message to the body in which such invitation originated, and each house shall be attended by its secretaries and clerks. No act or business of any kind shall be done in grand committee other than that which is distinctly specified in the invitation by virtue of which such grand committee is assembled, except to take a recess or to dissolve: Provided, that the grand committee may appoint a sub-committee of its own members to count any ballots delivered to it and report the result of such count. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 7; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 021 008.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 21 The governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, attorney-general, general treasurer, and senators and representatives in the general assembly in office when this amendment goes into effect shall continue to hold their offices, with the powers and duties and subject to the limitations prescribed therein for like officers, until the first Tuesday in January, A. D. 1902, and until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies in their number from any cause shall be filled in the manner which is prescribed by law at the time of their occurrence. All officers who by the provisions of this amendment are continued in office beyond the states time for which they were elected or appointed shall receive a pro rata compensation for their increased term of service, based upon the compensation provided for in this amendment or by law. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 8; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 022 009.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 22 The first election of officers named in the next preceding section under this amendment shall be held upon the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, A. D. 1901. The town, ward, and district meetings therefor shall be warned and conducted, and the result thereof determined, authenticated, and declared, in the manner at, that time prescribed by law, and the persons then elected shall hold their offices from the said first Tuesday in January, A. D. 1902, and thereafter until their successors are elected and qualified. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 9; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 023 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1900 *** AMENDMENT 23 The general assembly shall provide by law for the registration necessary to qualify persons to vote at said first election, which registration shall close on the last day of June, A. D. 1901, and after the adoption of this amendment no person of whom registration is or may be required by law shall be permitted to vote unless his name shall have been registered in the town or city where he resides on or before the last day of June next preceding the time of his voting. For all elections by the people held before said Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, A. D. 1901, the qualifications of the electors shall be such as were required by the constitution and laws existing at the time of the adoption of this amendment. [Amended Nov 6, 1900; Article 8, Section 10; See note to Article 8, Section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 024 002.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 1903 *** AMENDMENT 24 The supreme court shall have final revisor and appellate jurisdiction upon all questions of law and equity. It shall have power to issue prerogative writs, and shall also have such other Juris- diction as may, from time to time, be prescribed by law. A majority of its judges shall always be necessary to constitute a quorum. The inferior courts shall have such jurisdiction as may, from time to time, be prescribed by law. The general assembly shall provide by law for carrying this amendment into effect, and until such, provision shall be made, the supreme court, as organized at the time of the adoption of this amendment, shall continue to have and exercise the same powers and jurisdictions which it shall then have under such organization. [Adopted Nov 6, 1903; Article 10, Section 2] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 025 003.0 010.0 0 RI 1843 1903 *** AMENDMENT 25 The judges of the supreme court shall give their written opinion upon any question of law whenever requested by the governor or by either house of the general assembly. The general assembly shall provide by law for carrying this amendment into effect, and until such, provision shall be made, the supreme court, as organized at the time of the adoption of this amendment, shall continue to have and exercise the same powers and jurisdictions which it shall then have under such organization. [Adopted Nov 6, 1903; Article 10, Section 3] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 026 003.0 014.0 0 RI 1843 1903 *** AMENDMENT 26 Section 3 of article XIV of the constitution of the state, entitled "Of the adoption of this constitution," is hereby annulled. The general assembly shall provide by law for carrying this amendment into effect, and until such, provision shall be made, the supreme court, as organized at the time of the adoption of this amendment, shall continue to have and exercise the same powers and jurisdictions which it shall then have under such organization. [Adopted Nov 6, 1903; Article 14, Section 3] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 027 001.0 005.0 0 RI 1843 1909 *** AMENDMENT 27 SECTION 1. The house of representatives shall never exceed one hundred members, and shall be constituted on the basis of population, always allowing one, representative for a fraction exceeding half the ratio; but each town and city shall always be entitled to at least one member; and no town or city shall have more than one-fourth of the whole number of members. The general assembly may, after any new census taken by the authority of the United States or this state, re-apportion the representation in conformity with the foregoing provisions. As soon as this amendment goes into effect, the general assembly shall divide each town and city into as many districts as it is entitled to representatives, and after each census, or as occasion may require, the general assembly may so divide each town and city, and one representative shall be elected from each district by the qualified electors thereof. Such districts shall be as nearly equal in population and as compact in territory as possible. . Sec. 2. This amendment shall take, in the constitution. of the state, the place of Section 1of Article V, "Of the house of representatives," which said section And all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. Adopted Nov 2, 1909; Article 5, Section 1] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 028 002.0 006.0 0 RI 1843 1909 *** AMENDMENT 28 The lieutenant-governor shall preside in the senate and in grand committee. The presiding officer of the senate and gad committee shall have a right to vote in case of equal division, but not otherwise. This amendment shall take, in the constitution of the state, the place of Section 2 of Article VI, "Of the senate," which said sections and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 2, 1909; Article 6, Section 2] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 029 003.0 006.0 0 RI 1843 1909 *** AMENDMENT 29 If, by reason of death, resignation, absence, or other cause, the lieutenant-governor is not present, to preside in the senate, the senate shall elect one of their own members to preside during such absence-or vacancy; and until such election is made by the senate, the secretary of state shall preside. The presiding officer of the senate shall preside in grand committee and in joint assembly. This amendment shall take, in the constitution of the state, the place of Section 3 of Article VI, "Of the senate," which said sections and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 2, 1909; Article 6, Section 3] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 030 005.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1909 *** AMENDMENT 30 Every bill, resolution, or vote (except such as relate to adjournment, the organization or conduct of either or both houses of the general assembly, and resolutions, proposing amendment to the constitution) which shall have passed both houses of the general assembly shall be presented to the governor. If he approve it he shall sign it, and thereupon it shall become - operative, but if he does not approve it he shall return it, accompanied by his objections in writing, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter his objections in full upon its journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, three-fifths of the members present and voting in that house shall vote to pass the measure, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by three-fifths of the members present and voting in that house, it shall become operative in the same manner as if the governor had approved it, but in such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by ayes and nays and the names of the members voting for and against the measure shall be entered upon the journal of each house, respectively. If the measure shall not be returned by the governor within six (6) days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the sine shall become operative unless the general assembly, by adjournment, prevents its return, in which case it shall become operative unless transmitted by the governor to the secretary of state, with his disapproval in writing, within ten days after such adjournment. [Adopted Nov 2, 1909; Adds absent provision from 1843 RI Constitution] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 031 002.0 011.0 0 RI 1843 1911 *** AMENDMENTS 31 The governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, attorney-general, general treasurer, and senators and representatives in the general assembly, shall be sleeted-at town, ward and district meetings on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, biennially, commencing A. D. 1912, and shall severally hold their offices for two years from the first Tuesday of January next succeeding their election and until their successors are elected and qualified. This amendment shall take, in the constitution of the state, the place of section 2 of article XI of articles of amendment to the constitution, which said section, and all other provisions the constitution inconsistent herewith, are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 7, 1911; Article 11, Section 2] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 032 006.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1916 *** AMENDMENT 32 The general assembly may authorize the acquiring or taking in fee by the state, or by any cities or towns, of more land and property than is needed for actual construction in the establishing, laying out, widening, extending or relocating of public highways, streets, places, parks or parkways: Provided, however, that the additional land and property so authorized to be acquired or taken shall be no more in extent than would be sufficient to form suitable building sites abutting on such public highway, street, place, park or parkway. After so much of the land. tend property has been, appropriated for such public highway, street, place, park or parkway as is needed therefor, the a remainder may be held and improved for any public purpose or purposes, or may be sold or leased for value with or without suitable restrictions, aid in case of any such sale or lease, the person or persons from whom such remainder was taken shall . have the first right to purchase or lease the same upon such terms the state or city or town is willing to sell or lease the same. [Adopted Nov 7, 1916] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 033 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1928 *** AMENDMENT 33 Section 1. The general assembly shall provide by law for the registration necessary to qualify persons, to vote, which registration shall. extend over a biennial period. The first registration period shall begin on the first day of July, A. D. 1928, and shall end on the last day of June, A.. D. 1930. And thereafter the biennial period for registration shall begin and end in like manner. After the adoption of this amendment no person of whom registration is or may be required shall be permitted to vote unless he shall have been registered in the town or city where he resides on or before the last day of June in the biennial period next preceding the time of his voting. At all town and city elections, or special state, and congressional district elections, or elections to fill vacancies, held after the general state election in November, A. D. 1928, and before the general state election in November, A. D. 1930, the registration qualifications and period shall be the same as before the adoption of this amendment. SEC. 2. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of section 11, of Article XI of Amendments to the Constitution, which said section and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1928; Article 8, section 10; See note to Article 8, section 0 coded as Amendment 13 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 034 001.0 006.0 0 RI 1843 1928 *** AMENDMENT 34 SECTION 1. The senate shall consist of the lieutenant governor and of one senator from each town or city in the state; provided, however, that any town or city having more than twenty-five thousand qualified electors, shall be entitled to an additional senator for each additional twenty-five thousand qualified electors, always allowing one additional senator for a fraction exceeding half the ratio; but no town or city shall be entitled to more than six senators. Any town or city entitled to more than one senator shall be divided into senatorial districts. The general assembly may after any presidential election reapportion the senate in accordance with the .foregoing provisions. As soon as this amendment goes into effect, the general assembly shall divide any town or city into as many districts as it is entitled to senators, and one senator shall be elected from each district by the qualified electors thereof. Such districts shall be as nearly equal in number of qualified electors and as compact in territory as possible Sec. 2. This amendment shall take, in the constitution of the state, the place of section 1 of Article VI, "Of the Senate," which said section and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1928; Article 6, Section 1] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 035 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1928 *** AMENDMENT 35 SECTION 1. Every citizen of the United States of the age of twenty-one years, who has had his residence and, home in this state for two years, and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next preceding the time of his voting, and whose name shall be registered in the town or city where he resides on or before the last day of June in the registration period next preceding the time of his voting shall have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings; PROVIDED, That no person shall at any time be allowed to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from a city, unless he shall be qualified under section 1 of article II of this constitution, or unless he shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town, of the value of at least one hundred and thirty-four dollars; and PROVIDED, That if the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city; and PROVIDED, That no such budget commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and voting, vote to submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition; and PROVIDED, That any elector, being otherwise qualified, whose name is on the real estate or the personal property voting list of any town or city on the date of the adoption of this article -of' amendment by the electors of the state, and any elector, being otherwise qualified, whose name shall thereafter be placed upon such list as a real estate or personal property voter, shall have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings, and to have his name retained on said list without further registration, so long as he continues so qualified; and in the event that an elector whose name is on the real estate voting list of any town or city at the end of any registration period for voters shall thereafter during the next succeeding registration period for voters transfer all his real estate in said town or city, as shown by record, his name shall forthwith be transferred to the list of registry voters, unless qualified as a personal voter, and such elector shall be entitled to vote as a registry voter during the remainder of the then current registration period for voters; and in the event that an elector whose name is on the personal property voting list of any town or city at the end of any registration period for voters thereafter during the next succeeding registration period for voters fails to pay the personal property tax assessed against him, his name shall be transferred to the list of registry voters, and such elector shall be entitled to vote as a registry voter during the remainder of the then current registration period for voters; and PROVIDED, That the registration period for voters shall include the two years ending June 30th next preceding the election of general officers of the state. SEC. 2. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state, the place of section 1 of article VII of the articles of amendment, adopted April, 1888, which said section and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1928; Article 2, Section 2] [This amendment repeals section 1 of amendment 7 from the Articles of Amendments passed April 4, 1888 from the 1843 RI constitution. It had replaced Article 2, section 2.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 036 001.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1930 *** AMENDMENT 36 Article 21 SECTION 1. The electors of this state, who are absent from the state, being otherwise qualified to vote at the general election held biennially on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, shall have the right to vote in all elections in the state for electors of president and vice-president of the United States, senators in congress, representatives. in congress, general officers of the state, senator and representative in the general assembly from the respective city, town, or district in which the elector is duly qualified to vote, and for any other officers whose names appear on the state ballot, and also to approve or reject any proposition of amendment to the constitution, or other proposition appearing on the state ballot. The general assembly shall have full power to provide by law for carrying this article into Effect and any ballot cast under the provisions of such. law shall be received and counted with the same effect as if given by such elector in open town, ward or district meeting. The general assembly may also provide special regulations and manner of voting for those persons who are absent from the state in the actual military service of the United States. SEC. 2. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state, the place of Article IV of articles of amendment to the constitution, which said article and all other provisions of the constitution, inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 4, 1930; This Replaces Amendment 4 of the Articles of Amendment, passed August, 1864] [This amendment is later repealed by Article 23 of the Articles of Amendment, passed on Nov 2, 1948 Amendment 38 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 037 007.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1944 *** AMENDMENT 37 Article 22 SECTION 1. The general assembly is hereby authorized and empowered to enact legislation to exempt from the registration requirements of Article XX of the amendments "to the constitution members of the armed forces and the merchant marine of the United States in active service during the period of such service and for two years thereafter, and also to exempt from such requirements during a like period persons absent from the state in the performance of services so intimately. connected with military operations as to warrant, in the opinion of the general assembly, their being classified in the same category as members of the armed forces; and the general assembly is also authorized and empowered to enact legislation prescribing the time, place, manner and extent of voting by such members of the armed forces and the merchant marine and such other persons during the period of such service and for two years thereafter. SEC. 2. This amendment shall supersede all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith in their application to the persons described in Section I of this amendment. Sec. 3. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at the special election, to, which this amendment is submitted, after adoption stay the constitutional convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted April 11, 1944; Article 2, section 2] [This is Article 22 of the Articles of Amendment; it adds to provisions in Article 20 of the Articles of Amendment, adopted Nov 5, 1928, which replaced Article 7, section 1 of the Articles of Amendment amending Article 2, section 2 of the RI constitution Amendment 35 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 038 001.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1948 *** AMENDMENT 38 Article 23 SECTION 1 . The electors of this state who are absent from the state, or who by reason of old age, physical disability, illness or for other physical infirmities, are unable to vote in person, being otherwise qualified to vote at the general election held bi-annually on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, shall have the right to vote in all elections in the state for electors of president and vice president of the United States, United States senators in congress, representatives in congress, general officers of the state, senators and representatives in the general assembly for the respective city, town or district, in which the elector is duly qualified to vote, and for any other officers whose names appear on the state ballot and for any city, town, water district officers whose names appear on the respective city or town ballots in the ward or district of the city or town in which the elector is duly qualified to vote and also to approve or reject any proposition of amendment to the constitution or other propositions appearing on the state, city or town ballot. The general assembly shall have full power to provide by law for carrying this article into effect and any ballot cast under the provisions of such law shall be received and counted with the same effect as if given by such elector in open town: ward or district meeting. SEC. 2 This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of article XXI of articles of amendment to the constitution, which said article and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled: provided however, that the provisions of this article shall not construed to amend or repeal article XXII of the article, of amendment to the constitution. [Adopted November 2, 1948; Replaces Article 21 of the Articles of Amendment, passed on Nov 4, 1930 Amendment 36 in the database which has replaced Article 4 of the Articles of Amendment, passed August, 1864. It is later replaced by Article 34 of the Articles of Amendment, passed on Feb 27, 1958] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 039 004.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 39 SECTION 1. Section -4 of article II Of the constitution of the a state is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 4. No person in the military, naval, marine, or any other service of the United States shall he considered as having the required residence by reason of being employed in any garrison, barrack, or military naval station in this state: and no pauper. lunatic, person non compos mentis, or person under guardianship shall be permitted to be registered or to vote. Nor shall any person convicted of bribery, or of any crime deemed infamous at common law, be permitted to exercise that privilege, until he be expressly restored thereto by act of the general assembly." SEC. 2. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of section 4 of article II, "Of the qualifications of electors," which said section and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [ADOPTED NOVEMBER 7, 1950; Article 2, section 4] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 040 001.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 40 Repealed [Repealed Nov 7, 1950; Article 2, section 1 annulled and subsequent Articles of Amendment, numbers 18 and 20, and are also hereby annulled by this amendment; see subsequent amendments in database, numbers 41 and 42] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 041 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 41 Repealed [Repealed Nov 7, 1950; Article 2, section 2 annulled; Article 20 of the Articles of the Amendment (Nov 6, 1928) is therefore annulled as well Amendment 35 in the database. This latter amendment had replaced section 1 of Article 7 of the Articles of Amendment (April 4, 1888), which had replaced section 2 of Article 2 of the RI Constitution] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 042 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 42 Repealed [Repealed Nov 7, 1950; Article 8, section 10; See note to Article 8, section 0 (Amendment 13 in the database)] [Article 18 of the Articles of Amendment (Nov 6, 1928; Amendment 33 in the database) amended Section 11 of Article 11 of the Articles of Amendment (Nov 6, 1900). This latter Amendment rewrote Article 8. See note to Article 8, section 0 (Amendment 13 in the database)] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 043 001.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 43 Section 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote, six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meeting so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified, provided, however, that if a registered voter has not voted at least once at an election, primary, caucus or meeting within the five preceding calendar years his registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. Sec 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from a city, unless he shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollars per annum over and above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred thirty-four dollars. Sec. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and voting, vote to "submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. SEC. 4. The general assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed in this article and shall include in such provisions suitable methods of identification, of such voters, by signature or otherwise. SEC. 5. Until the general assembly shall otherwise prescribe: Whenever any person eligible to vote shall register to vote in any town or city he shall be required to sign his name on three separate and distinct cards, or in three separate and distinct books or on one or more cards and in one or more books making a total of three cards or books in all, and at the time he shall so register he shall be given by the official or clerk so registering him an identification card upon which such qualified elector shall sign his name in the presence of such official or clerk. The general assembly may provide by law that in case any person shall be unable to sign his name because of physical incapacity or otherwise he may be exempted from the foregoing provisions in regard to signing his name and the general assembly shall provide that in such cases such person shall comply with other requirements which shall assist in providing identification of such voter. One of said registration calls or books shall at all times be retained in the custody of the town car city official or board in whom or in which is vested authority to register voters, one of said registration cards or books shall be sent by said town or city official or board to the state official or board in whom or in which is vested authority to supervise elections throughout the state and one of such registration cards or books shall be sent by said town or city official or board to the polling place or meeting at which any votes are to be taken or election, primary or caucus is to be held and shall be delivered by said official or board to the moderator of said polling place or meeting and shall at all times during the conduct of such election, primary, caucus, or meeting be kept in the custody of said moderator, and following the conclusion of such election, primary, caucus, or meeting shall be redelivered by the moderator to said town or city official or board. Sec. 6. In all elections, primaries, caucuses, or meetings held before the first day of July occurring next after six, months following the adoption of this amendment, the qualification to vote, including the registration qualifications, requirements and periods, shall be the same as before the adoption of this amendment. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary, caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. Sec. 7. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of section 1 of article II and of articles XVIII and XX of the amendments to said constitution, which said section and articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this article. [Nov 7, 1950; Article 2, section 1 annulled and subsequent Articles of Amendment, numbers 18 and 20, and are also hereby annulled by this amendment] [See notes in Amendments 40-42 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 044 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 44 Section 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote, six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meeting so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified, provided, however, that if a registered voter has not voted at least once at an election, primary, caucus or meeting within the five preceding calendar years his registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. Sec 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from a city, unless he shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollars per annum over and above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred thirty-four dollars. Sec. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and voting, vote to "submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. SEC. 4. The general assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed in this article and shall include in such provisions suitable methods of identification, of such voters, by signature or otherwise. SEC. 5. Until the general assembly shall otherwise prescribe: Whenever any person eligible to vote shall register to vote in any town or city he shall be required to sign his name on three separate and distinct cards, or in three separate and distinct books or on one or more cards and in one or more books making a total of three cards or books in all, and at the time he shall so register he shall be given by the official or clerk so registering him an identification card upon which such qualified elector shall sign his name in the presence of such official or clerk. The general assembly may provide by law that in case any person shall be unable to sign his name because of physical incapacity or otherwise he may be exempted from the foregoing provisions in regard to signing his name and the general assembly shall provide that in such cases such person shall comply with other requirements which shall assist in providing identification of such voter. One of said registration calls or books shall at all times be retained in the custody of the town car city official or board in whom or in which is vested authority to register voters, one of said registration cards or books shall be sent by said town or city official or board to the state official or board in whom or in which is vested authority to supervise elections throughout the state and one of such registration cards or books shall be sent by said town or city official or board to the polling place or meeting at which any votes are to be taken or election, primary or caucus is to be held and shall be delivered by said official or board to the moderator of said polling place or meeting and shall at all times during the conduct of such election, primary, caucus, or meeting be kept in the custody of said moderator, and following the conclusion of such election, primary, caucus, or meeting shall be redelivered by the moderator to said town or city official or board. Sec. 6. In all elections, primaries, caucuses, or meetings held before the first day of July occurring next after six, months following the adoption of this amendment, the qualification to vote, including the registration qualifications, requirements and periods, shall be the same as before the adoption of this amendment. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary, caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. Sec. 7. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of section 1 of article II and of articles XVIII and XX of the amendments to said constitution, which said section and articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this article. [Nov 7, 1950; Article 2, section 1 annulled and subsequent Articles of Amendment, numbers 18 and 20, and are also hereby annulled by this amendment] [See notes in Amendments 40-42 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 045 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 45 Section 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote, six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meeting so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified, provided, however, that if a registered voter has not voted at least once at an election, primary, caucus or meeting within the five preceding calendar years his registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. Sec 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from a city, unless he shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollars per annum over and above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred thirty-four dollars. Sec. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and voting, vote to "submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. SEC. 4. The general assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed in this article and shall include in such provisions suitable methods of identification, of such voters, by signature or otherwise. SEC. 5. Until the general assembly shall otherwise prescribe: Whenever any person eligible to vote shall register to vote in any town or city he shall be required to sign his name on three separate and distinct cards, or in three separate and distinct books or on one or more cards and in one or more books making a total of three cards or books in all, and at the time he shall so register he shall be given by the official or clerk so registering him an identification card upon which such qualified elector shall sign his name in the presence of such official or clerk. The general assembly may provide by law that in case any person shall be unable to sign his name because of physical incapacity or otherwise he may be exempted from the foregoing provisions in regard to signing his name and the general assembly shall provide that in such cases such person shall comply with other requirements which shall assist in providing identification of such voter. One of said registration calls or books shall at all times be retained in the custody of the town car city official or board in whom or in which is vested authority to register voters, one of said registration cards or books shall be sent by said town or city official or board to the state official or board in whom or in which is vested authority to supervise elections throughout the state and one of such registration cards or books shall be sent by said town or city official or board to the polling place or meeting at which any votes are to be taken or election, primary or caucus is to be held and shall be delivered by said official or board to the moderator of said polling place or meeting and shall at all times during the conduct of such election, primary, caucus, or meeting be kept in the custody of said moderator, and following the conclusion of such election, primary, caucus, or meeting shall be redelivered by the moderator to said town or city official or board. Sec. 6. In all elections, primaries, caucuses, or meetings held before the first day of July occurring next after six, months following the adoption of this amendment, the qualification to vote, including the registration qualifications, requirements and periods, shall be the same as before the adoption of this amendment. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary, caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. Sec. 7. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of section 1 of article II and of articles XVIII and XX of the amendments to said constitution, which said section and articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this article. [Nov 7, 1950; Article 2, section 1 annulled and subsequent Articles of Amendment, numbers 18 and 20, and are also hereby annulled by this amendment] [See notes in Amendments 40-42 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 046 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1950 *** AMENDMENT 46 Section 1. Every citizen of the United States of the age of twenty-one years, who has had his residence and home in this state for two years, and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next to preceding the time of his voting, and whose name shall be registered in the town or city where he resides on or before the last day of June in registration period next preceding the time of his voting shall have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, and ward or district meetings; Provided that no person shall at any time be allowed to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from a city, unless he shall be qualified under section I of article II of this constitution, or unless he shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town, of the value of at least one hundred and thirty-four dollars, or unless he shall be exempted from-the payment of a tax upon personal property of the value of at least one hundred and thirty- four -dollars owned by him, by reason of his having served in the armed forces of the United States of America; and Provided, That if the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city; and Provided, That no such budget. commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and voting, vote to submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition; and Provided, That any elector, being otherwise qualified, whose name is on the real estate or the personal property voting list of any town or city on the date of the adoption of this article of amendment by the electors of the state, and any elector, being otherwise qualified, whose name shall thereafter be placed upon such list as a real estate or personal property voter, shall have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings, and to have his name retained on said list without further registration, so long as he continues so qualified; and in the event that an elector whose name is on the real estate voting list of any town or city at the end of any registration period for voters shall thereafter during the next succeeding registration period for voters transfer all his real estate in said town or city, as shown by record, his name shall forthwith be transferred to the list of registry voters, unless qualified as a personal voter, and such elector shall be entitled to vote as a registry voter during the remainder of the then current registration period for voters; and in the event that an elector whose name is on the personal property voting list of any town or city at the end of any registration period for voters thereafter during the next succeeding registration period for voters fails to pay the personal property tax assessed against him, his name shall be transferred to the list of registry voters, and such elector shall be entitled to vote as a registry voter during the remainder of the then current registration period for voters; and Provided, That the registration period for voters shall include the two years ending June 30th next preceding the election of general officers of the state. Sec. 2. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state, the place of section 1 of article XX of the articles of amendment, adopted November 6,1928, which said section and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [ADOPTED NOVEMBER 7, 1950; Article 2, section 2; see amendment 41 and 44 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 047 002.0 007.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 47 ARTICLE 27 SECTION 1. Sec. 2 of Article VII of the articles of amendment to the constitution of this state is hereby annulled. Sec. 2. Sec. 3 of Article II of the constitution of this state shall remain annulled. Sec. 3. All other provisions of the Constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. Sec. 4: This amendment shall take effect-whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951; Said sections annulled by previous amendments amendments 44, 46, and 8 of the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 048 009.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 48 ARTICLE 28 SECTION 1. It is the intention of this article to grant and confirm to the people of every city and town in this; state the right of self government in all local matters. Sec. 2. Every city and town shall have the power at any time to adopt a charter, amend its charter, enact and amend local laws relating to its property, affairs and government not inconsistent with this constitution and laws enacted by the General Assembly in conformity with the powers reserved to the General Assembly. Sec. 3. Notwithstanding anything contained in this article, every city and town shall have a legislative body composed. of one or two branches elected by vote of its qualified electors. Sec. 4. The General Assembly shall have the power to act in relation to the property, affairs and government of any city or town by general laws which shall apply alike to all cities and towns, but which shall not affect the form of government of any city or town. The General Assembly shall also have the power to act in relation to the property, affairs and government of a particular city or town provided that such legislative action shall become effective only upon approval by a majority of the qualified electors of the said city or town voting at a general or special election, except that in the case of acts involving the imposition of a tax or the expenditure of money by a town the same shall provide for the submission thereof to those electors in said town qualified to vote upon a proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money. Sec. 5. Nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to grant to any city, or town the power to levy, assess and collect taxes or to borrow money, except as authorized by the General Assembly. Sec. 6. Every city and town shall have the power to adopt a charter in the following manner: Whenever a petition for the adoption of a charter signed by fifteen per centum of the qualified electors o a city, or in a town by fifteen per centum, but not less than one hundred in number, of those persons qualified to vote on any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money shall be filed with the legislative body of any city or town the same shall be referred forthwith to the canvassing authority which shall within ten days after its receipt determine the sufficiency thereof and certify the results to the legislative body of said city or town. Within sixty days thereafter the legislative body of a city shall submit to its qualified electors and the legislative body of a town shall submit to the electors of said town qualified to vote upon a proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money the following question: "Shall a commission be appointed to frame a charter?" and the legislative body of any city or town shall provide by ordinance or resolution a method for the nomination and election of a charter commission to frame a charter consisting in a city of nine qualified electors and in a town of nine electors of said town qualified to vote upon a proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money who shall be elected at large without party or political designation and who shall be listed alphabetically on the ballot used for said election. Such ordinance or resolution shall provide for the submission of the question and the election of the charter commission at the same time. Upon approval of the question submitted the nine candidates who individually receive the greater numbers of .votes shall be declared elected and shall constitute the charter commission. Sec. 7. Within one year from the date of the election of the charter commission the charter framed by the commission shall be submitted to the legislative body of the city or town which body shall provide for publication of said charter and shall provide for the submission of said charter to the electors of a city or town qualified to vote for general state officers at the general election next succeeding thirty days from the date of the submission of the charter by the charter commission. If said charter is approved by a majority of said electors voting thereon, it shall become effective upon the date fixed therein. Sec. 8. The legislative body of any city or town may propose amendments to a charter which amendments shall be submitted for approval in the same manner as provided in this article for the adoption of a charter except that the same may be submitted at a special election, and provided further that in the case of a town, amendments concerning a proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, shall he submitted at a special or regular financial town meeting. Sec. 9. Whenever the legislative body of any city or town consists of more than one branch, a petition for the adoption of a charter as provided in this article may be filed with either branch of said legislative body. Sec. 10. Duplicate certificates shall be made setting forth the charter adopted and any amendments approved and the same shall be signed by a majority of the canvassing authority ; one of such certified copies shall be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State and the other after having been recorded in the records of the city or town shall be deposited among the archives of the said city or town and all courts shall take judicial notice thereof. Sec. 11. The judicial powers of the state shall not be diminished by the provisions of this article. Sec. 12. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 049 001.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 49 ARTICLE 29 SECTION 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one, year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified; provided, however, that if a registered voter does not vote at least once at an election, primary or caucus within the five calendar years succeeding his registration, his said registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States and during two years thereafter. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. SEC. 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon an proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from city, unless he shall be qualified under the provisions of section 1 hereof and shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollar per annum over and- above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred and thirty-four dollars. SEC. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget, commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and, voting, vote to submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. Budget commissions heretofore created pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to have been created pursuant to the provisions of this section. SEC. 4. The General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed by this Article. In each city and town the registration, canvassing of the rights and correcting the list of voters shall be administered by a canvassing authority. Beginning in January of each year in which a general election is to be held a census of registered voters at their addresses appearing in the registration records shall be jointly made in each voting district of each city and town by two persons appointed by said authority, one of whom shall represent one of the two political parties, and the other of whom shall represent the other of the two political parties whose candidates for Governor shall have received the larger numbers of votes in the general election then next receding. Said persons, having conducted the census, shall deliver their report of said census to the canvassing authority. The canvassing authority shall forthwith notify every person reported as not residing at the address on said records of voters to appear before said canvassing authority, within a certain time thereafter to show cause, if any, why his name should not he stricken from said records of voters. If such person so notified fails to appear as aforesaid, or appearing fails to show such cause, the canvassing authority shall strike the name of such person from said records of voters. The warden, or moderator, as the case may be, or the clerk, supervisor or party watcher, may challenge, in the polling place, the identity of any person who offers to vote under a name appearing upon the voting list. The person so challenged may thereupon present evidence of his identity, and if such evidence is satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, he shall he permitted to vote. If he fails to present such evidence, or if the evidence presented is not satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, the person who offers to vote and whose identity is challenged shall be required to make an affidavit under penalty setting forth that he is the same person whose name appears upon the list and that the name under which he offers to vote is his own name. Upon executing said affidavit, he shall be permitted to vote. SEC. 5. Until the first day of July, 1952, the qualifications and right to vote shall be governed by the laws of this state as they existed on November l, 1950. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July 1952, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. SEC. 6. Upon the approval of this Article of Amendment by the people, and upon the enactment of legislation pursuant to section 4 hereof, the proper officers are hereby authorized, empowered and, directed to accept registrations of voters pursuant to the provisions hereof, which registrations shall become effective on the first day of July, 1952. SEC. 7. The general assembly shall have full power to prescribe the manner of conducting the elections, the form of certificates, the nature of the evidence to be required in case of a dispute as to the right of any person to vote, and generally to enact all laws necessary to carry this article into effect, and to prevent abuse, corruption and fraud in voting. SEC. 8. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the places of Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6 of Article II ; and in the Articles of Amendment to said constitution, of Article VII, Sec. 11 of Article XI and of Articles XVIII and XX, and those two certain Articles of Amendment providing respectively for Permanent registration and for Qualification of Electors approved the seventh day of November, 1950, upon submission pursuant to Chapters 2294 and 2305, of the Public Laws, of 1949, which said Sections and Articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of Article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this Article. SEC. 9. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] [This amendment changed and adjusted voting provisions in Article 2, sections 1, 2, 3, and 6, and Article 8, section 10 (see note to Article 8, section 0 amendment 13 and 23 in the database) which had been changed and adjusted with the following Articles of Amendment: Article 7 (1888), Article 11, section 11 (1900), Article 18 (1928), Article 20 (1928). For clarity, the entire text of this amendment has been repeated in the database for each change.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 050 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 50 ARTICLE 29 SECTION 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one, year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified; provided, however, that if a registered voter does not vote at least once at an election, primary or caucus within the five calendar years succeeding his registration, his said registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States and during two years thereafter. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. SEC. 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon an proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from city, unless he shall be qualified under the provisions of section 1 hereof and shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollar per annum over and- above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred and thirty-four dollars. SEC. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget, commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and, voting, vote to submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. Budget commissions heretofore created pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to have been created pursuant to the provisions of this section. SEC. 4. The General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed by this Article. In each city and town the registration, canvassing of the rights and correcting the list of voters shall be administered by a canvassing authority. Beginning in January of each year in which a general election is to be held a census of registered voters at their addresses appearing in the registration records shall be jointly made in each voting district of each city and town by two persons appointed by said authority, one of whom shall represent one of the two political parties, and the other of whom shall represent the other of the two political parties whose candidates for Governor shall have received the larger numbers of votes in the general election then next receding. Said persons, having conducted the census, shall deliver their report of said census to the canvassing authority. The canvassing authority shall forthwith notify every person reported as not residing at the address on said records of voters to appear before said canvassing authority, within a certain time thereafter to show cause, if any, why his name should not he stricken from said records of voters. If such person so notified fails to appear as aforesaid, or appearing fails to show such cause, the canvassing authority shall strike the name of such person from said records of voters. The warden, or moderator, as the case may be, or the clerk, supervisor or party watcher, may challenge, in the polling place, the identity of any person who offers to vote under a name appearing upon the voting list. The person so challenged may thereupon present evidence of his identity, and if such evidence is satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, he shall he permitted to vote. If he fails to present such evidence, or if the evidence presented is not satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, the person who offers to vote and whose identity is challenged shall be required to make an affidavit under penalty setting forth that he is the same person whose name appears upon the list and that the name under which he offers to vote is his own name. Upon executing said affidavit, he shall be permitted to vote. SEC. 5. Until the first day of July, 1952, the qualifications and right to vote shall be governed by the laws of this state as they existed on November l, 1950. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July 1952, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. SEC. 6. Upon the approval of this Article of Amendment by the people, and upon the enactment of legislation pursuant to section 4 hereof, the proper officers are hereby authorized, empowered and, directed to accept registrations of voters pursuant to the provisions hereof, which registrations shall become effective on the first day of July, 1952. SEC. 7. The general assembly shall have full power to prescribe the manner of conducting the elections, the form of certificates, the nature of the evidence to be required in case of a dispute as to the right of any person to vote, and generally to enact all laws necessary to carry this article into effect, and to prevent abuse, corruption and fraud in voting. SEC. 8. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the places of` Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6 of Article II ; and in the Articles of Amendment to said constitution, of Article VII, Sec. 11 of Article XI and of Articles XVIII and XX, and those two certain Articles of Amendment providing respectively for Permanent registration and for Qualification of Electors approved the seventh day of November, 1950, upon submission pursuant to Chapters 2294 and 2305, of the Public Laws, of 1949, which said Sections and Articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of Article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this Article. SEC. 9. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] [This amendment changed and adjusted voting provisions in Article 2, sections 1, 2, 3, and 6, and Article 8, section 10 (see note to Article 8, section 0 amendment 13 and 23 in the database) which had been changed and adjusted with the following Articles of Amendment: Article 7 (1888), Article 11, section 11 (1900), Article 18 (1928), Article 20 (1928). For clarity, the entire text of this amendment has been repeated in the database for each change.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 051 003.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 51 ARTICLE 29 SECTION 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one, year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified; provided, however, that if a registered voter does not vote at least once at an election, primary or caucus within the five calendar years succeeding his registration, his said registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States and during two years thereafter. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. SEC. 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon an proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from city, unless he shall be qualified under the provisions of section 1 hereof and shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollar per annum over and- above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred and thirty-four dollars. SEC. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget, commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and, voting, vote to submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. Budget commissions heretofore created pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to have been created pursuant to the provisions of this section. SEC. 4. The General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed by this Article. In each city and town the registration, canvassing of the rights and correcting the list of voters shall be administered by a canvassing authority. Beginning in January of each year in which a general election is to be held a census of registered voters at their addresses appearing in the registration records shall be jointly made in each voting district of each city and town by two persons appointed by said authority, one of whom shall represent one of the two political parties, and the other of whom shall represent the other of the two political parties whose candidates for Governor shall have received the larger numbers of votes in the general election then next receding. Said persons, having conducted the census, shall deliver their report of said census to the canvassing authority. The canvassing authority shall forthwith notify every person reported as not residing at the address on said records of voters to appear before said canvassing authority, within a certain time thereafter to show cause, if any, why his name should not he stricken from said records of voters. If such person so notified fails to appear as aforesaid, or appearing fails to show such cause, the canvassing authority shall strike the name of such person from said records of voters. The warden, or moderator, as the case may be, or the clerk, supervisor or party watcher, may challenge, in the polling place, the identity of any person who offers to vote under a name appearing upon the voting list. The person so challenged may thereupon present evidence of his identity, and if such evidence is satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, he shall he permitted to vote. If he fails to present such evidence, or if the evidence presented is not satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, the person who offers to vote and whose identity is challenged shall be required to make an affidavit under penalty setting forth that he is the same person whose name appears upon the list and that the name under which he offers to vote is his own name. Upon executing said affidavit, he shall be permitted to vote. SEC. 5. Until the first day of July, 1952, the qualifications and right to vote shall be governed by the laws of this state as they existed on November l, 1950. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July 1952, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. SEC. 6. Upon the approval of this Article of Amendment by the people, and upon the enactment of legislation pursuant to section 4 hereof, the proper officers are hereby authorized, empowered and, directed to accept registrations of voters pursuant to the provisions hereof, which registrations shall become effective on the first day of July, 1952. SEC. 7. The general assembly shall have full power to prescribe the manner of conducting the elections, the form of certificates, the nature of the evidence to be required in case of a dispute as to the right of any person to vote, and generally to enact all laws necessary to carry this article into effect, and to prevent abuse, corruption and fraud in voting. SEC. 8. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the places of` Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6 of Article II ; and in the Articles of Amendment to said constitution, of Article VII, Sec. 11 of Article XI and of Articles XVIII and XX, and those two certain Articles of Amendment providing respectively for Permanent registration and for Qualification of Electors approved the seventh day of November, 1950, upon submission pursuant to Chapters 2294 and 2305, of the Public Laws, of 1949, which said Sections and Articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of Article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this Article. SEC. 9. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] [This amendment changed and adjusted voting provisions in Article 2, sections 1, 2, 3, and 6, and Article 8, section 10 (see note to Article 8, section 0 amendment 13 and 23 in the database) which had been changed and adjusted with the following Articles of Amendment: Article 7 (1888), Article 11, section 11 (1900), Article 18 (1928), Article 20 (1928). For clarity, the entire text of this amendment has been repeated in the database for each change.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 052 006.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 52 ARTICLE 29 SECTION 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one, year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified; provided, however, that if a registered voter does not vote at least once at an election, primary or caucus within the five calendar years succeeding his registration, his said registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States and during two years thereafter. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. SEC. 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon an proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from city, unless he shall be qualified under the provisions of section 1 hereof and shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollar per annum over and- above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred and thirty-four dollars. SEC. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget, commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and, voting, vote to submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. Budget commissions heretofore created pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to have been created pursuant to the provisions of this section. SEC. 4. The General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed by this Article. In each city and town the registration, canvassing of the rights and correcting the list of voters shall be administered by a canvassing authority. Beginning in January of each year in which a general election is to be held a census of registered voters at their addresses appearing in the registration records shall be jointly made in each voting district of each city and town by two persons appointed by said authority, one of whom shall represent one of the two political parties, and the other of whom shall represent the other of the two political parties whose candidates for Governor shall have received the larger numbers of votes in the general election then next receding. Said persons, having conducted the census, shall deliver their report of said census to the canvassing authority. The canvassing authority shall forthwith notify every person reported as not residing at the address on said records of voters to appear before said canvassing authority, within a certain time thereafter to show cause, if any, why his name should not he stricken from said records of voters. If such person so notified fails to appear as aforesaid, or appearing fails to show such cause, the canvassing authority shall strike the name of such person from said records of voters. The warden, or moderator, as the case may be, or the clerk, supervisor or party watcher, may challenge, in the polling place, the identity of any person who offers to vote under a name appearing upon the voting list. The person so challenged may thereupon present evidence of his identity, and if such evidence is satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, he shall he permitted to vote. If he fails to present such evidence, or if the evidence presented is not satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, the person who offers to vote and whose identity is challenged shall be required to make an affidavit under penalty setting forth that he is the same person whose name appears upon the list and that the name under which he offers to vote is his own name. Upon executing said affidavit, he shall be permitted to vote. SEC. 5. Until the first day of July, 1952, the qualifications and right to vote shall be governed by the laws of this state as they existed on November l, 1950. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July 1952, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. SEC. 6. Upon the approval of this Article of Amendment by the people, and upon the enactment of legislation pursuant to section 4 hereof, the proper officers are hereby authorized, empowered and, directed to accept registrations of voters pursuant to the provisions hereof, which registrations shall become effective on the first day of July, 1952. SEC. 7. The general assembly shall have full power to prescribe the manner of conducting the elections, the form of certificates, the nature of the evidence to be required in case of a dispute as to the right of any person to vote, and generally to enact all laws necessary to carry this article into effect, and to prevent abuse, corruption and fraud in voting. SEC. 8. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the places of` Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6 of Article II ; and in the Articles of Amendment to said constitution, of Article VII, Sec. 11 of Article XI and of Articles XVIII and XX, and those two certain Articles of Amendment providing respectively for Permanent registration and for Qualification of Electors approved the seventh day of November, 1950, upon submission pursuant to Chapters 2294 and 2305, of the Public Laws, of 1949, which said Sections and Articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of Article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this Article. SEC. 9. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] [This amendment changed and adjusted voting provisions in Article 2, sections 1, 2, 3, and 6, and Article 8, section 10 (see note to Article 8, section 0 amendment 13 and 23 in the database) which had been changed and adjusted with the following Articles of Amendment: Article 7 (1888), Article 11, section 11 (1900), Article 18 (1928), Article 20 (1928). For clarity, the entire text of this amendment has been repeated in the database for each change.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 053 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 53 ARTICLE 29 SECTION 1. Every citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years or over, who has had his residence and home in this state for one, year and in the town or city in which he may offer to vote six months next preceding the time of voting, and whose name shall be registered in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority in the town or city where he resides at least sixty days next preceding the time of his voting shall, except as provided in section 2 hereof, have a right to vote in the election of all civil officers and on all questions in all legally organized town, ward, or district meetings so long as he continues so qualified. A person who has so registered shall not be required to register again so long as he continues to have his residence and home in said town or city and continues to be otherwise qualified; provided, however, that if a registered voter does not vote at least once at an election, primary or caucus within the five calendar years succeeding his registration, his said registration shall be cancelled, except that the registration of no person shall be so cancelled during his service in the armed forces of the United States and during two years thereafter. A voter whose registration has been so cancelled shall not thereafter be eligible to vote unless he shall again register in accordance with this article and the statutes adopted under its authority. SEC. 2. No person shall, except as provided in section 3 hereof, at any time be allowed to vote upon an proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town, as distinguished from city, unless he shall be qualified under the provisions of section 1 hereof and shall either (1) be really and truly possessed in his own right of real estate in such town of the value of one hundred thirty-four dollars over and above all incumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollar per annum over and- above any rent reserved or the interest of any incumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or remainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the conveyance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at least ninety days prior to the time of voting or (2) shall within the year next preceding have paid a tax assessed upon his personal property in said town of the value of at least one hundred and thirty-four dollars. SEC. 3. If the general assembly shall at any time vest the authority to impose taxes and for the expenditure of money in any town or city in a budget commission, such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen electors, of such qualifications and with such powers as the general assembly may prescribe, to be elected by the qualified electors of such town or city. No such budget, commission shall be created for a town, as distinguished from a city, unless the electors thereof in a financial town meeting regularly called, due notice of such proposition appearing in the call for such meeting, shall by a majority vote of those present and, voting, vote to submit such proposition to the electors of such town qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, at the next regular election of town officers, and unless such electors at such election shall by a majority vote of those present and voting approve such proposition. Budget commissions heretofore created pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to have been created pursuant to the provisions of this section. SEC. 4. The General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform registration of voters who possess the qualifications prescribed by this Article. In each city and town the registration, canvassing of the rights and correcting the list of voters shall be administered by a canvassing authority. Beginning in January of each year in which a general election is to be held a census of registered voters at their addresses appearing in the registration records shall be jointly made in each voting district of each city and town by two persons appointed by said authority, one of whom shall represent one of the two political parties, and the other of whom shall represent the other of the two political parties whose candidates for Governor shall have received the larger numbers of votes in the general election then next receding. Said persons, having conducted the census, shall deliver their report of said census to the canvassing authority. The canvassing authority shall forthwith notify every person reported as not residing at the address on said records of voters to appear before said canvassing authority, within a certain time thereafter to show cause, if any, why his name should not he stricken from said records of voters. If such person so notified fails to appear as aforesaid, or appearing fails to show such cause, the canvassing authority shall strike the name of such person from said records of voters. The warden, or moderator, as the case may be, or the clerk, supervisor or party watcher, may challenge, in the polling place, the identity of any person who offers to vote under a name appearing upon the voting list. The person so challenged may thereupon present evidence of his identity, and if such evidence is satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, he shall he permitted to vote. If he fails to present such evidence, or if the evidence presented is not satisfactory to the warden or moderator, as the case may be, and to the clerk, the person who offers to vote and whose identity is challenged shall be required to make an affidavit under penalty setting forth that he is the same person whose name appears upon the list and that the name under which he offers to vote is his own name. Upon executing said affidavit, he shall be permitted to vote. SEC. 5. Until the first day of July, 1952, the qualifications and right to vote shall be governed by the laws of this state as they existed on November l, 1950. No person shall, however, be qualified to vote in any election, primary caucus or meeting held on or after said first day of July 1952, unless he shall be registered under the authority of this article and all voters, whether they have theretofore been real estate, personal property or registry voters shall be required to register under the authority of this article in order to continue to be qualified to vote after said date. SEC. 6. Upon the approval of this Article of Amendment by the people, and upon the enactment of legislation pursuant to section 4 hereof, the proper officers are hereby authorized, empowered and, directed to accept registrations of voters pursuant to the provisions hereof, which registrations shall become effective on the first day of July, 1952. SEC. 7. The general assembly shall have full power to prescribe the manner of conducting the elections, the form of certificates, the nature of the evidence to be required in case of a dispute as to the right of any person to vote, and generally to enact all laws necessary to carry this article into effect, and to prevent abuse, corruption and fraud in voting. SEC. 8. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the places of` Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6 of Article II ; and in the Articles of Amendment to said constitution, of Article VII, Sec. 11 of Article XI and of Articles XVIII and XX, and those two certain Articles of Amendment providing respectively for Permanent registration and for Qualification of Electors approved the seventh day of November, 1950, upon submission pursuant to Chapters 2294 and 2305, of the Public Laws, of 1949, which said Sections and Articles and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Article shall in any way be deemed to modify or affect the provisions of Article XXII of the amendments to the constitution except that the reference therein to Article XX of the amendments to the constitution shall be deemed to refer to this Article. SEC. 9. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] [This amendment changed and adjusted voting provisions in Article 2, sections 1, 2, 3, and 6, and Article 8, section 10 (see note to Article 8, section 0 amendment 13 and 23 in the database) which had been changed and adjusted with the following Articles of Amendment: Article 7 (1888), Article 11, section 11 (1900), Article 18 (1928), Article 20 (1928). For clarity, the entire text of this amendment has been repeated in the database for each change.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 054 010.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 54 ARTICLE 30 SEC. 1. For the purpose of determining the qualification of persons to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in a town, as distinguished from a city, exemption from taxation granted to, any person by reason of his or her having served in the armed forces of the United States of America, or by reason of being the un-remarried widow of such person or by reason of being the parent of such person, which such person shall have lost his or her life as a casualty in any war in which the United States of America shall have been engaged, shall be considered payment in the mount exempted. SEC. 2. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 055 013.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 55 ARTICLE 31 SECTION 1. The general assembly shall have no powers, hereafter, without the express consent of the people, to incur state debts to an mount exceeding fifty thousand dollars, except in time of war, or in case of insurrection or invasion; nor shall they in any case, without such consent, pledge the faith of the state for the payment of the obligations of others. This section shall not be construed to refer to any money that may be deposited with this state by the government the United States. SEC. 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of section I of this article general assembly may provide by law for the state, to borrow in any fiscal year, in anticipation of receipts from taxes; sums of money not exceeding twenty percent of the receipts from taxes during the next prior fiscal year, and, in anticipation of receipts from other uses, additional sums of money, not exceeding ten percent of the receipts from such other sources during the said next prior fiscal year ; provided, that the aggregate of all such borrowings shall not exceed a sum equal to thirty percent of the actual receipts from taxes during the said next prior fiscal year. Any money so borrowed in anticipation of such receipts shall be repaid within the fiscal year of the state in which such borrowings take place. No money shall be so borrowed in anticipation of such receipts in any fiscal year until all money borrowed in all previous fiscal years shall have been repaid. SEC. 3. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state the place of Sec. 13 of Article IV, which section is hereby annulled. SEC. 4. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951; Article 4, Section 13] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 056 011.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1951 *** AMENDMENT 56 ARTICLE 32 SECTION 1. The General Assembly may authorize cities and towns to acquire property by eminent domain, or otherwise, for the establishment and construction of off-street parking facilities and to maintain and operate or lease the same. SEC. 2. Without limiting the generalities of the foregoing any of the powers or authorities consistent with the provisions of this Article for the provision of off-street parking now vested in public bodies by law, shall continue in existence and may be exercised by said public bodies, except as such powers and authorities may be modified, or repealed by the General Assembly. SEC. 3. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted June 28, 1951] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 057 012.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1955 *** AMENDMENT 57 ARTICLE 33 SECTION 1. The clearance, replanning, redevelopment, rehabilitation and improvement of blighted and substandard areas shall be a public use and purpose for which the power of eminent domain may be exercised, tax monies and other public funds expended and public credit pledged. The General Assembly may authorize cities, towns, or local redevelopment agencies to undertake and carry out projects approved by the local legislative body for such uses and purposes including (a) the acquisition in such areas of such properties as the local legislative body may deem necessary or proper to effectuate any of the purposes of this article, although temporarily not required for such purposes, and (b) the sale or other disposition of any such properties to private persons for private uses or to public bodies for public uses. SEC. 2. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention.shall approve the same. [Adopted July 12, 1955] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 058 001.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1958 *** AMENDMENT 58 ARTICLE 34 SECTION 1. The general assembly is authorized and empowered to enact legislation prescribing the time, place, manner and extent of voting by electors of this state who are absent from the state, or who, by reason of old age, physical disability, illness or other physical infirmities, are unable to vote in person. SEC. 2. All laws of the state in effect on the date of the adoption hereof relating to the time, place, manner and extent of voting by the electors of the state referred to in section 1 hereof shall remain in full force and effect until amended or repealed by the General Assembly. SEC. 3. This amendment shall supersede all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith and shall take in the constitution of the state the place of Article XXIII of articles of amendment to the constitution, which said article is hereby annulled. SEC. 4. This amendment shall take effect whenever a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted, after adoption by the constitutional convention, shall approve the same. [Adopted February 27, 1958; Annuls Article 23 (1948) of the Articles of Amendment amendment 38 in the database which had replaced Article 21 (1930; amendment 36 in the database) which had replaced Article 4 (1864; amendment 4 in the database)] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 059 013.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1958 *** AMENDMENT 59 ARTICLE 35 SECTION 1. That portion of the fourth Section of the twenty-ninth Article of Amendment to the Constitution of the state reading as follows: "Beginning in January of each year in which a general election is to be held a census of registered voters at their addresses appearing in the registration records shall be jointly made in each voting district of each city and town by two persons appointed by said authority, one of whom shall represent one of the two political parties; and the other of whom shall represent the other of the two political parties whose candidates for Governor shall have received the larger numbers of votes in the general election then next preceding. Said persons, having conducted the census, shall deliver their report of said census to the canvassing authority. The canvassing authority shall forthwith notify every person reported as not residing at the address on said records of voters to appear before said canvassing authority within a certain time thereafter to show cause, if any, why his name should not be stricken from said records of vote. If such person so notified fails to appear as aforesaid, or appearing fails to show such cause, the canvassing authority shall, strike the name a of such person from said records of voters." is hereby annulled. SEC. 2. The General Assembly is authorized and empowered to provide by law for a method of canvassing the lists of qualified electors. SEC. 3. If a majority of electors voting at a special election, to which this amendment is submitted after adoption by the Constitutional Convention, shall approve the same this amendment shall become effective on December 31, 1958 unless the General Assembly prior thereto shall enact provisions for a method of canvassing said lists in which case this amendment shall take effect upon such enactment. [Adopted Feb 27, 1958; Amends portion of section 4 of Article 23 of Articles of Amendment. See note in any of the database amendments between 49-53 which reads as follows: "This amendment changed and adjusted voting provisions in Article 2, sections 1, 2, 3, and 6, and Article 8, section 10 (see note to Article 8, section 0 amendment 13 and 23 in the database) which had been changed and adjusted with the following Articles of Amendment: Article 7 (1888), Article 11, section 11 (1900), Article 18 (1928), Article 20 (1928). For clarity, the entire text of this amendment has been repeated in the database for each change."] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 060 013.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 1962 *** AMENDMENT 60 ARTICLE 36 SECTION 1. The general assembly, in order to insure continuity of state and local governmental operations, including the judicial function, in. periods of emergency resulting from disasters caused by enemy attack, shall have the power and the immediate duty (1) to provide for prompt and temporary succession to the powers and duties of public offices, of whatever nature and whether filled by election or appointment, the incumbents of which may become unavailable for carrying on the powers and duties of such offices, (2) to enact legislation permitting the convening of the general assembly of any place within or without the state of Rhode Island, and (3) to adopt such other measures as may be necessary and proper for insuring the continuity of governmental operations during the period of said emergency. SEC. 2. Any law enacted under this amendment shall apply to all cities and town regardless of their form of charter. SEC. 3. During said period of emergency the general assembly shall have the power to incur state debts exceeding the limitation set forth in article of amendment XXXI. Sec. 4. The powers granted and the laws enacted under this amendment shall not lie effective after two (2) years following the inception of an enemy attack. [Adopted Nov 6, 1962; Article 4, section 13; annuls Article 31 of the Articles of the Amendment amendment 35 in the database] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 061 017.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 1970 *** AMENDMENT 61 ARTICLE 37 SECTION I. Article I section 17 of the state constitution is hereby amended by striking out this said section as it now appears and inserting in place thereof the following new section: Section 17. The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this state; and they shall be secure in their rights to the use and enjoyment of the natural resources of the state with due regard for the preservation of their values; and it shall be the duty of the general assembly to provide for the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, animal, mineral and other natural resources of the state, and to adopt all means necessary and proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate resources planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state and for the preservation, regeneration and restoration of the natural environment of the state. SEC. 2. This amendment shall take in the constitution of the state, the place of section 17 of article I of the constitution; which said section and all other provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 3, 1970; Article 1, section 17] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 062 000.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 62 Article 2 Repealed [Repealed Nov 6, 1973] [Article 2 had been amended by several amendments over the course of the twentieth century. Amendments 20 (1928) 22 (1944), 24 (1950), 25 (1950), 26 (1950), 29 (1951), and 35 (1958). Article 38 to the Articles of Amendment in effect replaces all these amendments, and therefore Article 2 and it various parts. Since the article had been completely rewritten with this amendment, the new sections will be numbered sequentially in the database sections 1 through 3 and the entire text of the amendment will be repeated in each entry for clarity.] [This amendment also amends Article 8, section 10 (see note in Article 8, sec 0), Amendments 30, 34, and 35 of the Articles of Amendment, all which pertained to the Suffrage.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 063 001.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 63 OF SUFFRAGE SECTION 1. Every citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years or over who has had his residence and home in this State for thirty days next preceding the time of voting, who has resided thirty days in the town or city from which he desires to vote, and whose name shall be registered at least thirty days next preceding the time of voting as provided by law, shall have the right to vote for all officers to be elected and on all questions submitted to the electors, except that no person who has been lawfully adjudicated to be non compos menus shall be permitted to vote. Nor shall any person otherwise qualified to vote as provided in this Article be permitted to vote while serving a prison sentence on final conviction of a felony nor subsequent to such imprisonment until the franchise shall have been restored by an Act of the General Assembly. The General Assembly may provide by law for shorter state and local residence requirements to vote for electors for President and Vice President of the United States. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; See note in Article 2, section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 064 002.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 64 Sec. 2. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the nomination of candidates; for a uniform system of permanent registration of voters; for the exemption from such registration of persons in the active service of the nation and their families absent from the state because of such service, and, in time of war, members of the Merchant Marine; for absentee and shut in voting; for the time, manner and place of conducting elections; for the prevention of abuse, corruption and fraud in voting; and may define by law residence for voting purposes, but no person shall acquire such residence merely by being stationed or assigned in this State in the active service of the United States. The General Assembly shall require each candidate for general office in any primary, general or special election to report to the Secretary of State all contributions and expenditures made by any person to or on behalf of such candidate, provided however, that the General Assembly may limit such disclosure to contributions or expenditures in excess of such an amount as the General Assembly shall specify. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; See note in Article 2, section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 065 003.0 002.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 65 SEC. 3. All laws of the State in effect on the date of the adoption hereof relating to qualifications of electors, time, place, manner and extent of voting by electors, and not inconsistent herewith, shall remain in full force and effect until amended or repealed by the General Assembly. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; See note in Article 2, section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 066 001.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 66 This Article of Amendment is annulled. SEC. 4. This amendment shall take in the Constitution of the State the places of Article II Section 5, and of Articles XXII XXIV, XXIX, XXX, XXXIV, and XXXV of the Articles of Amendment to the Constitution, which said articles, and all provisions of the Constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Replaces Article 34 of the Articles of Amendment. Also see note in Article 2, section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 067 010.0 008.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 67 This section is annulled. SEC. 4. This amendment shall take in the Constitution of the State the places of Article II Section 5, and of Articles XXII XXIV, XXIX, XXX, XXXIV, and XXXV of the Articles of Amendment to the Constitution, which said articles, and all provisions of the Constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Article 8, section 10 see note to Article 8, section 0; also see note in Article 2, section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 068 011.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 68 This Article of Amendment is annulled. SEC. 4. This amendment shall take in the Constitution of the State the places of Article II Section 5, and of Articles XXII XXIV, XXIX, XXX, XXXIV, and XXXV of the Articles of Amendment to the Constitution, which said articles, and all provisions of the Constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Amended Article 30 of the Articles of Amendment; also see note in Article 2, section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 069 013.0 9099.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 69 This Article of Amendment is annulled. SEC. 4. This amendment shall take in the Constitution of the State the places of Article II Section 5, and of Articles XXII XXIV, XXIX, XXX, XXXIV, and XXXV of the Articles of Amendment to the Constitution, which said articles, and all provisions of the Constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Amended Article 35 of the Articles of Amendment; also see note in Article 2, section 0] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 070 001.0 009.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** Amendment 70 ARTICLE 39 QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE SECTION 1. No person shall hold any civil office unless he be a qualified elector for such office. SEC. 2. This amendment shall take in the Constitution of the State, the place of Section 1 of Article IX, which said section and all other provisions of the Constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Article 9, section 1] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 071 007.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 71 ARTICLE 40 GRAND JURY SECTION 1. Except in cases of impeachment, or in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger, no person shall be held to answer for any offense which is punishable by death or by imprisonment for life unless on presentment or indictment by a grand jury, and no person shall be held to answer for any other felony unless on presentment or indictment by a grand jury or on information in writing signed by the Attorney General or one of his designated assistants, as the General Assembly may provide and in accordance with procedures to be enacted by the General Assembly, provided however, that until such procedures are adopted, prosecution of all felonies shall be as presently provided. The General Assembly may authorize the impaneling of grand juries with authority to indict for offenses committed any place within the State and it may provide that more than one grand jury may, sit simultaneously within a county. No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as in anywise impairing the inherent Common Law powers of the grand jury. SEC. 2. This article shall take in the constitution of the State the place of Article I Section 7, which said Section and all provisions of the constitution inconsistent herewith are hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Article 1, section 7] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 072 012.0 004.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 72 ARTICLE 41 LOTTERIES SECTION 1. All lotteries shall hereafter be prohibited in the State except lotteries operated by the State and except those previously permitted by the General Assembly prior to the adoption of this amendment, and all shall hereafter be subject to the prescription and regulation of the General Assembly; provided that before the adoption of this amendment no other lotteries shall be permitted or authorized. SEC. 6. This article shall take in the constitution of the State the place of Article IV, Section 12, which said Section is hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Article 4, section 12] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 073 000.0 013.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 73 Article 13 REPEALED [Repealed Nov 6, 1973] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 069 001.0 013.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 74 ARTICLE 42 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS SECTION 1. The General Assembly may propose amendments to the Constitution of the State by a roll call vote of a majority of the members elected to each house. Any amendment thus proposed shall be published in such manner as the General Assembly shall direct, and submitted to the electors at the next general election as provided in tile resolution of approval; and, if then approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon, it shall become a part of the Constitution. SEC. 2. The General Assembly, by a vote of a majority of the members elected to each house, may at any general election submit the question, "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution?" to the qualified electors of the State. If the question be not submitted to the people at some time during any period of ten years, the Secretary of State shall submit it at the next general election following said period Prior to a vote by the qualified electors on the holding of. a convention, the General Assembly, or the Governor if the General Assembly fails to act, shall provide for a bipartisan preparatory commission to assemble information, on constitutional questions for the electors. If a majority of the electors voting at such election on paid question shall vote to hold a convention, the General Assembly at its next session shall provide by law for the election of delegates to such convention. The number of delegates shall be equal to the number of members of the House of Representatives and shall be apportioned in the same manner as the members of the House of Representatives. No revision or amendment of this Constitution agreed upon by such convention shall take effect until the same has been submitted to the electors and approved by a majority of those voting thereon. Sec. 3. This article shall take in the constitution the place of Article XIII, which said article is hereby annulled. [Adopted Nov 6, 1973; Replaces Article 13, which only contained 1 section] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 075 015.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 1976 *** AMENDMENT 75 Article 43 Petit Jury Added as second sentence to section 15, Article 1. "In civil cases the general assembly may fix the size of the petit jury at less than twelve but not less than six." [November 2, 1976; Article I Section 15] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 076 009.0 001.0 0 RI 1843 1973 *** AMENDMENT 76 Article 44 All persons imprisoned ought to be bailed by sufficient surety, unless for offenses punishable by imprisonment for life, or for offenses involving the use or threat of use of a dangerous weapon by one already convicted of such offense or already convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment for life, when the proof of guilt is evident or the presumption great. Nothing in this section shall be construed to confer a right to bail, pending appeal of a conviction. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety shall require it; nor ever without the authority of the general assembly. [Adopted November 5, 1984; Article I Section 9] *** MEND *** *** CEND ***