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Rhode IslandS21472026 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARY ELECTIONS .

Sponsored By: John P. Burke (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Rhode Island primary shifts near Labor Day

The law sets party primaries on the eighth Tuesday before Rhode Island’s biennial state election. If that Tuesday is the day after Labor Day, the primary is held on Wednesday instead. Even when moved, all candidate filing, challenges, objections, hearings, withdrawals, vacancies, and certifications are still timed as if the primary were on Tuesday. No other election deadlines change. The law takes effect upon passage.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John P. Burke

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Matthew L. LaMountain

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 98 • No: 2

House vote • 4/16/2026

ELECTIONS -- PRIMARY ELECTIONS PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 64 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARY ELECTIONS Passage

Yes: 34 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 014

    4/20/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    4/16/2026Governor

  3. House passed Sub A in concurrence

    4/16/2026House

  4. Placed on House Calendar (04/16/2026)

    4/10/2026House

  5. Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence

    4/7/2026

  6. Scheduled for consideration (04/07/2026)

    4/3/2026

  7. Referred to House State Government & Elections

    4/1/2026House

  8. Senate passed Sub A

    3/31/2026Senate

  9. Placed on Senate Calendar (03/31/2026)

    3/27/2026Senate

  10. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    3/26/2026

  11. Proposed Substitute

    3/24/2026

  12. Scheduled for consideration (03/26/2026)

    3/24/2026

  13. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    2/26/2026

  14. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/26/2026)

    2/23/2026

  15. Meeting postponed (02/24/2026)

    2/23/2026

  16. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration

    2/20/2026

  17. Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

    1/16/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • S2147 - As Introduced

    1/16/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • S2147 - Substitute

    1/16/2026

    HTMLPDF

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