HB 7378 Rhode Island House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES

HB 7378 requires local election boards to provide clearer voter information about ballot questions, early voting, and registration deadlines. It mandates posting local ballot questions (including bond costs and project details for financial measures) in public spaces, in local newspapers, or via mailed notices to households, and publishing all details on municipal websites for 25 days before elections. The bill also requires early voting locations and hours to be advertised in newspapers and posted online throughout the voting period, with accessibility compliance. These changes directly affect local election boards and voters by standardizing how election information is delivered.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action May 1, 2026
Floor votes · House Apr 30, 2026

How they voted

650
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 74
Apr 30, 2026
D Democratic63
56 Yea 7
88% Yea
I Independent1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican10
8 Yea 2
80% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
3
May 1, 2026
Committee
05/01/2026 Referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
Apr 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
04/30/2026 House read and passed
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Legislature · Passed
03/31/2026 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Mar 10, 2026
Committee
03/10/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Jan 28, 2026
Introduced
01/28/2026 Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors