§ 17-10-5. Canvass and correction of preliminary lists. (a) The local board shall, before the twentieth (20th) day preceding each election, meet and canvass the preliminary lists and hear objections to the inclusion or omission of any person as a registered voter, and it shall at that time make a final canvass and correction of the registration files. It shall give notice of the time and place of the meeting, for at least ten (10) days previous to it, by posting notices of the meeting in the same manner as required by this chapter for the posting of the preliminary list, and by publication once, at least ten (10) days previous to the meeting, in one or more newspapers having general circulation in the city or town. At or following the meeting, the local board shall strike from the lists and direct the cancellation of the registration of every person who is not qualified to vote at the election for which the final canvass is made, and shall immediately notify the secretary of state of that action. No registration shall be cancelled or a voter's right to vote be otherwise limited based upon a finding that the voter no longer resides within the city or town unless the voter has confirmed either in person or in writing that the voter no longer resides within the city or town or the board has received written evidence that the voter has registered to vote within another city or town or in another state.

(b) The local boards may meet and canvass the voting lists of any senatorial district, representative district or districts, ward or wards, or voting district or districts in any senatorial or representative district, ward, or voting district, or at their office or other previously designated place, at any other convenient time or times, on the same day or different days, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.

History of Section. (G.L. 1909, ch. 8, § 3; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 8, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 313, § 3; P.L. 1951 (s.s.), ch. 2870, § 6; P.L. 1952, ch. 2897, § 2; P.L. 1956, ch. 3746, § 1; G.L. 1956, §§ 17-10-8, 17-10-14; G.L. 1956, § 17-10-6; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 209, § 4; P.L. 1966, ch. 116, § 6; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 7; P.L. 1978, ch. 203, § 1; G.L., § 17-10-5; P.L. 1994, ch. 171, § 5.)