Requires party chairpersons to submit lists of party voters to the mayor or council president within 30 days of notice of vacancy in a municipal election office and mayor/council president are required to make a replacement nomination within 30 days.

Plain-English Summary

This bill sets up a clear timeline for filling vacant positions on local election boards (called "canvassing authorities") in Rhode Island municipalities. Right now, when one of these seats opens up, there may be no firm deadline for political parties or local officials to act. This bill would change that by requiring specific steps to happen within defined timeframes.

Here's how the process would work under this bill: When a vacancy occurs on a local election board, the chairperson of the relevant political party would have 30 days to submit a list of eligible party members who could fill the position. Then, the mayor or city/town council president would have another 30 days to choose someone from that list and formally nominate a replacement. This ensures the seat doesn't sit empty for an extended or indefinite period.

The people most directly affected are local political party leaders, mayors, and council presidents, who would now have legal deadlines they must meet. Residents also benefit indirectly, since local election boards oversee important functions like voter registration and certifying election results — so keeping these boards fully staffed helps ensure local elections run smoothly. The bill essentially adds accountability and predictability to a process that currently may lack clear rules about timing.