Leader Chippendale: 2026 H8282 - Opposes Electronic Nomination Signatures - House Session (43026)

Remarks by House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale (R District 40 - Coventry, Foster, Glocester) during floor debate on 2026 House Bill 8282.

Leader Chippendale voices strong opposition to the measure. Speaking from his perspective as a person with a disability, he argues that the existing requirement to physically gather 50 signatures is a necessary and achievable standard for public office. He further expresses concern that establishing an electronic portal for signatures could be exploited by political actors to easily place proxy candidates on the ballot and dilute electoral competition.

House Bill No. 8282
(Secretary of State)
BY Voas, Alzate, Stewart, Giraldo, Shanley, Edwards, Bennett, Dawson, Caldwell, Morales
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- NOMINATION OF PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES (Makes several amendments to provide for an online nomination paper portal for election nomination papers.)
{LC5962/1}
» http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8282.pdf

House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale
» https://www.rihousegop.org/leaderchippendale.html

Rhode Island House Republicans
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