A. The Rhode Island Board of Elections hereby adopts rules and regulations relating to nomination papers, and persons obtaining signatures pursuant to and in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-14-10 et seq., as amended.

B. Said rules and regulations are proposed pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35 et seq.) and are available for public inspection at the offices of the Rhode Island Board of Elections, 50 Branch Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island.

The within rules and regulations are proposed by the Board of Elections to ensure the orderly conduct of elections and enforce the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-14-10.

"Person" means any individual who obtains signatures of voters upon nomination papers.

"Presence" means close physical proximity coupled with awareness sufficient to allow the affiant to witness each voter's signature.

A. The person obtaining signatures of voters in support of nomination papers must personally witness the signature of each person and shall attest before a notary public that each person who signed the nomination papers appeared personally before him or her and signed the nomination papers in the actual presence of the affiant. Said affiant must have personal knowledge that each person actually signed the document.

B. If it is discovered that any signature(s) are not obtained in the "presence" of the person obtaining signatures, then the Board of Elections may strike each invalidly obtained signature from the nomination papers.

A. The Board of Elections may promulgate procedures and forms necessary to implement the within rules and regulations required under the Rhode Island General Laws.

B. These rules and regulations were adopted at a meeting of the State Board of Elections held on the 24th day of March 2010 pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-1, et seq.). By Order of the Rhode Island Board of Elections.