The Rhode Island House of Representatives recently approved a bill from Rep. Jennifer Boylan  (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) that would extend the deadline for candidates to request a recount so that all overseas ballots are counted before the deadline passes.

The bill stems from a situation that occurred last election cycle in Barrington.

“Extending the deadline is a simple fix that will impact very few elections but will ensure that candidates who trail in close elections have an opportunity to request a recount,” said Rep. Boylan. “Just last year in my hometown of Barrington, we had a vivid reminder that the deadline for all ballots to be received and recorded does not match up with the deadline for a losing candidate to request a recount. 

“Thankfully, due to the generosity of one of the candidates a recount still proceeded, giving our community peace of mind concerning the outcome of a very close election. This bill makes sure that the assurance of a recount won’t be left up to chance in future close elections.”

Rep. Boylan’s bill (2025-H 5384) would extend the deadline to request a recount from seven to nine days to allow candidates to know the vote totals after all military and overseas ballots are counted before they must choose whether to request a recount.

Under current state law, a candidate has seven days after Election Day to request a recount from the State Board of Elections. However, military and overseas ballots are still tallied if they are received by 4 p.m. on the same day as the deadline. 

As the election of councilor Jordan Jancosek to the Barrington Town Council showed last year, this means a candidate might not know they are trailing until it is too late to request a recount.

Jancosek requested a recount during the seven-day window, at the end of which she trailed candidate Brian Hughes by 10 votes. The next day, when all the military and overseas ballots were tabulated, she led Hughes by nine votes. 

Because the deadline to request a recount had then passed, she could have withdrawn her request and Hughes would have been unable to request a recount.

Jancosek chose not to rescind her request and was ultimately confirmed as the winner by 11 votes in the recount.

“I am pleased to see HB 5384 moving forward out of the House,” Jancosek said. “This is a great first step towards establishing a more equitable recount process. It is my hope that the fine-tuning of this process will continue in the future, working with the Rhode Island Board of Elections to create a more reasonable and fair process for candidates for office in close elections. I am grateful to Representative Boylan for her swift work and action on this bill, and the House for supporting its passage.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, where Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) has introduced companion legislation (2025-S 0541).

“The right to request a recount is an important part of our election processes, and we should ensure that all votes are tabulated before the recount request deadline so candidates have as much time and information as possible to decide whether or not to make a request,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “I appreciate the work of Representative Boylan to introduce this bill and thank the House of Representatives for their support.”