By Associated Press - Monday, April 28, 2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A House panel is scheduled to hear testimony on a bill that would eliminate straight-ticket voting in Rhode Island.

The House Judiciary Committee will take up the legislation Tuesday, along with various other election-related measures. The bill would do away with the option of voting for all the candidates of one party with a single ballot mark.

Critics of the so-called master lever say it confuses and disenfranchises voters and hurts nonpartisan candidates in other races.

A Senate committee heard the bill earlier this month but did not vote on it.

Also being heard are bills to make lawmakers’ terms in office four years, with a three-term limit, and to repeal the voter ID law.

Tuesday is the General Assembly’s first day back after a week off.

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