Government: How the Game is Played

RIPEC Report on November 2018 Ballot Initiatives and State's Debt Position & Budget Outlook

PROVIDENCE R.I. (October 2018) – On November 6, Rhode Island voters will be asked to consider three ballot questions, which would authorize $589.5 million in additional debt costs, accounting for estimated interest and borrowing costs.  Today, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) released a report intended to assist voters as they consider these ballot initiatives.  The report provides an updated look at the state’s FY 2019 budget and out-years, based on the preliminary FY 2018 closing, as well as Rhode Island’s current debt position.  The purpose is to provide voters with information regarding the current financial position of the state and other related issues, which may be helpful when deciding whether to approve the referenda. The report also provides a summary of the 2018 ballot initiatives, and includes a set of questions for voter consideration.  The full report is available here.

WPRI Debates - Providence Mayoral, US Senate, RI Governor

Providence Mayoral Debate
Incumbent Democrat Jorge Elorza, and independent Dianne "Dee Dee" Witman.
https://www.wpri.com/on-air/newsmakers-1122018-providence-mayoral-debate/1568956402

Rhode Island US Senate Debate
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican challenger Robert Flanders.
https://www.wpri.com/on-air/watch-in-full-us-senate-debate-between-whitehouse-flanders/1507353993

Rhode Island Gubernatorial Debate
Democratic incumbent Gina Raimondo, Republican nominee Allan Fung and independent Joe Trillo
https://www.wpri.com/politics/watch-in-full-wpri-12-gubernatorial-debate/1480435225

Emergency Mail Ballot

Reminder: although it is too late to apply for a regular absentee ballot, you may still go to your local city/town hall and apply for an Emergency Mail Ballot. You can also download the Emergency Mail Ballot and return it to city/town hall before election day.
https://vote.sos.ri.gov/ovr/voters/emergency_ballot

Mayoral Candidate Forum - Audio online

The Providence League of Women Voters, in conjunction with URI's MPA Program at the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies hosted a Providence Mayoral Forum on September 4 at URI's Paff Auditorium on the Providence Campus. It was an informative night moderated by Scott MacKay a commentator for RIPR's (now the Public's Radio) Political Roundtable. Candidates shared their views on the proposed skyscraper in the city's jewelry district, how to solve billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, how to improve public schools, and more.

Candidates: ROBERT A DEROBBIO, Democrat: JEFFREY E LEMIRE, Independent (present but not participating); JORGE O ELORZA, Democrat; KOBI JASON DENNIS, Democrat; and DIANNE S WITMAN, Independent

Thanks to RIPR you can listen to the full discussion here.

Last day to register before the November 6th Election is October 7.

The League of Women Voters  of Providence will be at the Stephen Hopkins House, 15 Hopkins Street (corner of Benefit St) Providence, RI 02903 Saturday, October 6, from 10am to 4pm to register voters, make address changes and answer questions.

Primary Election is Wednesday (not Tuesday), September 12

Voting Reminder from the Providence League of Women Voters

Because some polling places have changed,  check the Secretary of State’s website for your spot.

Click onto “Find a Polling Place.”

 Vote. Vote. Vote.

Check your voter registration

If you registered to vote at the DMV this year, you can check your voter registration status at https://vote.sos.ri.gov/

Software glitch affects voter registration info for about 5,000 in RI
By: Ted Nesi 
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 05:56 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 31, 2018 09:13 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - About 5,000 voter registrations were processed incorrectly by the outside company that runs the official state website RI.gov, state officials confirmed Friday.

Joseph Graziano, a spokesman for Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, said her office learned earlier this month about "an issue regarding changes to voter records done through the online driver's license renewal webpage handled by RI.gov." The website is operated by NIC Inc., a publicly traded company based in Kansas.

Full Story

Emergency Mail Ballots

If circumstances arise within 20 days of an election, you can apply for an emergency mail ballot and vote at your local board of canvassers until 4 P.M. on the day before the election.

You can also apply for an emergency mail ballot and have it mailed to you or authorize someone to pick up your emergency mail ballot on your behalf within 20 days of an election. Remember that the State Board of Elections must receive your mail ballot by 8:00 P.M. on Election Day.

Download emergency mail ballot application:
https://vote.sos.ri.gov/…/pdfs/emergency_mail_ballot_primar…

Board of Canvassers list:
http://www.elections.state.ri.us/canvassers/

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 9 and 15 (belated)

Ward 15 
Posted: Aug 10, 2018 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 10, 2018 07:49 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Next up: the candidates for the Ward 15 City Council seat.

Councilwoman Sabina Matos is facing a primary challenge against Democrat Oscar Vargas to represent parts of the Olneyville, Valley and Silver Lake neighborhoods. The winner of the Sept. 12 primary will not have an opponent in the general election.

Ward 15 Voter Guide


Ward 9
Posted: Aug 20, 2018 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 20, 2018 12:01 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – It's round three for Councilwoman Carmen Castillo and Hector Jose.

Castillo has twice defeated Jose in the past, first in the 2011 special Democratic primary to fill the Ward 9 seat following the death of Miguel Luna, and again in 2014. Now the two will have their first head-to-head matchup in the Sept. 12 primary.

Ward 9 Voter Guide


Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 4
Ward 5
Ward 7
Ward 8
Ward 10
Ward 12
Ward 13

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - New! Wards 7 and 10

Ward 7
Posted: Aug 17, 2018 12:04 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 17, 2018 08:54 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The chairman of the most powerful City Council committee in Providence is facing a Democratic primary.

Councilman John Igliozzi, who serves as majority leader and chairman of the Finance Committee, is facing a challenge from David Marshall in Ward 7, which includes Silver Lake.

Ward 7 Voter Guide

Ward 10
Posted: Aug 15, 2018 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 15, 2018 12:01 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – It’s a rematch in Ward 10.

Providence City Councilman Luis Aponte is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Pedro Espinal, who lost by just 15 votes when the two squared off in 2006. Ward 10 includes the
Washington Park and Lower South Providence neighborhoods.

Ward 10 Voter Guide


Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 4
Ward 5
Ward 8
Ward 12
Ward 13

LWV Mayoral Debate

The Providence League of Women Voters, in conjunction with URI's MPA Program at Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies, is excited to announce, that it will host a Providence Mayoral Forum on September 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. at URI's Paff Auditorium on the Providence Campus, located at 80 Washington Street. The public is invited to hear the five candidates discuss the issues that affect the capital city.

Questions for the candidates may be sent to LWVProvidence@lwvri.org (please note that this address is case sensitive). Time will be limited, so we may not be able to ask all questions.

The program will be moderated by Scott MacKay a commentator for Rhode Island Public Radio's Political Roundtable.

Candidates:
ROBERT A DEROBBIO, Democrat
JEFFREY E LEMIRE, Independent
JORGE O ELORZA, Democrat
KOBI JASON DENNIS, Democrat
DIANNE S WITMAN, Independent

Dan McGowan's Voter Guide - Ward 4

Ward 4
Posted: Aug 13, 2018 12:03 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 13, 2018 12:03 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Another veteran Providence councilman is facing a challenge from the left.

This time it’s Councilman Nick Narducci, who has a Democratic primary matchup with progressive Jason Roias in Ward 4, which includes the North End. There are no other candidates running in the general election, so the Sept. 12 primary will decide who holds the seat.

Ward 4 Voter Guide

Rhode Island House District 4, Rhode Island Senate District 6, and Mayor of Providence Debates

UPRISE RI
August 10, 2018 - Steve Ahlquist - Elections 2018

Three Democratic party primary debates were held in Providence on Thursday evening at the Dr Martin Luther King Elementary School in  Providence Thursday evening. Candidates for Rhode Island House District 4, Rhode Island Senate District 6 and Mayor of Providence took questions from WPRI/Channel 12 reporter Dan McGowan and the audience, in an event that pushed the three-hour mark on a hot, sweaty night...

The debates were sponsored by the Mount Hope Neighborhood Association, Summit Neighborhood Association and Observatory Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with the Providence Cultural Equity Initiative.

Full Story

Primary Mail ballot applications due by August 22

Can't make it to the polls on Election Day? Remember you can still vote by mail.

For the first time in Rhode Island, Secretary Gorbea is including return postage for all mail ballots, making it easier to vote by mail.

Get the process started by downloading your mail ballot application today.

Primary - Democrat
Primary - Republican
Primary - Moderate
Primary - Non-Partisan

Fill out the application and send to your local board of canvassers by 4 p.m. on August 22.
Learn more about voting by mail.

Learn how to vote by mail at vote.ri.gov.

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 1, 2, 5, 8, 12 & 13

Ward 1

Posted: Aug 06, 2018 12:02 AM EDT

Updated: Aug 07, 2018 01:38 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – For the first time in 12 years, Providence’s Ward 1 has a competitive City Council race.

Councilman Seth Yurdin is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Justice Gaines in a ward that includes Fox Point, downtown and parts of the Wayland and College Hill neighborhoods.

Ward 1 Voter Guide

Ward 2

Posted: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

Updated: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The race to replace outgoing Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier is on.

Three Democrats – Helen Anthony, Ryan Holt and Mark Feinstein – are seeking to represent Ward 2, the East Side district that includes the College Hill, Wayland and Blackstone neighborhoods.

Ward 2 Voter Guide

Ward 5

Posted: Aug 03, 2018 05:56 AM EDT

Updated: Aug 03, 2018 06:22 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – One of the most vote-rich wards in Providence has a competitive City Council race.

First-term Democrat Jo-Ann Ryan is facing a primary challenge from Steven Cianci and Aaron Jaehnig in Ward 5, which includes the Mount Pleasant and Elmhurst neighborhoods. The primary is Sept. 12.

Ward 5 Voter Guide

Ward 8
Posted: Aug 08, 2018 12:02 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 08, 2018 08:51 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – If it’s election season in Providence, you can bet Ward 8 has a hot race.

Two-term Democratic incumbent Wilbur Jennings is facing primary challenges from James Taylor and Deya Garcia. The winner will take on independents Dave Talan and Carlos Diaz in the general election to represent the South Elmwood, Reservoir Triangle, West End neighborhoods that comprise Ward 8.

Ward 8 Voter Guide

Ward 12
Posted: Jul 27, 2018 12:13 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 07, 2018 01:36 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – With no one else on the ballot in the Democratic primary or general election, Katherine Kerwin is all but guaranteed to be the next councilperson in Providence’s Ward 12.

Kerwin will succeed longtime Councilman Terry Hassett, a Democrat who was first elected in 1997. Hassett did not qualify to appear on the ballot.

Ward 12 Voter Guide responses

Ward 13

Posted: Jul 31, 2018 08:01 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 01, 2018 09:07 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Ward 13 has been represented by only two councilors in the last 34 years: Democrats John Lombardi and Bryan Principe.

Now four new Democrats – Cyd McKenna, Rachel Miller, Raymond Berarducci and Leslie Papp – are vying to replace Principe, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election to represent the Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods he has served since 2011.

Ward 13 Voter Guide

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 2, 5, & 13

Ward 2

Posted: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

Updated: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The race to replace outgoing Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier is on.

Three Democrats – Helen Anthony, Ryan Holt and Mark Feinstein – are seeking to represent Ward 2, the East Side district that includes the College Hill, Wayland and Blackstone neighborhoods.

Ward 2 Voter Guide

Ward 5

Posted: Aug 03, 2018 05:56 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 03, 2018 06:22 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – One of the most vote-rich wards in Providence has a competitive City Council race.

First-term Democrat Jo-Ann Ryan is facing a primary challenge from Steven Cianci and Aaron Jaehnig in Ward 5, which includes the Mount Pleasant and Elmhurst neighborhoods. The primary is Sept. 12.

Ward 5 Voter Guide

Ward 13

Posted: Jul 31, 2018 08:01 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 01, 2018 09:07 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Ward 13 has been represented by only two councilors in the last 34 years: Democrats John Lombardi and Bryan Principe.

Now four new Democrats – Cyd McKenna, Rachel Miller, Raymond Berarducci and Leslie Papp – are vying to replace Principe, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election to represent the Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods he has served since 2011.

Ward 13 Voter Guide

Register for the Primaries!

There's still time to register to vote for the Primaries! The deadline for registration is August 13.

For more information: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 2 & 13

Ward 2
Posted: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT
Updated: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The race to replace outgoing Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier is on.

Three Democrats – Helen Anthony, Ryan Holt and Mark Feinstein – are seeking to represent Ward 2, the East Side district that includes the College Hill, Wayland and Blackstone neighborhoods.

Ward 2 Voter Guide

Ward 13
Posted: Jul 31, 2018 08:01 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 01, 2018 09:07 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Ward 13 has been represented by only two councilors in the last 34 years: Democrats John Lombardi and Bryan Principe.

Now four new Democrats – Cyd McKenna, Rachel Miller, Raymond Berarducci and Leslie Papp – are vying to replace Principe, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election to represent the Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods he has served since 2011.

Ward 13 Voter Guide

Providence seeks to borrow $160M for school repairs

By: Dan McGowan 
Posted: Jul 19, 2018 02:50 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 19, 2018 03:23 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Providence leaders are racing to add a question to the November ballot that would ask city voters for approval to borrow $160 million for school repairs over the next several years.

The bond question, which didn’t come to light until Thursday, will be introduced at Monday’s City Council meeting. In order to appear on the ballot, it must be approved before Aug. 8, which gives the council just over two weeks to vet the proposal.

Full Story