Secretary Gorbea releases newly designed 2016 Voter Information Handbook
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea has released a newly designed
Voter Information Handbook to help prepare Rhode Island voters for the
November 8 General Election. The 2016 edition includes information on the
elimination of straight party voting; illustrations of voting procedures; a “voter
checklist” to help voters remember their voting choices; and an infographic
depicting the levels of government that have oversight of various policy issues. It
also shows voters how state ballot questions will appear on the November ballot and
explains bond financing in terms familiar to everyday Rhode Islanders.
“We want Rhode Island voters to feel confident heading to the polls. We re-designed
the voter handbook and used plain English with clear instructions that enable them
to come prepared on Election Day,” Secretary Gorbea said. “It’s important for Rhode
Islanders to remember that the General Election is not just their opportunity to
vote for President of the United States; they will also be asked to vote for members
of Congress, state and local leaders, as well as on a number of important ballot
questions.”
Statewide, there are seven questions voters will be asked to approve or reject,
including five questions that authorize the state to borrow money for capital
projects. The handbook includes short, easy to understand, explanations of each of
these questions and of how bond financing typically works.
Locally, there are 27 communities in which you may also be asked to approve or
reject municipal ballot questions. While voters in North Providence and Narragansett
have only one municipal ballot question, voters in Westerly will be asked to vote on
35 municipal questions. Secretary Gorbea encourages voters view their sample ballot
prior to Election Day by going to our online Voter Information Center
(vote.ri.gov
for more information about local ballot questions.
State law requires the Secretary of State’s office to publish and mail a referenda
guide to every residential household in Rhode Island prior to every general
election. The handbook is available in English and Spanish online at
sos.ri.gov
and will soon be mailed to every residential household in Rhode Island.
The voter registration deadline to vote in the November General election is Sunday,
October 9. Rhode Islanders can now register to vote online at vote.ri.gov or visit
their local board of canvassers to submit a paper form. For more information about
this year’s elections, visit sos.ri.gov/elections or call (401) 222-2340.