NEARI members on the House floor speaking with Rep. Biah

Elections have consequences. That's why we must elect champions of public education.

NEARI is leading the way. We are the strongest force for public education and democracy in Rhode Island.

In 2024, Rhode Islanders will determine who is elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, the Rhode Island Senate, and many school committee and other local races.

Voting for pro-public education, pro-worker candidates at the state and local level is one of the most effective ways to stand up for public schools and working families.

CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION

WAYS TO VOTE

Be registered
- You must register by Sunday, October 6 to vote in the General Election.
- Register online. To register online, go to the Voter Information Center. Remember to have your Rhode Island driver's license or state ID ready.
- Register by Mail. To register by mail, download the voter registration form. Mail the completed form to your local board of canvassers.
- Register in person. To register in person, download the voter registration form. Bring the completed form to your local board of canvassers.
- Same-day Registration. Rhode Island allows same-day voter registration for presidential elections only. If you miss the voter registration deadline, you can register to vote on Election Day, but you will only be able to vote for President and Vice President. You will not be able to vote in any state, local, or other federal races. You can only register and vote on Election Day at the location designated by your local board of canvassers.
- Make sure your voter registration is current by checking your registration information at vote.sos.ri.gov.
Know your Voter Rights!
- The right to vote is one of the most important rights we have as an American citizen and as Rhode Islanders. Visit the Voter Information Center for more.
Voting in person on Election Day. The General Election will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls open from 7am until 8pm. Note if you are in line by 8 o'clock, you have the right to vote. Find your polling place!
Vote by mail. You can request a mail ballot application now until October 15! Learn more about voting by mail here.
Early, in-person voting. Any voter can vote early at their local board of canvassers starting Wednesday, October 16 until Monday, November 4. Learn about early voting here.

KNOW BEFORE YOU VOTE

Sample Ballot: Sample ballots are available so you can research and make your voting plan. Click here to access your personal sample ballot.

Photo ID - Rhode Island state law requires voters to present a valid photo ID at the polling place before being allowed to vote. The following is a list of photo IDs you can show at the polling place. The ID cannot have expired more than 6 months before the election:

RI driver's license/permit
US passport
ID card issued by any federally recognized tribal government
ID card issued by an educational institution in the United States
US military identification card
ID card issued by the US government or State of Rhode Island (RIPTA bus pass, etc.)
Government issued medical card
RI Voter ID card

Please note that RI Driving Privilege Cards or Permits are not acceptable forms of Voter IDs.

Make sure you are ready to be a voter! Visit your personal Voter Information Center to familiarize yourself with your polling location, your ballot, and what races and issues you will be voting on.

THE RECOMMENDATION PROCESS

The NEARI Political Action Committee for Education (NEARI-PACE) is a Political Action Committee (PAC) established and funded by members of NEARI to recommend and support public education and pro-worker champions for local, state, and federal office. No dues dollars enter the PAC; dues and donations are completely separate funds.

The NEARI-PACE (often called RIPACE) recommendation process is member-driven, and candidates running for office have the opportunity to seek the recommendation of RIPACE.

Candidates seeking the RIPACE recommendation engage with members in a number of ways, including the completion of a candidate questionnaire, and participating in a question and answer session with committee members during the RIPACE screening interviews.

READ THE RELEASE

Federal Candidates

KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT

Kamala Harris’ vision for our future, strong values, and history of public service prove her ability to create opportunities for all Americans.

Educators know the importance of electing leaders who care about students, public schools, and families. These candidates share our values and commitment to public education.

House District	Endorsed Candidate	City or Town(s)
15	Maria Bucci	Cranston
16	Representative Brandon Potter	Cranston
21	James McElroy	Warwick
22	Representative Joseph Solomon Jr.	Warwick
27	Representative Patricia Serpa	West Warwick, Coventry
28	Scott Guthrie	Coventry
31	Representative Julie Casimiro	North Kingstown, Exeter
33	Representative Carol Hagan McEntee	South Kingstown, Narragansett
34	Representative Teresa Tanzi	South Kingstown, Narragansett
35	Representative Kathleen Fogarty	South Kingstown
39	Representative Megan Cotter	Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton
42	Kelsey Coletta	Johnston, Cranston
43	Representative Deborah Fellela	Johnston
44	Representative Gregory Costantino	Lincoln, Smithfield, Johnston
45	Representative Mia Ackerman	Cumberland, Lincoln
46	Representative Mary Ann Shallcross Smith	Lincoln, Pawtucket
53	Bernard Hawkins	Smithfield, Glocester
57	Representative Brandon Voas	Cumberland, Central Falls
61	Representative Leonela Felix	Pawtucket
66	Representative Jennifer Smith Boylan	Barrington, East Providence
68	Representative June Speakman	Bristol, Warren
69	Representative Susan Donovan	Bristol, Portsmouth
70	Representative John Edwards	Tiverton

Senate District	Endorsed Candidate	City or Town(s)
5	Senator Sam Bell	Providence
8	Lori Urso	Pawtucket
10	Senator Walter Felag	Warren, Bristol, Tiverton
13	Senator Dawn Euer	Newport, Jamestown
19	Senator Ryan Pearson	Cumberland, Lincoln
24	Senator Melissa Murray	Woonsocket, North Smithfield
25	Andrew Dimitri	Johnston
26	Todd Patalano	Cranston
29	Peter Appollonio	Warwick
31	Senator Matthew LaMountain	Warwick, Cranston
37	Senator V. Susan Sosnowski	South Kingstown
38	Senator Victoria Gu	Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown

MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES

*RIPACE is still finalizing candidates for endorsement if applicable.

BALLOT QUESTIONS

On statewide ballot questions, NEARI-PACE recommends voters vote No on Question 1 and vote Yes on Questions 2-5.

Rhode Island Constitional Convention? Reject Question 1

In November, voters will be asked whether or not the State should hold a constitutional convention. We urge you to reject Question 1 in November by voting "no" to the calling of a convention, which could be disastrous for Rhode Islanders' rights and liberties.

What is Question 1?

Question 1 will ask voters if they approve the calling of a state constitutional convention.

A vote to “approve” Question 1 means you do want a constitutional convention to happen; a vote to “reject” means you do not want a constitutional convention to happen.

Under our state Constitution, this question is asked every 10 years.

What is a constitutional convention?

A constitutional convention is when elected delegates from across the state are charged with proposing amendments to the state Constitution. There are no limits on what amendments can be proposed once a convention meets.

The last state constitutional convention in the nation was held in Rhode Island in 1986 — 40 years ago — and led to the passage of a number of anti-civil rights amendments to our Constitution.

Why would a constitutional convention be a threat to civil liberties?

While a constitutional convention is often billed as an opportunity for voters to have a direct voice in state government, it’s not that simple.

For example, there is no limit to how much money can be spent by special interest groups outside of our state to influence what amendments get put on the ballot, meaning Rhode Islanders don’t actually have total control of what happens. Conventions are also likely to be extremely political, as many of the people who get elected as delegates to the convention have political connections.

What happened at the last constitutional convention?

At Rhode Island’s last constitutional convention in 1986, the convention proposed, and the voters approved, an anti-abortion amendment, an amendment restricting the fundamental right to bail, and an amendment expanding the number of people losing their right to vote because of a criminal record. As this suggests, the convention process is very unlikely to protect the rights of the minorities.

For details on other "highlights" from 1986, visit the RI Citizens for Responsible Government website. NEARI is a coalition partner of this organization.

What can I do to help?

The most important thing, other than voting “no” on Question 1, is to spread the word. Tell your friends, family, and coworkers about why a Constitutional Convention could be devastating for our rights and liberties, and urge them to make a voting plan for the November election to reject Question 1.

Approve Referenda Questions 2 – 5

Questions 2-5 involve authorizing the State to borrow money through bonds and temporary notes to make capital investments (Chapter 117 Public Laws 2024). Remember these are statewide questions, your city or town may have local bond questions in addition. Be sure to make your voting plan! View your sample ballot in advance at vote.sos.ri.gov

What is a bond?

A bond is like a mortgage or loan. Just like people might borrow money to get an education or buy a home, the State is asking to borrow money from a lender with the promise to pay it back over time with interest. These questions are asking you for permission to borrow and invest in different areas of our state.

Question 2: Higher Education Facilities - $160,500,000

For capital improvements to higher education facilities, to be allocated as follows:

University of Rhode Island Biomedical Sciences Building - $87,500,000
Rhode Island College Cybersecurity Building - $73,000,000

Question 3: Housing and Community Opportunity - $120,000,000

To increase the availability of housing, support community revitalization, and promote home ownership, to be allocated as follows:

Affordable Housing - $80,000,000
Acquisition and Revitalization - $10,000,000
Homeownership - $20,000,000
Site Acquisition - $5,000,000
Housing Related Infrastructure - $4,000,000
Municipal Planning - $1,000,000

Question 4: Green Economy Bonds - $53,000,000

For environmental and recreational purposes, to be allocated as follows:

Port of Davisville Infrastructure at Quonset - $15,000,000
Climate Resiliency - $2,000,000
Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development - $5,000,000
Local Recreation Projects - $5,000,000
Municipal Resiliency - $10,000,000
Newport Cliff Walk - $3,000,000
Agricultural Land Preservation Commission - $5,000,000
Open Space Program - $3,000,000
Forests and Habitat Management - $5,000,000

Question 5: Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program - $10,000,000

For purposes of funding for 1:1 matching grants to continue the Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) for capital improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and non-profit artistic centers, performance centers, museums, and cultural art centers located throughout the State of Rhode Island, to be allocated as follows:

Tomaquag Museum - $2,000,000
Newport Contemporary Ballet - $2,000,000
Trinity Repertory Company - $2,000,000
Other funds to be allocated by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts - $4,000,000

Want to dive deeper into each question?

Check out the Secretary of State's Voter Information Guide.

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