PROVIDENCE, R.I. — With voters in four Rhode Island communities set to go to the polls tomorrow, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is offering voters some advice to help make casting their ballot as easy as possible.
“Be prepared to make your voice heard. Voting is the best opportunity most of us have to have a say in the future of our community," said Mollis.
Central Falls, Jamestown and Woonsocket have off-year elections. The fourth community -- North Kingstown -- has a referendum.
To avoid delays at the polls, Mollis advises voters to use the Voter Information Center on his website at to find out where they will vote, to confirm their eligibility to vote and to see a sample of the ballot they will use.
Sixteen polling places will be open in Woonsocket, where there are races for mayor, city council and school committee. Central Falls will open eight polling places for its race for mayor and the Ward 1 council seat.
In Jamestown, three polling places will be open. Seven candidates are competing for five seats on the town council and four candidates are competing for three seats on the school committee. In addition, voters will be asked to decide 12 referenda questions related to the Jamestown Home Rule Charter.
Among the questions is one that would move Jamestown’s elections to even-numbered years, which would bring it in line with 36 other cities and towns. Voters will also be asked to decide whether to amend the charter to require the town to employ a town planner.
Two polling places will be open in North Kingstown, where voters will be asked to decide a $10 million bond for sewer construction. The ballot question would also authorize the town to impose sewer assessments and user fees.
Central Falls and North Kingstown polls will open at 7 a.m. Jamestown and Woonsocket polls will open one hour later. The polls in all four communities will close at 9 p.m.
Any eligible voter in line when the doors close at 9 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot. Voters are allowed to bring a marked sample ballot or other material that will help them in the voting booth.
If a voter’s name is not on the voter registration list at the polling place and the voter swears that he or she has registered to vote in that precinct, the voter is eligible to vote a provisional ballot. Which will be counted if elections officials determine the voter’s claim is valid.
Voters who unexpectedly find they will be out-of-town on Election Day can go to their town or city hall through Nov. 2 and request an Emergency Ballot. The only requirement is that they must be eligible to vote on Election Day in order to qualify for the special ballot.
As Secretary of State, Mollis oversees many aspects of federal, state and municipal elections held in Rhode Island. His office also publishes guidebooks that include important dates in the election cycle as well as outline how to run for office and how to register to vote.
Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier for Rhode Islanders to vote, helping businesses grow and making government more open and accessible. For more information about registering to vote, visit www.sec.state.ri.us/elections.
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