PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is reminding North Kingstown residents that three deadlines loom in the upcoming special election that will determine the future of the former Wickford Elementary School among other issues.
Aug. 13 is the deadline to register to vote in the Sept. 13 election. North Kingstown residents can register at Town Hall on weekdays during normal business hours. Even though the deadline falls on a Saturday, town hall will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for last-minute registrations.
State law requires Rhode Islanders to register at least 30 days before an election. In order to register and vote in the special election, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of North Kingstown and a U.S. citizen.
In addition to first-time voters, the deadline also applies to voters who have moved or changed their names recently. State law requires voters to update their voter-registration records at least 30 days before an election.
Aug. 23 is the deadline to request a mail ballot. Completed mail ballots must be received by the North Kingstown Board of Canvassers by 9 p.m. on the day of the election.
Voter-registration forms and mail-ballot applications can be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website at sos.ri.gov/elections.
After the deadline for requesting a mail ballot passes, voters who unexpectedly will be unable to voter at their polling place on day of the election can go to town hall during normal business hours through Sept. 12 and request an Emergency Ballot.
There will be three questions on the ballot. Question 1 is an $850,000 bond issue to finance the installation of artificial turf and make related improvements to McGinn Park Field.
Question 2 is a $3.85 million bond issue to convert the former Wickford Elementary School into a combined town hall and administrative offices for the School Department. The final ballot question would give the town council the authority to sell the school in the event the bonds are not issued.
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 calendar as well as outline how to run for office and how to register and 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 elections and voting, visit sos.ri.gov/elections.
#######
MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Barnett at 222-4293 or cbarnett@sos.ri.gov