PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea announced today that there will be a special election in Senate District 8 to fill the seat of former Senator James E. Doyle, II on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Senate District 8 includes the city of Pawtucket.
"I appreciate Senator Doyle's service to the people of Rhode Island," Secretary Gorbea said. "We are working closely with the Board of Elections and the Pawtucket Board of Canvassers to make sure that eligible voters in Senate District 8 can elect their new representative in state government in an election process that is fair, fast, and accurate."
State law authorizes the Secretary of State to order a special election to fill a vacancy. The declaration period for candidates interested in running for the Senate District 8 seat will take place on January 18 and 19, 2018. A special Primary election will take place on February 27, 2018 if more than one candidate from either party qualifies for the ballot.
Special Election Calendar:
January 18-19, 2018: Deadline for candidates to file Declarations of Candidacy with the Pawtucket Board of Canvassers
January 22, 2018: Deadline for endorsements to be filed by party district committees
January 28, 2018: Last day to register to vote for the primary
January 30, 2018: Deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers to the Pawtucket Board of Canvassers
February 6, 2018: Last day to submit a mail ballot application for the primary
February 7-26, 2018: Emergency ballot period for the primary
February 27, 2018: PRIMARY
March 4, 2018: Last day to register to vote for the election
March 13, 2018: Last day to submit a mail ballot application for the election
March 14 - April 2, 2018: Emergency ballot period for the election
April 3, 2018: ELECTION
Media contact: Joseph Graziano jgraziano@sos.ri.gov (401) 222-2357