PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 8, 2007) – Lincoln residents will get the chance to influence the future of Rhode Island elections when they go to the polls this Saturday to vote on the expansion of the Twin River gaming facility.
Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis will conduct exit polls at all four Lincoln polling places in order to gauge the reaction voters have to Saturday voting. Mollis is considering submitting legislation in January that will pave the way to allow Rhode Islanders to vote on Saturdays as well as Tuesdays.
“We have sought a lot of public input over the past few months. More than 200 Rhode Islanders testified at the five public hearings we held around the state or mailed us their suggestions. But the response Lincoln voters give us will be our first hard data,” said Mollis.
This Saturday, Lincoln voters will be asked two questions pertaining to the expansion of Twin River:
· “Do you support the expansion of gaming hours at Twin River (formerly known as Lincoln Park) from its current closing hours to 24 hours per-day, 7 days per –week?”
· “Do you support the expansion of gaming operations at Twin River (formerly known as Lincoln Park) to include full-scale casino gambling operations including, but not limited to, table games?”
The four polling places are Lincoln Middle School at 152 Jenckes Hill Rd.; St. James Elementary School at 57 Division St. in the Manville section; Lonsdale Elementary School at 270 River Rd. in Lonsdale, and Saylesville Elementary School at 50 Woodland St. in Saylesville.
Saturday voting is among 10 proposals Mollis and his “Voters First Advisory Commission” are considering. Among the other topics are Photo ID and expanding the 50-foot “no-canvassing” zoning around at polling places that is off-limits to campaign workers.
“Improving the current system will make it easier for Rhode Islanders to vote and give them more faith in the fairness of our elections,” said Mollis.
Improvement is crucial. There are more than 677,000 registered voters in Rhode Island. Yet, barely half voted on Election Day last November.
For more information about the programs and services the Secretary of State offers Rhode Islanders, visit www.sec.state.ri.us.