PROVIDENCE, R.I. – December is a crucial month for presidential candidates and Rhode Island voters, according to Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.
Secretary Mollis has created a calendar that spells out the deadlines and steps presidential candidates and Rhode Islanders who want to be a delegate at one of the national political conventions must take leading up to the state’s March 4 presidential primary.
“Ensuring our elections are accessible to Rhode Islanders who vote and Rhode Islanders who wish to serve is one of my priorities,” says Secretary Mollis. “Government belongs to the people. The more information they have, the better they will govern.”
In order to be on the Rhode Island ballot, presidential candidates must file a “Statement of Intent” with the Secretary of State’s office from Dec. 5-7. Voters have until Dec. 5 to change political parties in order to vote in a different party’s presidential primary.
At the same time Rhode Islanders vote for a presidential candidate, they will elect delegates to the Republican and Democratic political conventions. Rhode Islanders who want to attend the Democratic or Republican convention as a delegate this summer must register to vote by Dec. 10 in order to be eligible to run March 4.
These dates are included in a 35-page guidebook and calendar created to assist campaigns, candidates and municipal elections officials with understanding Rhode Island election law.
Unlike past years when thousands of copies of the guides were printed, Secretary Mollis created only electronic copies of the guide and related forms, which are posted on his website at http://www.sec.state.ri.us/elections/ppp/ppp08.html.
“In keeping with my pledge to employ technology to improve Rhode Islander’s access to their government, the booklet will only be available on the web, where you can find it 24/7,” says Secretary Mollis. “This strategy saved Rhode Islanders the cost of printing thousands of paper copies of the guide and enables campaigns, citizens and candidates to post links on their own websites for voters and supporters to access.”
Among the crucial documents that are posted along with the guide on the Secretary of State’s website are the Statement of Intent form for presidential candidates and the Declaration of Candidacy and Pledge of Support forms for delegates.
These are fillable forms, which may be completed online. Even if candidates choose to complete them electronically, they must download the completed form, sign it and ensure it arrives at the Secretary of State’s office by the applicable deadline.