PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 4, 2008) -- Using a borrowed lottery machine, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis has set the order in which the Democrat and Republican presidential candidates will appear on the ballot in the state’s March 4 primary.
"Uncommitted" will appear first on the Democratic ballot, following by Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama. John McCain was selected first in the GOP lottery. He will be followed on the Republican ballot by Ron Paul, Hugh Cort, Mitt Romney, Uncommitted, Alan Keyes and Mike Huckabee.
In a scene familiar to Rhode Islanders who watch the state’s lottery numbers selected on television, a representative from the R.I. Lottery removed specially calibrated, numbered white plastic balls as they floated to the top of the lottery machine. Each candidate was represented by a ball. Mollis announced the names of the candidates in the order the balls were drawn to an audience of about 20 candidates and elections officials.
The Secretary of State’s office also used the lottery machine to determine ballot position for the 184 Rhode Islanders who are competing for the right to attend the Democratic or Republican National Convention as a delegate.
Among the prominent names on the ballot are Governor Carcieri, former Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty, House Minority Leader Robert Watson, former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino and former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Myrth York.
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 Rhode Island’s presidential primary or registering to vote, visit www.sec.state.ri.us.