PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 20, 2008) – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is reminding Rhode Islanders who plan to run for office this year that they have from June 23-25 to file official Declarations of Candidacy.
Candidates for federal office must file the declarations with the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at 148 West River St., Providence. Anyone planning to run for state or local office must file with the board of canvassers in the city or town that is their legal residence.
“A number of other crucial dates in the election calendar are just around the corner. Ensuring our elections are accessible to those who vote and those who hope to serve is one of my priorities,” said Mollis.
The next important milestone is July 1, when candidates can pick up nomination papers. Candidates for federal office and state Senate and House districts in Providence can obtain the forms from the Secretary of State’s Elections Division. Candidates for all other state and local offices should pick up their papers at their local board of canvassers.
State law then gives candidates until July 11 to collect the signatures of enough eligible voters to officially put them on the ballot. The threshold ranges from 50 signatures for the state House of Representatives to 1,000 signatures for the U.S. Senate.
All the necessary forms as well as a calendar with every key date leading up to Rhode Island’s primary and general election are posted on the Secretary of State’s website.