PROVIDENCE, R.I. (July 10, 2008) -- Rhode Island will know this Friday who is still in the running for local, state and federal office. July 11 is the deadline for candidates to submit the signatures of enough eligible Rhode Island voters to get on the ballot this year, according to Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.
Rhode Islanders can track the progress of all of the candidates who are vying for a spot on the ballot by visiting the Secretary of State’s web site. Every morning through July 18 Mollis will update the number of signatures that have been certified for every candidate in their quest to appear on the ballot.
“This is a very exciting time for American and Rhode Island politics. Rhode Islanders are becoming extremely active in the governmental process as evidenced by the high turnout of voters we had in March and the great number of candidates in this year’s election cycle,” said Mollis.
The 2,800 Rhode Islanders who filed declarations of candidacy last month have had since July 1 to collect at least 50 signatures for the state House of Representatives and many municipal offices to 1,000 signatures for the U.S. Senate.
Mollis has until July 18 to certify the signatures in order for candidates to officially be placed on the ballot for the September 9 primary or November 4 election.
At 5 p.m. on July 18, Mollis will hold a public lottery at the State House to determine the order in which unendorsed candidates for Congress and the General Assembly will appear on primary ballots. The lottery will also determine the order in which recognized political parties and independent candidates will appear on the ballot for November\'s election.
A calendar with every key date leading up to Rhode Island’s primary and general election is also posted on Mollis’ web site.
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 the programs and services the Secretary of State offers Rhode Islanders, visit www.sec.state.ri.us.
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