PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis announced today that four candidates have officially filed to run for Elizabeth Dennigan’s former House seat.
Filing for the House District 62 race are Democrat Mary Duffy Messier of Pawtucket, independents Brian Cinq-Mars of Pawtucket and Paul Dinsmore of East Providence, who challenged Dennigan as a Republican in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008; and Republican Thomas Clupny of East Providence.
State law required the contenders to submit official Declarations of Candidacy by 4 p.m. today. In order to file, the candidates had to be registered voters of the district, which stretches along the banks of the Seekonk River in East Providence and Pawtucket.
The next step begins this Tuesday, when the contenders can begin asking House District 62 voters to sign their nomination papers. The documents– including the signatures of at least 50 local voters – must be submitted to the local boards of canvassers by Oct. 27.
It won't be known which candidates will qualify for the ballot until the East Providence and Pawtucket boards of canvassers and the Secretary of State’s office have certified that the contenders submitted the required 50 valid signatures. The certification of signatures generally takes several days.
The special election became necessary when Dennigan resigned Oct. 1. While there will be no primary, there are several other crucial dates leading up to the Dec. 29 election. Nov. 28 is the deadline for registering to vote and mail ballots must be requested by Dec. 8.
As Secretary of State, Mollis oversees many aspects of federal, state and municipal elections held in Rhode Island. His office also publishes guidebooks that include important dates in the election cycle as well as outline how to run for office and how to register to vote.
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 registering to vote, visit www.sec.state.ri.us/elections.