A guide to what’s on your ballot this year.

This is a general presidential election year, meaning the top choice on your ballot is for president of the United States. But that’s not the only decision you’ll be asked to make on this year’s ballot in Rhode Island. 

There are seven statewide questions to approve or reject, members of Congress to choose, and other state and local leaders to decide on. Keep in mind your ballot will have different options depending on where you live. Check here to see a sample ballot for your area, and visit RIPR’s RhodyVotes ’16 page for in-depth coverage of select races.

When is the election?

  • Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
  • Most polling places in Rhode Island open at 7 am (check your polling place before you go here).
  • All polling locations close at 8 pm.

Where do I vote?

·         Look up your polling place here.

What’s on my ballot?

To preview a sample ballot, find your polling place here, and then click on the link to see a sample ballot in your area.

In general, you will be asked to decide on:

– President and Vice President of the United States (note there are a three third-party candidates officially running, in addition to frontrunners Clinton and Trump):

– Seven statewide questions: 

Question 1 (CASINO): Approve or reject an act that would authorize a state-run casino at Twin River-Tiverton.

Question 2 (ETHICS): Approve or reject an amendment to the state’s constitution that would restore the ethics’ commission’s jurisdiction of General Assembly members. 

Question 3 (VETERANS BOND): Authorize or reject the state’s request to borrow $27 million dollars to complete a new home for veterans that is already under construction.

Question 4 (HIGHER ED BOND): Authorize or reject the state’s request to borrow $45.5 million dollars to fund higher education-related construction projects at the University of Rhode Island. 

Question 5 (PORTS BOND): Authorize or reject the state’s request to borrow $70 million dollars to fund improvements to the Port of Davisville at Quonset and the Port of Providence.

Question 6 (ENVIRONMENT BOND): Authorize or reject the state’s request to borrow $35 million dollars to improve state parks, preserve open space, develop bikeways, clean up contaminated land, reduce storm water pollution, and other environmental projects.

Question 7 (HOUSING BOND): Authorize or reject the state’s request to borrow $50 million dollars to build new affordable housing and redevelop blighted urban areas. 

– Representatives in Congress (for your district)

– State Senate (for your district)

– State Representative (for your district)

– Local races

– Local questions

More information:

  • For more information about the November 8 election, visit the Secretary of State’s web site for a thorough voters’ guide, details about your polling place, and more.
  • Want the latest election news? Find RIPR’s election coverage, Rhody Votes ’16, here.