As Rhode Islanders head to the polls today, the race that’s garnered the most attention is the 1st Congressional District contest between Democrat Gabe Amo and Republican Gerry Leonard. If Amo wins, he’d become the first person of color to represent the state in Congress.
But there’s another special election taking place in Rhode Island, as voters in the first senate district are deciding who will succeed Maryellen Goodwin, who died of cancer earlier this year. The choice is between Democrat Jake Bissaillon, chief of staff to Senate president Dominick Ruggerio, and Republican Niyoka Powell, second vice-chair of the Rhode Island Republican Party.
At the local level, nine municipalities are voting on over $1 billion in construction bonds, many of them school-related:
- In North Smithfield, voters are deciding whether to borrow $18 million for a new or renovated police station.
- Barrington voters are being asked to approve a $250 million bond for school repairs and upgrades.
- Bristol/Warren voters are deciding whether to give the green light to a $200 million bond to build a new high school.
- In Middletown, residents are considering a $190 million bond to construct a new middle-high school.
- Two bond questions are on the ballot in North Kingstown. One would approve a $222 million middle school building and a new public safety complex; the other is for a $25 million indoor recreation center that could also serve as an emergency shelter.
- Cumberland voters are being asked to sign off on a $52 million bond to build a new elementary school.
- In East Greenwich, voters are considering a $150 million bond for a new elementary school and repairs to other school buildings.
- Lincoln voters are deciding whether to approve $25 million in elementary school repairs and $14 million to construct a centralized Lincoln Rescue Station.
Go to vote.sos.ri.gov for more information on where and how to vote.
Morning Producer Joe Tasca can be reached at jtasca@thepublicsradio.org.
