COVID-19

ACCESS/RI, a coalition of groups working for open government in Rhode Island, sent a letter to Governor Daniel McKee urging him to issue an executive order that would allow public bodies to once again hold online meetings and require public bodies to provide remote access for members of the public. The coalition made the request in light of the current wave of infections caused by the Delta variant of Covid-19.

A coalition of more than two dozen grassroots organizations are kicking off the “Let RI Vote” campaign today, with voters, advocates and experts explaining the need to strengthen the Ocean State’s elections systems.

Common Cause Rhode Island is sponsoring two free, online events to gather Rhode Islanders’ perspectives on changes to: how government bodies hold public meetings; and how the state holds its elections.

Voters can also call nonpartisan hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. On Tuesday, voters who have questions or encounter problems can get help from trained volunteers who are part of the nation’s largest and longest-running nonpartisan voter assistance program.

A coalition of 20 community and voting rights groups called for Governor Gina M. Raimondo to issue an executive order allowing the state Board of Elections to count ballots that are postmarked by November 3rd and received by November 6th, and to count any ballots received by mail that arrive on November 4th.

In an important win for voting rights, the Supreme Court today rejected efforts to block Rhode Island from eliminating witness/notary requirements for vote by mail in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state had agreed to drop the requirements via consent decree, resolving a lawsuit brought on behalf of Common Cause of Rhode Island and others.