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Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole

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Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole

Today the Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to amend the Code of Ethics to close a loophole that allows public officials and employees to take unlimited gifts from lobbyists. The Commission did this at the request of Common Cause Rhode Island which filed a petition to close the loophole. This is the first time since 2012 that the Commission has voted to strengthen the state’s ethics laws.

Media Contacts

John Marion

Executive Director, Rhode Island
jmarion@commoncause.org
401-861-2322

Common Cause Rhode Island frequently provides commentary on democracy reform issues. To talk with John Marion please reach out using the contact information above.

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Election Protection Volunteers Will Be at the Polls to Help Rhode Island Voters

Press Release

Election Protection Volunteers Will Be at the Polls to Help Rhode Island Voters

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.

2020 Census Data Collection to End Tomorrow

Press Release

2020 Census Data Collection to End Tomorrow

The last full day for Rhode Islanders to complete the U.S. Census is tomorrow, October 15, 2020. To date, 99% of households in Rhode Island have been contacted by the Census Bureau, but that does not mean every Rhode Islander has been counted. Only 65.3% of households have provided a self-response.

Voting Access Coalition Calls for Executive Order to Count Ballots Mailed by Election Day, Received by November 6

Press Release

Voting Access Coalition Calls for Executive Order to Count Ballots Mailed by Election Day, Received by November 6

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.

Open Government Groups Call for Reversal of Executive Order Undercutting Transparency in State Rule-Making

Press Release

Open Government Groups Call for Reversal of Executive Order Undercutting Transparency in State Rule-Making

The ACLU of Rhode Island, Common Cause Rhode Island, and the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island have asked General Assembly leaders to repeal an Executive Order, (EO 20-72), issued last week by Governor Raimondo that undercuts transparency in government.

Supreme Court Rejects GOP Effort to Force Rhode Islanders to Risk Their Health to Vote During COVID-19 Pandemic

Press Release

Supreme Court Rejects GOP Effort to Force Rhode Islanders to Risk Their Health to Vote During COVID-19 Pandemic

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.

Groups Respond to RNC, Rhode Island GOP Appeal of Mail Ballot Case to Supreme Court

Press Release

Groups Respond to RNC, Rhode Island GOP Appeal of Mail Ballot Case to Supreme Court

Two weeks ago, the state of Rhode Island agreed to eliminate witness/notary requirements for vote by mail throughout the 2020 elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in a consent decree resolving a lawsuit. Today, the Republican National Committee and the Rhode Island Republican Party sought a stay of that consent decree from the U.S. Supreme Court.   

Groups Challenge Rhode Island Vote-By-Mail Requirements That Put Voters at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic

Press Release

Groups Challenge Rhode Island Vote-By-Mail Requirements That Put Voters at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic

The lawsuit seeks to block provisions of a state law that require Rhode Islanders who vote by mail to have two witnesses or a notary sign their ballot envelope, even in the midst of a highly contagious and deadly pandemic. These requirements necessitate face-to-face and hand-to-hand interaction between voters and others who pose a potentially fatal risk to the voters’ health.

17 Organizations Urge State Lawmakers to Pass Bills to Protect Voting Rights During Upcoming Elections

Press Release

17 Organizations Urge State Lawmakers to Pass Bills to Protect Voting Rights During Upcoming Elections

In advance of votes expected today in the Rhode Island General Assembly, 17 organizations concerned about voting rights call on the Senate and House of Representatives to pass two bills to protect the right of all Rhode Islanders to vote in the fall elections, and urge Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea to immediately send mail ballot applications to eligible Rhode Island voters for the September 8, 2020 primary election.

Voting Rights Organizations Urge Immediate Action ‘to safeguard the health of voters and preserve access to the ballot’ During Fall Elections

Press Release

Voting Rights Organizations Urge Immediate Action ‘to safeguard the health of voters and preserve access to the ballot’ During Fall Elections

In the absence of legislative action, and with only 10 weeks until Rhode Island’s September 8 primary, 16 organizations concerned about voting rights are urging state officials to take “immediate executive actions” to “avoid some of the problems we saw on June 2nd.”

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Voting Rights Groups announce ‘Safe and Healthy Voting in 2020 Act’

Press Release

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Voting Rights Groups announce ‘Safe and Healthy Voting in 2020 Act’

Following on the June 2 presidential primary, which saw 83% of all votes cast by mail, a coalition of Rhode Island organizations today announced legislation to implement mail-based voting in the September 8 state primary and the November 3 general election. 

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