Friday, June 26, 2020

Change coming in RI candidates' signature requirements

ACLU announces a win in court to allow for on-line signatures
By Will Collette

ImageIn normal years, this is the time when candidates for local office get ready to collect enough signatures on their nomination papers to qualify for local office.

That has usually meant going door-to-door, setting up a table outside of Rippy's or the Mini-Super, or holding a signing ceremony in a convenient central location.

However, that requires a lot of face-to-face and hand-to-hand contact which has become a serious public health danger in this coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, the RI ACLU files a lawsuit to make the process of getting signatures on nomination papers less dangerous.

Today, the ACLU announced a ruling that is a positive step forward.

There are not many details available. The RI Board of Elections will have to quickly come up with a method to comply with the judge's order.

Here is the RI ACLU Tweet announcing the court ruling: