Bond referenda voting will be set up to accommodate mail-in and early voting
The seven
referenda questions on the ballot involve authorizing the state to borrow money
through bonds and temporary notes to make capital investments in several
different areas. A complete list of the bond questions and the costs associated
can be found below.
"Your
vote is your voice in how Rhode Island allocates funding on issues important to
you - things like education, roads and bridges, housing, and childcare,"
said Secretary Gorbea. "Your vote matters and is critical to our state's
success. I encourage all eligible Rhode Islanders to make a difference and be a
voter."
As
in last November's general election, voters will have three options to cast
their ballot in the March 2 special election. Voters may choose to cast their
ballot by mail, early in-person up to 20 days before the election, or at the
polls on Election Day.
To ensure that all voters have the option of voting safely and securely from home, Secretary Gorbea will once again send all active registered voters a mail ballot application.
Mail ballot applications will begin arriving in mailboxes the week of January 18. Voters will once again be able to track the status of their mail ballot application and their mail ballot on vote.ri.gov.
All
voters will also be mailed a Voter Information Handbook in early February. The
Voter Information Handbook will outline the bond questions in detail, as well
as voting procedures in Rhode Island. This information will also be made
available on vote.ri.gov. Below is a list of key dates for the March 2
statewide special election.
Special
Referenda Election Schedule
• Sunday, January 31: Deadline to register to vote
• Tuesday, February 9: Deadline to submit mail ballot applications
• Wednesday, February 10: Early in-person voting period begins
• Monday, March 1: Early in-person voting period ends at 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 2: Special Referenda Election, polls open
State
Bond Questions
Question and Principal Balance
1) Higher Education Facilities: $107,300,000
2) Beach, Clean Water and Green Bond: $74,000,000
3) Housing and Community Opportunity: $65,000,000
4) Transportation Infrastructure State Match: $71,700,000
5) Early Childhood Care and Education Capital Fund: $15,000,000
6) Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program and State Preservation Grants Program: $7,000,000
7)
Industrial Facilities Infrastructure: $60,000,000
TOTAL
BORROWING COSTS: $400,000,000
