PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Islanders should not be surprised to find politicians asking for their autograph for the next few days. Candidates have until Fri., July 16, to collect the signatures of enough voters to put them on this year's ballot.
"Be prepared for candidates to knock on your door and approach you at the market and the beach. The sheer number of candidates competing for office this year means you may be asked over and over again," said Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.
More than 4,000 people filed official declarations of candidacy by last week's deadline, according to Mollis. That is up 40 percent compared to 2008.
"We set new records for voter registration and turnout two years ago. It looks like that wave of public engagement is carrying over to 2010," said Mollis.
State law gives candidates until July 16 to collect the signatures of enough eligible voters to officially qualify them to appear on the ballot. The threshold ranges from 50 signatures for the state House of Representatives and many municipal offices to 1,000 signatures for Governor.
The next milestone in the state's election calendar is July 19, which marks the deadline for the public to file objections to the eligibility of local candidates. Local boards of canvassers must rule on any objections to a candidate's signatures by July 21.
July 23 is the last chance for the public to file objections to the eligibility of candidates running at the state and federal level. It is also the deadline for Secretary of State's office to certify the nominating papers in order for candidates to officially be placed on the ballot for the September 14 primary and November 2 election.
At 5:30 p.m. on July 23, Mollis will hold a public lottery at the State House to determine the order in which unendorsed Democratic and Republican candidates for local, state and federal office will appear on primary ballots. The lottery will also determine the order in which recognized political parties and independent candidates will appear on the ballot for November's election.
Many of the necessary forms as well as a calendar with every key date leading up to Rhode Island's primary and general election are posted on Mollis' website.
Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier for Rhode Islanders to vote, helping businesses grow and making government more open and accessible. For more information about the programs and services the Secretary of State offers Rhode Islanders, visit www.sos.ri.gov.