Around New England

Rhode Island Pushes Back Presidential Primaries

March 24, 2020

The Rhode Island presidential primaries will happen later than anticipated this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, a Democrat, signed an executive order on Monday, March 23 pushing back the state’s presidential primaries from April 28 to June 2.

The Rhode Island Board of Elections wants the 2020 presidential primary to be a “predominantly mail ballot election,” according to the governor’s order, and the delay gives the elections board and the Rhode Island Secretary of State time to make that happen.

“The Rhode Island Department of Health shall advise the Board on any public health concerns that may arise with respect to voting practices involving person-to-person contact,” the order states.

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea supports the idea.

“A predominantly mail ballot election will ensure that all eligible Rhode Islanders can cast a ballot in a safe and secure manner while protecting the integrity of every vote. Our first step in the coming weeks will be to send all registered voters a mail ballot application with a postage-paid return envelope,” Gorbea said in a written statement, according to CNN.

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