LNN Spotlight focuses on major issues important to local Hispanic/Latino and underrepresented communities — stay updated on the monthly series by following us on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Radio Public.

On this episode of LNN Spotlight, Reporter/Editor Belén Dumont speaks with Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore and Director of Elections Kathy Placencia on Election Day reminders, related online resources, and state-wide efforts to increase voter turnout. 

About 17 percent of the Rhode Island population currently identifies as Hispanic or Latino as the state diversifies every year and its Latino electorate continually grows. 

Election Reminders

Register To Vote By Mail: October 15

Early Voting Period: October 16 – November 4 

Election Day: November 5

As misinformation continues to spread, Secretary Amore reminds residents to verify that election-related information is coming from a trusted source—such as the Department of State, the Board of Elections, their local canvassing board, or their local election officials. 

“Our second focus is making sure that people have a plan to vote,” said Amore. “Rhode Island is a fantastic, accessible voter-friendly state. We can vote early, in-person for 20 days prior to election day, we can vote by mail with no excuse…or you can vote traditionally on election day.”

Residents can learn more about the different ways of voting, view sample ballots for their precinct, and check their registration status and polling location, at vote.ri.gov. The entire website—including downloadable forms—is also available in Spanish.

“While not every community publishes ballots in two languages, the Rhode Island Department of State makes every effort to make as many resources available in both English and Spanish,” said Placencia. “We have plenty of resources for our constituents and our voters.”

Placencia emphasized that the Department of State is ready to assist bilingual residents over the phone or online.

This fall, Pawtucket has taken steps to provide additional support to Spanish-speaking voters, after the Department of Justice determined that the city was not doing enough to support Hispanic residents. These new efforts include 

“Pawtucket has taken this seriously, as we have, and we are supporting Pawtucket…to make sure they’re meeting the requirements under federal law and making sure that they are supporting their Spanish-speaking population,” said Amore. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• [English] vote.ri.gov/ [Spanish] vota.ri.gov/
• Additional Voter Registration Resources: https://elections.ri.gov/voter-resources

Publisher’s Note: The Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office and Rhode Island Latino News are proud partners in providing greater visibility and voice to local Hispanic-Latino communities.