Search

Menu

Close

Press

Featured Press
Commission Appointed to Prep for Potential Constitutional Convention

News Clip

Commission Appointed to Prep for Potential Constitutional Convention

The commission for the proposed RI Constitution Convention included 4 spots for the public - all filled by former elected officials or State House staffers. The rest of the commission is made up of Democrats and Republicans from both the House and the Senate.

Media Contacts

Katie Scally

Communications Director
kscally@commoncause.org
408-205-1257

Common Cause’s network of national and state democracy reform experts are frequent media commentators. To talk with one of our experts, please reach out to any member of the press team above.

Filters

248 Results

through

Reset Filters

Close

Filters

248 Results

through

Reset Filters

2020 Census Data Collection to End Tomorrow

Press Release

2020 Census Data Collection to End Tomorrow

The last full day for Rhode Islanders to complete the U.S. Census is tomorrow, October 15, 2020. To date, 99% of households in Rhode Island have been contacted by the Census Bureau, but that does not mean every Rhode Islander has been counted. Only 65.3% of households have provided a self-response.

Voting Access Coalition Calls for Executive Order to Count Ballots Mailed by Election Day, Received by November 6

Press Release

Voting Access Coalition Calls for Executive Order to Count Ballots Mailed by Election Day, Received by November 6

A coalition of 20 community and voting rights groups called for Governor Gina M. Raimondo to issue an executive order allowing the state Board of Elections to count ballots that are postmarked by November 3rd and received by November 6th, and to count any ballots received by mail that arrive on November 4th.

Open Government Groups Call for Reversal of Executive Order Undercutting Transparency in State Rule-Making

Press Release

Open Government Groups Call for Reversal of Executive Order Undercutting Transparency in State Rule-Making

The ACLU of Rhode Island, Common Cause Rhode Island, and the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island have asked General Assembly leaders to repeal an Executive Order, (EO 20-72), issued last week by Governor Raimondo that undercuts transparency in government.

Supreme Court Rejects GOP Effort to Force Rhode Islanders to Risk Their Health to Vote During COVID-19 Pandemic

Press Release

Supreme Court Rejects GOP Effort to Force Rhode Islanders to Risk Their Health to Vote During COVID-19 Pandemic

In an important win for voting rights, the Supreme Court today rejected efforts to block Rhode Island from eliminating witness/notary requirements for vote by mail in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state had agreed to drop the requirements via consent decree, resolving a lawsuit brought on behalf of Common Cause of Rhode Island and others.

Groups Respond to RNC, Rhode Island GOP Appeal of Mail Ballot Case to Supreme Court

Press Release

Groups Respond to RNC, Rhode Island GOP Appeal of Mail Ballot Case to Supreme Court

Two weeks ago, the state of Rhode Island agreed to eliminate witness/notary requirements for vote by mail throughout the 2020 elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in a consent decree resolving a lawsuit. Today, the Republican National Committee and the Rhode Island Republican Party sought a stay of that consent decree from the U.S. Supreme Court.   

Groups Challenge Rhode Island Vote-By-Mail Requirements That Put Voters at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic

Press Release

Groups Challenge Rhode Island Vote-By-Mail Requirements That Put Voters at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic

The lawsuit seeks to block provisions of a state law that require Rhode Islanders who vote by mail to have two witnesses or a notary sign their ballot envelope, even in the midst of a highly contagious and deadly pandemic. These requirements necessitate face-to-face and hand-to-hand interaction between voters and others who pose a potentially fatal risk to the voters’ health.

17 Organizations Urge State Lawmakers to Pass Bills to Protect Voting Rights During Upcoming Elections

Press Release

17 Organizations Urge State Lawmakers to Pass Bills to Protect Voting Rights During Upcoming Elections

In advance of votes expected today in the Rhode Island General Assembly, 17 organizations concerned about voting rights call on the Senate and House of Representatives to pass two bills to protect the right of all Rhode Islanders to vote in the fall elections, and urge Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea to immediately send mail ballot applications to eligible Rhode Island voters for the September 8, 2020 primary election.

Voting Rights Organizations Urge Immediate Action ‘to safeguard the health of voters and preserve access to the ballot’ During Fall Elections

Press Release

Voting Rights Organizations Urge Immediate Action ‘to safeguard the health of voters and preserve access to the ballot’ During Fall Elections

In the absence of legislative action, and with only 10 weeks until Rhode Island’s September 8 primary, 16 organizations concerned about voting rights are urging state officials to take “immediate executive actions” to “avoid some of the problems we saw on June 2nd.”

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Voting Rights Groups announce ‘Safe and Healthy Voting in 2020 Act’

Press Release

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Voting Rights Groups announce ‘Safe and Healthy Voting in 2020 Act’

Following on the June 2 presidential primary, which saw 83% of all votes cast by mail, a coalition of Rhode Island organizations today announced legislation to implement mail-based voting in the September 8 state primary and the November 3 general election. 

“Redraw Rhode Island” kicks-off campaign for an Independent Redistricting Commission

Press Release

“Redraw Rhode Island” kicks-off campaign for an Independent Redistricting Commission

In a gathering at the State Library today, legislators, Common Cause members and other community leaders kicked-off a proposed state constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission to draw new legislative district lines after the 2020 Census.

Load More

Close

    • Close

    Hello! It looks like you're joining us from {state}.

    Want to see what's happening in your state?

    Go to Common Cause {state}