8 September 2008
Election Day Guide
Posted by admin under: Uncategorized .
RIDES TO THE POLLS
Do you, or someone you know, need a ride to your polling location? Please give us a call at 515-4605 and we will schedule a pick-up time for you.
POLLING INFORMATION
Need to know your exact polling location? Visit the Secretary of State’s Web Site
Here is a list of polling locations with links to MapQuest to print out convenient driving directions (just click on the address):
St. Mary’s Star of the Sea (866 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett)
Narragansett Pier School (235 South Pier Rd. , Narragansett)
Narragansett Community Center (53 Mumford Rd., Narragansett)
Forest Fire Station (Holley St., Wakefield)
South Kingstown High School (Columbia St., Wakefield)
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
How do I identify myself at the polling place?
In most cases you don’t need to provide proof of identity at the polling place. When you enter your polling place, state your name and address to one of the bi-partisan supervisors seated at the check-in table.
If your name is found on the voting list and your street address matches the voter list, the supervisor will give you a short ballot application. Sign the application.
When is an identification document required?
An identification document will only be needed if you are a first time mail registrant in RI or a first time registrant through a third party and you have not submitted the required identification by the time of the election. You will be notified in advance by mail that you should bring identification to the polls.
How do I get my ballot?
Once your name is checked off on the voting list by the supervisor, you will be directed to the clerk seated at the check-in table. Hand the clerk your ballot application. The clerk will give you the appropriate ballot and a paper cover, called a “secrecy sleeve.” The secrecy sleeve helps ensure the privacy of your election choice.
The clerk will send you to a voting booth where you can mark your ballot in private. There will be a marking pen in the voting booth for your use in marking your ballot.
What does the ballot look like?
The ballot is a large piece of paper, approximately 9 inches by 17 inches. You will see the names of the offices being elected with the names of the candidates and the party they represent listed underneath. With each question you will see two open arrows next to the words “Approve” and “Reject.”
Important: Be sure to check both sides of the ballot. Some elected offices or questions may appear on the back of the ballot.
You may get a “sample ballot” showing all of the elections and questions as they will appear on Election Day by visiting the Secretary of State’s website: www.sec.state.ri.us/elections. Or, you may obtain a sample ballot from your local board of canvassers. Sample ballots are available approximately three weeks before a primary or election.
What is a “primary” election and how is it different from a “general” election?
Primaries are elections held by political parties, usually in the month of September, to decide who will represent that party in the later general election, which takes place in November of election years. The primary allows eligible voters to decide which party candidate shall represent them in the general election. The winner of the primary election must still compete with other candidates in the following general election.
What must I do in order to vote in a primary?
To vote in a primary, you must be a registered voter.
If your voter registration record indicates that you are unaffiliated you may choose in which primary you wish to vote. As soon as you vote in a primary, you are automatically affiliated with that party. If you wish to preserve your ability to vote in any other primary in the future, request a “disaffiliation” form from poll officials and fill it out on the spot to return to your unaffiliated status in 90 days.
If you are affiliated with any political party, you may not vote in another party’s primary.
How do I establish and change my party affiliation?
You have the option of “affiliating” with any recognized political party or not affiliating with any party (registering “unaffiliated”) at the time you register to vote.
You may change your recorded affiliation to a different party or to unaffiliated at any time by visiting your board of canvassers. However, if you want to change your party affiliation so that you can vote in another party’s primary, the change must be filed at least 90 days before the primary. The deadline for disaffiliation for the 2008 primary on September 9 was June 11.