The Rhode Island Board of Elections releases the unofficial 2024 ballot question results

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Board of Elections released the 2024 ballot question results. For three out of the five ballot questions, the state says 99% of polls have been reported for this race. All five ballot questions below have Rhode Island’s unofficial results. The ballot question information has been gathered from the voter information handbook released by Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore.

Ballot question 1: Constitutional Convention: Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution?

What this means: If approved, a new Rhode Island Constitution could be proposed or revised to the State’s electors, which would be approved or rejected. Ability to suggest individual amendments or supplemental amendments be re-written in the Constitution. Although, the revisions would not take effect until they have been submitted to electors of the State and approved by the majority of electors, according to the voter information handbook. The last Constitutional Convention was held in 1986.

• Results: REJECTED
• Reject: 62.5 %
• Approve:  37.5%
• 414/414 polling places reporting for this race. 100%

Ballot question 2:  Higher education facilities- $160,500,000

What this means: According to the voter information handbook, the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College would be given funds from the state to improve the life sciences economy in Rhode Island, as well as enhance cyber training throughout the state. URI would be given $87,500,000 to construct a Biomedical Sciences building and associated infrastructure, which would allow URI to develop research and create high-wage, high-demand jobs for the life sciences economy in Rhode Island. RIC would be granted $73,000,000 to renovate Whipple Hall for the College’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies to create a regional center for one of the nation’s fast-growing, most vital industries.

• Results: APPROVED
• Approve: 59.7%
• Reject: 40.3%
• 414/414 polling places reporting for this race. 100%

Ballot question 3: Housing and community opportunities, $120,000,000

What this means: According to Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore, with these bonds, housing availability would be able to increase through new construction and renovations. Vacant and damaged properties would be repaired for use as community facilities, commercial spaces, and additional housing. Local housing efforts would promote homeownership in Rhode Island.

• Results: APPROVED
• Approve: 65.6%
• Reject: 34.4%
• 413/414 polling places reporting for this race. 99%

Ballot question 4: Green economy bonds: $53,000,000

What this means: According to the voter information handbook, Rhode Island would invest $53,000,000 in improving the environment and public recreation facilities. The bonds would be put towards revamping infrastructure at Quonset’s Port of Davisville, improving coastal habitats, restoring river and stream floodplains, fixing contaminated brownfield land, outdoor recreation projects, support to the city and towns, the Newport Cliff Walk, working farmland, conserving open space, and the health of State forests.

• Results: APPROVED
• Approve: 67.3%
• Reject: 32.7%
• 413/414 polling places reporting for this race. 99%

Ballot question 5: Cultural arts and the economy grant program, $10,000,000

What this means: According to Secretary of State Gregg Amore, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) would be able to improve arts and cultural facilities, and increase their ability to contribute to the cultural, educational, and economic life of Rhode Island. Support public and non-profit artistic centers, performance centers, museums, and cultural art centers locally.

• RESULTS: APPROVED
• Approve: 56.2%
• Reject: 43.8%
• 413/414 polling places reporting for this race. 99%

For more information, visit the Rhode Island Board of Elections website here.