Election Day: What RI voters should know as they head to the polls

Senior Executive Producer Kristina Carretero contributed to this report.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Today is Election Day.

Voter turnout so far in Rhode Island can be found here. 

Besides the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, there’s several other races that voters have been paying attention to in different cities and town throughout Rhode Island.

So far, Harris is leading double digits over Trump in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, according to a recent UNH poll.

Mayoral, General Assembly races, and more.

In Cranston, incumbent Mayor Ken Hopkins will be facing Democratic challenger Robert Ferri. In September, Hopkins advanced to the general election after beating Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. Cranston is one of Rhode Island’s biggest mayoral races.

In Woonsocket, Mayor Chris Beauchamp will be facing Council President John Ward. Last November, Beauchamp stepped in as mayor when former Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt resigned. Ward then shortly became council president, a role that had been previously been filled by Beauchamp.

In Cumberland, incumbent Mayor Jeffrey Mutter will be facing independent, Brad Dean. Mutter became Mayor back in 2019, while Dean is the CEO of the business Dean Warehouse Inc.

In Warwick, there’s a three way race for mayor. Incumbent Mayor Frank Picozzi is facing off Democratic challenger Leah Hazelwood, and Independent challenger Patrick Maloney.

In Pawtucket, incumbent Democratic Mayor Donald Grebien is looking to remain in office, and will face off against former chairman of the Pawtucket Republican Committee, Nathan Luciano, who is running the race as an independent.

There are multiple General Assembly races in Rhode Island, but Democrats are still looking to retain both the House and Senate.

Races to watch for U.S. Senate and Congress between Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Patricia Morgan. Representative Seth Magaziner is also facing Republican Steven Corvi. Representative Gabe Amo is facing Republican Allen Waters.

The race to watch in Massachusetts is between Senator Elizabeth Warren and John Deaton.

Ballot questions in Rhode Island and Mass.

In Rhode Island for question 1, voters will either approve or reject a convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution. A poll by UNH suggests that Rhode Islanders will reject the question.

A constitutional convention hasn’t been held in Rhode Island since 1986.

Voters will also be asked if they support or oppose bonds for various projects at Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island, this will include $120 million for increasing housing availability, $10 million to invest in the arts, and $160 million for improving facilities at the schools.

A full break down of the bond referendum questions can be found here. 

In Massachusetts, for question 1, voters will decide yes or no to authorize the state auditor to audit the legislature.

For question 2, voters will decide if they think MCAS needs to be a requirement to graduate high school.

For question 3, voters will decide if they think  transportation drivers should unionize, like Uber and Lyft drivers.

Question 4 is a yes or no vote for limited legalization and regulation of certain psychedelic substances.

For question 5, voters will approve or reject the proposed law would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, over the course of five years.

According to the Secretary of State’s website, the proposed law would require employers to continue to pay tipped workers the difference between the state minimum wage and the total amount a tipped worker receives in hourly wages plus tips through the end of 2028.

Under the proposed law, if an employer pays its workers an hourly wage that is at least the state minimum wage, the employer would be permitted to administer a “tip pool” that combines all the tips given by customers to tipped workers and distributes them among all the workers, including non-tipped workers.

A full break down of the Massachusetts ballot questions are listed here. 

Providence school board.

On Election Day, Providence residents won’t be voting for just our future president, they’ll be voting for the next members of the Providence School District.

Beginning in January of 2025, school board will consist of five appointed members and five elected members, one from each of the five school board regions.

Providence voters will have the opportunity to elect a school board member from each region based on where they reside in the city.

You can find a full candidate guide here. 

Important info for voters heading to polls.

In order to vote, you must bring a government issued identification.

You must be 18 and older, and must be a legal resident of the United States. You can find your polling location by typing in your address here.  

For Massachusetts, you can find your polling location here. 

Last minute registration is available at polls or online in Rhode Island. 

Newport Mayor Xaykham Khamsyvoravong is offering free rides to the poles from their front doors directly to their polling location using a fleet of electric Low-Speed Vehicles.

Residents who wish to use the free ride service can contact (401) 445-3051 or visit xayfornewport.com/how-to-vote to sign up for a ride.

ABC6 will be monitoring the results all day. For a full break down of the results, you can visit our website here or visit the election results tab.

GATRA will be providing FREE rides to the polls to vote on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Tell your driver you are going to vote and your ride will be free. Please note free rides apply on GATRA’s fixed route.

Anyone needing ADA accessibility may request a free ride to vote through Dial-A-Ride. For more information, contact GATRA at 800-483-2500.

More info can be found here. 

Results will start to be be available after 8 p.m. tonight, which is when the polls close. Polls open at 7 a.m., except for New Shoreham which will be open at 9 a.m.

In 2020, the presidential winner was not declared until four days after the election.

You can find the results here. 

ABC6 caught up with voters at the polls in Newport as the polls opened at 7 a.m.