R.I. Board of Elections will conduct investigation into Matos signatures

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Board of Elections voted to conduct an electoral investigation into the allegedly fraudulent signatures collected by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos’ campaign for the Congressional District 1 special election.

The resolution came after a five to one vote and an hour of deliberation decided enough evidence was present for deeper investigation.

Two formal challenges were filed Thursday by an opposing campaign and the state Working Families Party.

Both challenges wanted the signatures collected by Holly McLaren, who worked for the campaign, to be reviewed.

The discrepancies were first noticed by the Jamestown Board of Canvassers, who raised concerns Tuesday over the validity of the signatures submitted by Matos’ campaign.

Gov. Dan McKee responded to the controversy for the first time on Friday.

“There is a process going on, I expect they are fully capable of getting to the bottom of the details,” he said.

The electoral investigation will be conducted alongside a criminal investigation performed by Attorney General Peter Neronha and the Rhode Island State Police.