Elections Task Force holds first of three meetings

Posted 3/2/17

Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea convened the first of three meetings of her Elections Task Force Tuesday at the Warwick Public Library. The task force, made up of state and local elections officials along with Rhode Island voters, is meeting to

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Elections Task Force holds first of three meetings

Posted

Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea convened the first of three meetings of her Elections Task Force Tuesday at the Warwick Public Library. The task force, made up of state and local elections officials along with Rhode Island voters, is meeting to improve the administration of elections in Rhode Island.

“I traveled around the state visiting polling locations during each of the 2016 elections. Our state invested heavily in modernizing elections last year. Overall, I witnessed voters excited to be engaged in the democratic process and polling places running smoothly,” Secretary Gorbea said in a statement. “But there are always areas where we can improve the administration of elections and that is why I have convened this taskforce.”

During meeting, the task force discussed recent Rhode Island initiatives to reduce bloat in the state’s voter rolls and streamline processes leading up to Election Day. Officials discussed Secretary Gorbea’s implementation of online voter registration, the state’s membership to the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and the electronic poll book pilot program implemented in September and November 2016.

Dottie McCarthy of the Warwick Board of Canvassers and a member of the task force with Patty Aylesworth, Warwick Director of Elections, said after the meeting that she feels confident Rhode Island is keeping up with the rest of the country in terms of online voter registration and equipment.

Sam Derheimer from Pew Charitable Trusts shared national best practices and recommendations for improving elections administration. Pew has done extensive research on elections administration and created the Elections Performance Index, an interactive tool that allows users to easily analyze the voter experience across states, years and categories of information.

A second meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 8 will focus on Election Day operations and post election processes. The meeting will take place at Francis J. Varieur School in Pawtucket, one of a handful of polling places that experienced long wait times during the November General Election. Gorbea mentioned that her office invited the 1,200 registered voters who use the Varieur School as their polling location to hear their concerns at the next meeting. 

Warwick voters didn’t experience the delays seen in Pawtucket. McCarthy pointed out that Pawtucket had three ballots per voter and people backed up at the machines to cast ballots.

“We had the perfect election, no complaints,” she said of Warwick. 

“All of us around the table are committed to ensuring that elections run smoothly and efficiently in Rhode Island,” said Board of Elections Vice Chairwoman Diane Mederos. “We also recognize that there is always room for improvement, which is why it is so important to hear from voters and poll workers at these meetings.”

During the final meeting on March 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the State House, Gorbea will present overall lessons learned, best practices, and solutions for improving elections in Rhode Island. These meetings are open to the public, are being announced in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and will allow for public comment.

Comments

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  • Justanidiot

    Three ballots per voter? No wonder the dems swept Pawtucket. Maybe mayer corrente can use this strategy next time around.

    Thursday, March 2, 2017 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Mail out ballots need to be looked at more carefully as well. Getting one and submitting one are not examined enough.

    Rick

    Thursday, March 2, 2017 Report this

  • DanElliott

    Rick,

    What specifically do you want to examine? Secretary Gorbea promoted early voting through mail ballot and emergency ballot. You and I both got a stack of mail ballots. Some candidates (Mr. Speaker specifically) would have lost without those mail ballots.

    What should we do? I'm interested in what you think.

    Dan Elliott

    Thursday, March 2, 2017 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear DanElliott,

    First, thank you for the respectful comment.

    I have concerns over the validity of certain functions of the election process. If you would like to meet and have a coffee, I will be happy to share them with you. However, I won't accuse, criticize or challenge any process unless I am sure and I'm not. I also have an idea to improve the security of the process of future elections that I am willing to share with you. I would like your honest opinion.

    Hope to hear from you soon Dan. My cell is 401-338-9900.

    Take good care.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Friday, March 3, 2017 Report this

  • DanElliott

    Hey Rick, I called over the weekend and left a message. I'm interested in hearing the details if you're willing to meet. 921-5020

    Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Report this