The Office and the Official
The primary responsibility for overseeing elections in Rhode Island falls to the Secretary of State. This elected position serves as the state's chief elections officer. The current officeholder is Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, a Democrat who was sworn into office on January 3, 2023. As the third-ranking elected official in the state, the Secretary of State's duties extend beyond elections to include corporate filings and preserving state records, but their role in safeguarding the democratic process is paramount. Secretary Amore, a lifelong resident of East Providence, brings a background as a teacher, coach, and a ten-year veteran of the Rhode Island House of Representatives to the position.
What the Job Actually Entails
While the title is 'Secretary of State', the election
duties are extensive. The office's Elections and Civics Division is responsible for a wide array of critical functions that form the backbone of the state's voting process. This includes preparing the ballots used in all state and federal elections, certifying candidates for ballot placement, and maintaining the statewide voter registration database. The department also ensures voting facilities are accessible and that the state complies with federal laws like the Help America Vote Act. Furthermore, they are responsible for creating and distributing mail ballots to voters, a component of elections that has grown significantly in importance.
A Collaborative Effort
It's important to note that in Rhode Island, election administration is a partnership. The Secretary of State's office doesn't work in a vacuum. It collaborates with two other key bodies: the state Board of Elections and the local Boards of Canvassers in each city and town. The state Board of Elections handles crucial Election Day operations, including testing and preparing voting machines, training poll workers, and overseeing campaign finance. Meanwhile, the 39 local Boards of Canvassers manage local voter rolls, process mail ballot applications, and recruit the poll workers who staff voting locations on election day. Secretary Amore's department sits at the center of this ecosystem, providing the systems, ballots, and statewide coordination needed for everything to function smoothly.
Priorities and Key Initiatives
Since taking office, Secretary Amore has focused on several key areas, including enhancing civic engagement and protecting voters and businesses. He launched the RI Civic Leadership Program, an initiative aimed at high school students, which was recognized as a finalist for a national award. Legislatively, he has been a prominent advocate for a Rhode Island Voting Rights Act and sponsored legislation to expand ballot access, known as the Let RI Vote Act, during his time as a state representative. Other priorities include pushing for legislation to combat business identity theft and championing the creation of a Rhode Island State History Center to preserve and showcase the state's rich historical records, including its copy of the Declaration of Independence.
