Rhode Island Election 2023 Voter's Guide: Congress, School Bonds, More

RHODE ISLAND — Voters in Rhode Island go to the polls on Tuesday to make decisions about a U.S. Congress seat, a state senate race, and several school bond questions. Here is an election 2023 rundown.

Editor's Note: Candidates who filled out free Patch candidate profiles have them linked to their names.

Voting

Polls will be open in Rhode Island from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Where Do I Vote?

There are dozens of polling locations across Rhode Island. You can plug in your address on the RI Secretary of State's website to find your polling location.

Candidates

U.S. Congress District 1

• Gabe Amo (D)
• Gerry Leonard (R)

Former White House aide Gabe Amo won the Democratic primary in the special election to fill the U.S. Congressional seat in District 1 formerly held by David Cicilline.

Amo will now join Republican U.S. Marine veteran Gerry Leonard in Tuesday's showdown.

If Amo wins, he would become the first Black candidate to be elected to the U.S. House from Rhode Island.

The first congressional district represents Barrington, Bristol, Warren, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield, Woonsocket, and parts of Providence.

State Senate District 1

• Jacob Bissaillon (D)
• Niyoka Powell (R).

This special election will decide who takes the seat vacated by state Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Providence), who died earlier this year following a battle with cancer.

The race will see Democratic General Assembly staffer Jake Bissaillon square off against Republican Niyoka Powell, a frontline health care worker seeking office.

The first state senate district represents a portion of Providence.

School Bond Ballot Questions

The following communities will have ballot questions relating to school bonds on Tuesday's ballot:

Barrington

Barrington voters will be asked whether to approve a $250 million bond for repairs and other improvements to the town's high school and elementary schools. Several buildings need repairs, but schools also need more space with enrollment expected to grow, according to school officials.

Bristol-Warren School District

Bristol and Warren will ask voters to approve borrowing up to $200 million to replace Mt. Hope High School. A majority of voters from both towns is needed for the measure to be approved.

Cumberland

Cumberland voters will decide whether to approve a $52 million bond to rebuild B.F. Norton Elementary School.

East Greenwich

East Greenwich voters will decide whether the town borrows up to $150 million to build a new Frenchtown Elementary School, renovate or rebuild Hanaford Elementary School, renovate East Greenwich High School and create a new pre-K and kindergarten learning center at Meadowbrook Elementary School.

Lincoln

Lincoln voters will decide on two bonds, one of which is for the school district. Voters will be asked to approve a $25 million bond for upgrades at the district's elementary schools. The town is also seeking a $14 million bound to build a centralized rescue station.

Middletown

The town's school district is seeking up to $190 million to build a combined middle and high school and make repairs to other schools.

North Kingstown

North Kingstown voters will decide whether to approve a $222 million bond. The majority of that money would go towards consolidating Davisville and Wickford middle schools into one new building. The remaining $55 million would help pay for a new public safety complex.

Patch will be covering the Nov. 7 election live, and will send out an alert about results as soon as they are available. Sign up for free email alerts here.

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