Last November, some providence polling places were packed for hours, with long lines…and frustrated voters. Now a state lawmakers is proposing early voting – letting people cast ballots up to three weeks before election day. State Rep. Deb Ruggiero (D-Rhode Island) said, “It was the perfect storm. You know we had polling places that were reduced. We closed the closing times at polls 8 o’clock versus 9 o’clock. Some people were confused as to where they voted.” Republicans are worried, saying more voting days may lead to more mistakes.
In last year’s primary, one mail-in ballot went missing, and you guessed it, that race was eventually decided by one vote.
State Rep. Joe Trillo (R-Rhode Island) said, “We can’t even get our act straight in a one day election. Just imagine how difficult it would be if we had ballots out there for 28 or 30 days.”
ABC6 Reporter Mark Curtis said, “Rhode Island may be a bit late to the table on this issue. Thirty–two states and the District of Columbia already allow some form of early voting.”
Full Article: Early Voting Proposed for Rhode Island – ABC6 – Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather.