Bristol, Warren Receive Grant Funding For Special Election

BRISTOL-WARREN, RI — The towns of Bristol and Warren collectively received nearly $7,500 from Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea's office to help cover the costs of the upcoming special election on March 2. The funds come from a grant the state received ahead of the November general election.

The initial grant of $632,189 was provided by the Center for Election Innovation and Research in October. The non-profit organization works with election experts "from both sides of the aisle to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation, and improve the efficiency of election administration," according to Gorbea's office. About two-thirds of the initial grant was used for voter education, communication and information ahead of the November election. The rest, which totaled $223,586, was placed on reserve to help cover costs for the special election in March.

"Our local boards of canvassers are preparing to run their fourth election within one calendar year, during an ongoing pandemic," Gorbea said. "They have been the unsung heroes in making sure Rhode Islanders can vote safely and securely, despite incredible challenges. I hope these funds will provide a needed boost to help our local election officials once again deliver Rhode Islanders the election they deserve."

Every city and town in the state received at least $2,000, with amounts determined by the number of votes cast in the 2020 general election.

Wendy Marshall, the president of the Town and City Clerk's Association, thanked the secretary for the financial assistance on behalf of Rhode Island communities, saying it "will assist each city and town to offset the costs of the upcoming special election on March 2, 2021."

The March 2 ballot will include seven statewide budget referenda questions. Voters can choose to cast their ballot by mail, early in-person or at the polls on Election Day, and all active registered voters will receive a mail ballot application in the mail, starting this week.

Read more: What To Know About Rhode Island's March 2 Special Election

A breakdown of funding by town is below.

• Barrington: $4,596.85
• Bristol: $4,958.08
• Burrillville: $3,618.23
• Central Falls: $2,000.00
• Charlestown: $2,215.50
• Coventry: $8,489.37
• Cranston: $17,450.12
• Cumberland: $8,360.66
• East Greenwich: $3,673.09
• East Providence: $9,835.55
• Exeter: $2,000.00
• Foster: $2,000.00
• Glocester: $2,591.50
• Hopkinton: $2,000.00
• Jamestown: $2,000.00
• Johnston: $6,476.43
• Lincoln: $5,375.86
• Little Compton: $2,000.00
• Middletown: $3,654.94
• Narragansett: $3,842.73
• Newport: $4,545.36
• New Shoreham: $2,000.00
• North Kingstown: $7,467.29
• North Providence: $7,162.18
• North Smithfield: $3,056.12
• Pawtucket: $10,960.61
• Portsmouth: $4,634.40
• Providence: $24,301.29
• Richmond: $2,000.00
• Scituate: $2,843.44
• Smithfield: $4,905.75
• South Kingstown: $7,084.11
• Tiverton: $3,946.97
• Warren: $2,517.65
• Warwick: $19,733.99
• Westerly: $5,458.57
• West Greenwich: $2,000.00
• West Warwick: $5,943.87
• Woonsocket: $5,885.21

Total: $223,585.74