Woonsocket Awarded State Special Election Grant

WOONSOCKET, RI — The Rhode Island Secretary of State's office has given $5,885 in grant funding from the Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR) to the City of Woonsocket to assist with state special election costs, said Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt in a news release Wednesday.

Woonsocket previously received a $31,395 grant from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the election process. The funding was utilized during the November general election to facilitate early in-person voting and ensure the safety and efficiency of polling locations due to the ongoing pandemic.

"We are very fortunate to have received substantial grant money to promote voter engagement in Woonsocket and to help our city meet the costs of ensuring inclusive, safe and secure elections," said Baldelli-Hunt in a statement.

The upcoming special election, taking place on March 2, will present seven referendum questions to decide on how the state distributes funding for things such as education, housing, childcare, transportation, environmental projects, cultural arts, and commerce infrastructure, said the news release.

"This election will present referendum questions that will have a big impact on the State's budget, as well as on the direction of state and local initiatives," said Baldelli-Hunt. "It is important that Woonsocket voters weigh-in on how they feel about each one of them."

"We all need to get out and vote on March 2nd and this state directed CEIR grant will make voting easier and safer for our residents during a time when we are all still affected by COVID-19," she continued.

Important dates regarding the March 2 special election are as follows:

• Jan. 31 - voter registration deadline
• Feb. 9 - mail absentee ballot application deadline
• Feb. 10 - start of early in-person voting
• Mar. 1 - end of early in-person voting, deadline for emergency mail ballots
• Mar. 2 - Election Day polls open

For more information, contact the Manager of the Woonsocket Board of Canvassers at 401-767-9221.