News and Events
Secretary Gorbea Statement on President Biden's Voting Rights Speech
"Today I echo the words of President Biden: "The power must always be with the people." Throughout my career I have worked to increase civic participation. As Rhode Island Secretary of State, I have enacted reforms and modernized elections to improve access to the ballot box for every eligible...
Secretary Gorbea Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Voting Restrictions
"Your constitutional right to vote should never be affected by your zip code or the color of your skin. Today, the United States Supreme Court issued a deeply disappointing decision that weakens Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This decision makes it increasingly difficult to legally challenge...
Secretary Gorbea Honors Local Civic Leaders at State House
PROVIDENCE, RI – Today Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea honored six Rhode Islanders with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion Award in a ceremony at the Rhode Island State House. The NASS Medallion Award is given annually by Secretaries of State to recognize...
Secretary Gorbea, AG Neronha Warn Consumers of "COVID-19 Safe Drive to Work" Text Message Scam
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea and Attorney General Peter F. Neronha are warning Rhode Islanders of a series of scam text messages that have been reported this weekend, claiming to be from the Rhode Island Department of State. The scam messages encourage Rhode Islanders to...
Secretary Gorbea Statement on House Passage of Cybersecurity Bill
"Today the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved 2021-H 6042, a bill that will help ensure that our state remains a national leader in election security. This bill codifies many of our best practices during the incredibly successful 2020 election cycle and includes security measures such...
Rhode Island State Archives Kicks Off Summer 2021 Programming
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea and the Rhode Island State Archives are excited to welcome the public into the new Archives location at 33 Broad Street in Providence on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning today. To celebrate this reopening, Secretary Gorbea and the...
Statement by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on House Passage of Rhode Island 250th Commission Bill
"Tonight the Rhode Island House of Representatives voted unanimously to approve H.6002 and the creation of the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial (RI 250th) Commission. This bill will allow our state to promote its unique role in the founding of our country and stimulate our local economy through...
Secretary Gorbea to Reopen Department Offices June 1
PROVIDENCE, RI – Today Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea announced that Department of State offices outside of the State House will fully reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 1. Previously, an appointment was required to access in-person services. This reopening includes the Business Services...
Dates Set for Providence City Council & West Warwick Town Council Special Elections
PROVIDENCE, RI –Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is providing the following schedule for upcoming special elections to fill vacancies on the Providence City Council (Ward 15) and West Warwick Town Council (Ward 5). Potential candidates are encouraged to note that the declaration of candidacy...
Secretary Gorbea Statement on Census Bureau Data Release
Today is a prime example of why community advocacy matters. Not only has Rhode Island retained our representation in Congress and our four Electoral College votes – we have also ensured our share of billions of dollars in federal funding each year.
Thank you to the Rhode Island Complete Count...
Secretary Gorbea Statement on President Biden's Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
"Today, the Armenian community stops to remember the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide and I encourage all Rhode Islanders to join me in also pausing to acknowledge this dark moment in our world history. The atrocities committed by the Turkish Ottoman Empire beginning 106 years ago led to the...
Statement from Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on Confirmation of Sabina Matos as Lt. Governor
"Congratulations to Sabina Matos on her historic confirmation as Rhode Island's next Lieutenant Governor. Our best public policies come when we have a variety of backgrounds and opinions around the policy-making table, and I look forward to having another woman of color included in these...
Statement from Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on Confirmation of Sabina Matos as Lt. Governor
"Congratulations to Sabina Matos on her historic confirmation as Rhode Island's next Lieutenant Governor. Our best public policies come when we have a variety of backgrounds and opinions around the policy-making table, and I look forward to having another woman of color included in these...
Mail Ballot Application Deadline for Four Special Elections is Tuesday 4/13
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that the deadline to submit mail ballot applications for four upcoming special elections is Tuesday, April 13. Mail ballot applications must be received by election officials by 4 p.m. on April 13, not postmarked....
Secretary Gorbea Warns RI Businesses of Misleading Mailing Charging Excessive Fees
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is warning Rhode Island businesses of a misleading mailing from a company calling itself "Rhode Island Certificate Services," with a Providence return address. The company is based in Florida and is targeting newly formed Rhode Island businesses.
Statement from Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on Nomination of Sabina Matos as Lt. Governor
"I congratulate Providence City Council President Sabina Matos on her nomination as Rhode Island's next Lieutenant Governor. Over the last 11 years, she has served the residents of Olneyville well. I am confident she will bring that dedication to her new role. As a fellow woman of color, I...
Special Elections in Four RI Towns on May 4: Deadlines Upcoming
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that special elections are scheduled in four communities on May 4, 2021:
• Coventry – Town Council, District 4 (one vacant seat)
• South Kingstown – Special Referendum Election, one question totaling $85 million
Secretary Gorbea Fights for Open Government with Revised Public Records Act
PROVIDENCE, RI – Today Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea testified before the House State Government and Elections Committee in support of House bills 5944 and 5998, introduced on behalf of her office by Representative Mia Ackerman and Representative Jose Batista, respectively.
The bills would
Secretary Gorbea Statement on Confirmation of Gina Raimondo as U.S. Commerce Secretary
"Today's confirmation of Gina Raimondo as Commerce Secretary of the United States is a proud moment for all Rhode Islanders and a great way for women and girls everywhere to celebrate Women's History Month. While in the Governor's office, Secretary Raimondo worked hard to enhance commerce in the...
Secretary Gorbea: Start Returning Special Election Mail Ballots Via Secure Drop Box
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Island voters who requested a mail ballot for the March 2 statewide special election that all ballots must be received by the Board of Elections or placed in a secure elections drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2. Ballots...
Secretary Gorbea Named to DHS Election Security Group
PROVIDENCE, RI –Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea has been named to the Department of Homeland Security's Election Infrastructure Subsector Government Coordinating Council (EIS-GCC). This appointment provides Secretary Gorbea another opportunity to work on a national level to support and protect...
Secretary Gorbea Again Provides Daily Updates on Election Turnout with Early In-Person Voting Underway
PROVIDENCE, RI – Early in-person voting is underway for Rhode Island's March 2 statewide referenda election. Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea will again provide daily updates on voter turnout through a new data visualization resource on vote.ri.gov.
The data visualization allows users to...
Secretary Gorbea Reminds Rhode Islanders of February 9 Mail Ballot Application Deadline for Special Election
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that the deadline to submit mail ballot applications for the upcoming statewide special referenda election is Tuesday, February 9. Mail ballot applications must be received by election officials by 4 p.m. on February...
Secretary Gorbea Reminds Rhode Islanders of January 31 Voter Registration Deadline for Special Election
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Sunday, January 31, to register to vote or update their voter information for the state's special referenda election on March 2. Rhode Islanders can check their voter registration status by using...
Secretary Gorbea Delivers $223,000 to Rhode Island Communities for March 2 Special Election
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is allocating $223,586 to Rhode Island cities and towns for costs associated with the state's March 2 special referenda election. The funds are part of a $632,189 grant Secretary Gorbea secured from the Center for Election Innovation and Research
News Contact:
Nick Domings
Deputy Communications Director
401-330-3189
Email: [email protected]