News and Events
Statement by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
We have lost a champion of voting rights, women's rights, immigration, health care and the values that make our country great. Thank you Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for always striving to make America live up to its promise. We mourn your loss. We will continue the fight. Rest in peace, RBG.
Statement by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on Elections Postcards sent by United States Postal Service
This weekend, Rhode Islanders received a national postcard from the United States Postal Service regarding voting by mail. Every state has different election laws and policies.
Despite knowing this, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy made the unfortunate decision to send a single postcard to all...
Secretary Gorbea: All Active RI Voters to Receive Mail Ballot Applications for November Election
PROVIDENCE, RI – Today Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea and Board of Elections member Jennie Johnson made several announcements regarding the November 3 general election in Rhode Island.
First, Secretary Gorbea announced that her office will send all active registered voters a mail ballot...
Secretary Gorbea, United Way of R.I. Launch 2-1-1 Voter Information Hotline
PROVIDENCE, RI – With Rhode Island's September 8 primary and November 3 general election fast approaching, Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea today announced a partnership with United Way of Rhode Island to launch the state's first 2-1-1 Voter Information Hotline. The new voter information...
Secretary Gorbea Reminds Rhode Islanders of August 18 Mail Ballot Application Deadline
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding eligible voters that they have until Tuesday, August 18 to apply for a mail ballot if they wish to vote from home in the September 8 Statewide Primary election.
"Voting from home is a safe and secure option, especially during...
Statement by Secretary Gorbea on Today's Supreme Court Ruling
"Your health should never be the price of admission to our democracy. Making it easier to vote safely from home by removing the burden of obtaining two witnesses or a notary is a common-sense step that will protect Rhode Islanders during this pandemic. We will mail out the requested mail ballots...
Statement by Secretary Gorbea on 1st Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling
"Today is another victory for voting rights and the safety of Rhode Islanders. I thank the United States Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit for upholding the removal of Rhode Island's burdensome requirement that voters obtain two witnesses or a notary to vote by mail during the pandemic, and for...
Secretary Gorbea, Drag Out the Vote Announce Partnership to Engage and Empower Rhode Islanders
PROVIDENCE, RI – With the September 8 primary and November 3 general election fast approaching, Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is proud to announce a partnership with Drag Out the Vote to educate and register voters in Rhode Island.
Drag Out the Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit...
Secretary Gorbea Reminds Rhode Islanders of August 9 Voter Registration Deadline
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Sunday, August 9, to register to vote or update their voter information for the September 8 statewide primary election. Rhode Islanders can check their voter registration status by using the...
Statement by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on President Trump's Disinformation about Elections
"President Trump's Twitter attack on elections is a blatant attempt to undermine Americans' faith in our democracy. Voting from home is a safe and secure option, especially during this pandemic – full stop."
-Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea
Statement by Secretary Gorbea on Federal Court Ruling to Suspend Witness/Notary Requirement to Vote by Mail
"As long as I am Secretary of State, I will fight to protect Rhode Island voters. Today's ruling is a victory for voting rights and public health. I thank the Court for delivering this decision in a timely manner.
I am appalled that the Republican National Committee is actively working to...
Secretary Gorbea Named to Executive Board Of National Association of Secretaries of State
Washington, D.C. — Members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) have elected Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea to the Executive Board of the association. She will serve a one-year term as Eastern Region Vice-President. The election took place at the 2020 NASS...
Statement by Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea on Mail Ballot Applications for September 8 Primary
"Rhode Island voters deserve a clear answer on this issue; my office will not be sending mail ballot applications to all voters for the September 8 primary. The lack of timely and unified action on this issue, as well as Rhode Island's burdensome requirement for voters to have two witnesses or a...
Statement by Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea on Fall Elections Bills
"As an advocate of early in-person voting since taking office in 2015, I am pleased to see the General Assembly passed legislation that will allow Rhode Islanders to securely cast their ballots into a voting machine at their city or town hall up to 20 days before an election. This measure will...
Secretary Gorbea Announces New Home for State Archives, Preserving Rhode Island History
PROVIDENCE, RI – Today Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea announced that the Rhode Island State Archives and its historic collections will be moving to a new home at 33 Broad Street in Providence. This facility represents a major upgrade in the preservation and protection of Rhode Island's...
Task Force Releases Recommendations for Safe and Secure Fall Elections in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, RI – Thursday, an elections task force consisting of state and local elections officials and members of the public released a series of recommendations to ensure that Rhode Island voters can cast their ballots in a safe and secure manner this fall.
Co-chaired by Secretary of State...
Elections Task Force to Review Presidential Primary and Prepare for Fall Elections
PROVIDENCE, RI – On Wednesday, July 1, at 11 a.m., an Elections Task Force consisting of state and local elections officials and members of the public will review Rhode Island's June 2 Presidential Primary and assess actions required to ensure safe and secure elections in the fall.
The Task...
Statement from Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on Today's U.S. District Court Decision Regarding Nomination Signatures
"Today's ruling takes key steps to protect the health of candidates and voters during a pandemic. The decision also allows candidates for public office in Rhode Island to gather and submit nomination signatures in a manner that adheres to cybersecurity best practices.
I thank the election...
Secretary Gorbea to Rhode Islanders: Vote from Home this Week
PROVIDENCE, RI – This week, thousands of Rhode Island voters will cast their ballots from home in the state's June 2 Presidential Primary election. Voters will be electing delegates to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions and signaling their choice for either party's Presidential...
Secretary Gorbea Reminds Rhode Islanders of May 19 Mail Ballot Application Deadline
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Tuesday, May 19, to submit mail ballot applications for the June 2 Presidential Primary. For the safety of voters and poll workers, Rhode Island's Presidential Primary will be a mostly mail ballot
MEDIA ADVISORY: Secretary Gorbea to Moderate Panel on Voting During COVID-19
Providence, RI – With Rhode Island's June 2 Presidential Primary election approaching, Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea will moderate a panel on Facebook Live on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 2 p.m. to address frequently asked questions about voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the safety of...
Secretary Gorbea Reminds Rhode Islanders of May 3 Voter Registration Deadline
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Sunday, May 3, to register to vote or update their voter information for the June 2 Presidential Primary. Rhode Islanders can check their voter registration status by using the Department of State'
Secretary Gorbea Reminds Rhode Islanders: Check Your Mailbox and Help Maintain Voter Rolls
PROVIDENCE, RI – This week, Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea began sending all registered Rhode Island voters a mail ballot application for the upcoming June 2 presidential primary. This process will have two major benefits for Rhode Island. First, it ensures that eligible voters can cast their...
Secretary Gorbea Again Named to National Election Security Leadership Role
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea has once again been elected by members of the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) to serve on the EI-ISAC Executive Committee. The announcement was made Thursday afternoon during the group's quarterly call.
Secretary Gorbea Announces Remote Online Notarization To Enable Business to Continue During COVID-19 Emergency
Providence, RI – Today, Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea announced an agreement with Governor Gina Raimondo that enables Remote Online Notarization to be permitted on a temporary basis. Remote Online Notarization will allow individuals to honor social distancing guidelines from the Centers for...
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