Laws governing local ballot measures in Rhode Island

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	Initiative • Home rule • General law city • Charter city • Petition • Initiative petition circulation periods • Circulator • Paid circulator • Volunteer circulator • Circulator affidavit • Signer • Valid signature • Forged signature • Fraudulent signature • Invalid signature • Electronic petition signature • Legislative alteration • Registered voter

A guide to local ballot initiatives

Some Rhode Island municipalities have an initiative and referendum process for local ballot measures.

This article sets out the laws governing local ballot measures in Rhode Island. It explains:

Which local units of government make the initiative process available to residents.
How and whether local units of government, including school districts, can refer local ballot measures (such as school bond propositions) to the ballot.
An overview of laws governing local recall elections.

Types of local government

According to a 2022 study from the U.S. Census Bureau, this state's local governments consist of 39 cities, towns, and villages, and 84 special districts.^[1] There are five counties in Rhode Island. Although Rhode Island is divided into counties, it does not have any local government at the county level.^[2]

School districts

See also: School bond and tax elections in Rhode Island

There are no school bond and tax elections in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is one of nine states which, along with the District of Columbia, do not hold school bond or tax elections. The local governments are responsible for providing buildings for public schools. This requires approval both locally and from the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,which ensures that all buildings are compliant with Rhode Island's strict technology standards.

Local recall rules

Recall of local elected officials is permitted in some Rhode Island municipalities.^[3]

For additional detail, see: Laws governing recall in Rhode Island

Initiative process availability

The initiative process is available in 11 of Rhode Island's 39 charter municipalities.^[4]

Authority

Rhode Island Constitution, Article XIII grants municipalities the power to create their own charters.

Initiative process features

There is no state prescribed initiative process either for ordinances or charter amendment.

Initiative process in the 8 cities

Four of the eight cities in Rhode Island grant initiative for ordinances in their charter.

Individual city provisions

Providence

Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 178,053.^[5] Providence is a charter city. Providence provides a two-step process to place an initiated ordinance on the ballot. The signature requirement is 1,000 qualified electors of the city to have council consideration of the proposed ordinance. If the council fails to adopt, a second petition with 5% of the qualified electors of the city must be filed to have the proposed ordinance placed on the ballot at the next general election. The second petition must be filed at least 60 days prior to the general election. Petition content requirements are in Providence Charter, Sec. 209. Majority vote passes the ordinance. An ordinance so adopted shall not be altered or modified by the city council within one year after adoption of the ordinance at said general election.

Restrictions: Power shall not extend to the budget or capital programs or to any ordinance relating to the appropriation of money, or to the levy of taxes or to the salaries and benefits of city officials or employees.

Providence Charter, Sec. 209

Warwick

Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 82,361.^[5] Warwick is a charter city and does not authorize initiative.

Cranston

Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 80,392.^[5] Cranston is a charter city. Cranston provides a two-step process to place an initiated ordinance on the ballot. The signature requirement is 20% of the qualified electors of the city to have council consideration of the proposed ordinance. If the council fails to adopt, a second petition with 5% of the qualified electors of the city must be filed to have the proposed ordinance placed on the ballot at the next general election. The second petition must be filed at least 60 days prior to the general election. Petition content requirements are in Cranston Charter, Sec. 3.23. Majority vote passes the ordinance. An ordinance so adopted shall not be altered or modified by the city council within one year after adoption of the ordinance at said general election.

Restrictions: Initiative is not available for operating budget ordinances and capital budget ordinances.

Cranston Charter, Sec. 3.23

Pawtucket

Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 71,153.^[5] Pawtucket is a charter city.Signature requirement is 10% of the number of registered electors in the city as of the date of certification, said total to include the valid signatures of at least 5% of the electors resident in each of the six wards of the city. Any elector or group of electors who desire to circulate an initiative petition shall first file notice of their intention to do so, together with a copy of the petition, with the city clerk, and with the city solicitor for form approval. Petition content requirements are in Pawtucket Charter, Sec. 6-200 to 205. Petitions must be filed within 60 days of pre-approval. After certification, shall be placed on the ballot for the next ensuing state general election or municipal election, whichever come first with sufficient time for placement of the initiative question thereon. Majority vote passes the ordinance. No ordinance thus enacted shall be repealed or be the subject of any substantive amendment by the city council for a period of three years following the effective date thereof.

Restrictions: Power shall not extend to the budget or capital programs to the levy of taxes, or to the salaries and benefits of city officials or employees.

Pawtucket Charter, Sec. 6-200 to 205

East Providence

Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 47,039.^[5] East Providence is a charter city and does not authorize initiative.

Woonsocket

Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 41,188.^[5]: Woonsocket is a charter city and does not authorize initiative.

Newport

According to the 2010 census, the population of Newport was 24,619 people.^[5] Newport is a charter city. Signature requirement is 10% of the number of persons registered to vote at the time of the last regular municipal election. Petition content requirements are in Newport Charter, Sec. 2-14a. All signatures shall be gathered within a six-month time limit. After certification, the council has 60 days to adopt, or shall submit to electors not less than 30 days nor more than one year from the date the council takes its final vote thereon. The council may, in its discretion, and if no regular election is to be held within such period shall, provide for a special election.

Restrictions: Initiative is not available for an ordinance appropriating money or authorizing the levy of taxes.

Newport Charter, Sec. 2-13 to 2-16

Central Falls

Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 19,379 people.^[5] Central Falls is a charter city and does not authorize initiative.

Local I&R Laws in the 50 States

Source: Local Ballot Initiatives: How citizens change laws with clipboards, conversations, and campaigns

External links

Footnotes

[1] U.S. Census Bureau, "2022 Census of Governments – Organization," accessed October 16, 2023

[2] National Association of Counties Website, "Overview of County Government," accessed September 11, 2013

[3] GoLocalProv, "Effort Underway to Recall Providence Councilman," March 10, 2012

[4] Ballotpedia, "Types & #s of local government by state," September 2012

[census-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 ^5.4 ^5.5 ^5.6 ^5.7 US Census, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Rhode Island: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011

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Laws governing local ballot measures in Rhode Island

Contents

Types of local government

School districts

Local recall rules

Initiative process availability

Authority

Initiative process features

Initiative process in the 8 cities

Providence

Warwick

Cranston

Pawtucket

East Providence

Woonsocket

Newport

Central Falls

See also

External links

Footnotes

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