FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, June 16, 2022
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ross Sherman, RepresentUs PR Strategist, 207-749-2660, rsherman@represent.us
Rhode Island voters will have vastly-improved access to the ballot box following passage of the Let RI Vote Act. The Act, which Gov. Daniel McKee signed last week, grants every Rhode Islander voter the freedom to request an absentee ballot if they so choose.
RepresentUs played a key role in the law’s passage, working in partnership with organizations on the ground. The victory in Rhode Island comes after significant pro-democracy wins in Missouri, North Dakota and Vermont last month. RepresentUs has now racked up 160 state and local victories since its founding in 2012.
“Overnight, Rhode Island went from being one of the hardest states to vote absentee to a national leader in voter access. This win reinforces what we’ve known since our founding: Passing laws in states across the country is one of the most impactful ways we can protect and strengthen democracy. Each victory moves us one step closer to making America’s democracy the beacon of hope for the world,” said RepresentUs CEO Joshua Graham Lynn. “The real credit goes to the leaders on the ground in Rhode Island for putting country over party to get this done.”
RepresentUs partnered with Let RI Vote to pass the Let R.I. Vote Act. Before 2020, Rhode Island required voters to have an excuse to vote absentee. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state let any registered voter get an absentee ballot. The new Act enshrines those 2020 changes into law: allowing any voter to request a mail ballot online without an excuse; eliminating a witness or notary requirement; and making drop boxes available 24 hours a day during early voting. The law also enhances the voter registration list maintenance process to ensure rolls are accurate.
“The Let RI Vote Act makes voting easier, safer, and more secure, and making it easier to give Rhode Islanders a voice in their government should always be our top priority,” Gov. McKee said in a statement.
“By committing to our fiercely nonpartisan strategy, we’ve been able to help give millions of voters across the country a greater voice in our democracy and more choices about who represents them,” said RepresentUs Interim Director of Political Campaigns Megan Caska. “Hitting the 160 wins mark is a big deal – and we’re already looking ahead to the next one.”
RepresentUs addresses the root causes of America’s broken political system by passing reforms in cities and states to build momentum for reforms to sweep the nation. This year, RepresentUs is focused on passing popular, common sense reforms including Ranked Choice Voting, anti-gerrymandering, and campaign finance laws.
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RepresentUs is America’s leading nonpartisan organization fighting to protect and strengthen democracy. We unite unlikely allies from across the political spectrum who put country over party to pass pro-democracy laws, fight corruption, and defeat authoritarian threats. We have won more than 150 victories in cities and states across America since our founding 10 years ago. Each win is one step closer to our vision of making America the world’s strongest democracy.