Summary

Poll sites and election rules changed

ProvidenceJan 20, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The Board of Canvassers approved several election-related changes, including moving and combining precincts, increasing pay for election day officials, and sending mailers about the permanent mail ballot list.

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Board of Canvassers

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Budget & TaxElections

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What this means

The board approved a set of changes that will affect where some residents vote and how election staff are organized and paid. Several precincts were moved or combined, including changes tied to Asa Messer School, Kennedy School, Mount Pleasant High School, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the Center for Southeast Asians, and George J. West School. The board also backed proposed election legislation, agreed to hold Candidate School for the 2026 election, and reviewed the FY 27 budget.

Key decisions

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Supported a legislative packet from the Board of Elections on mail ballot oath envelope signature certification and extending recount request deadlines from 7 to 9 days for state and federal offices.
Supported a legislative packet from the Secretary of State including changes to voter registration timing, primary election timing, an online nomination paper portal, and online voting for UOCAVA and disabled voters.
Supported a legislative packet from the Rhode Island Town and City Clerks Association covering write-in vote reform, primary date changes, board appointment changes, and replacing the voter registration ad with an early voting ad or mailer.
Moved precincts 2808, 2844, and 2825 from Asa Messer School to West Broadway Middle School Gym/Auditorium.
Moved precinct 2856 to precinct 2855 at Mount Pleasant High School, eliminating precinct 2856 and increasing the registered vote there to 3,623.
Moved precinct 2854 from Kennedy School to the Providence Water Supply Board.
Combined precinct 2823 with precinct 2822, eliminating precinct 2823 and bringing the combined total to 3,392 registered voters.
Combined precinct 2809 with precinct 2810, eliminating precinct 2809 and bringing the combined total to 3,618 registered voters.
Combined precinct 2858 with precinct 2857, eliminating precinct 2858 and bringing the combined total to 3,488 registered voters.
Increased Election Day official pay effective September 1, 2026: Moderator $300, Clerk $300, Supervisor $250, Greeter $225.
Approved a mailing to voters who used mail ballots in the last two elections asking whether they want to join the permanent mail ballot application list.
Added the position of Precinct Manager to Election Day officials.
Approved holding Candidate School for the 2026 election.

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Meeting information

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Board of Canvassers - Regular Meeting

Jan 20, 2026, 3:00 PMcompleted

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