PLEDGE TO ACTTHE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN Rhode Island
MAKE AN IMPACT FOR DEMOCRACY
Democracy starts with each of us—and together, we can make a major impact when we speak up for what’s right. We know the ultimate power in a democracy is the people. We are powerful, fearless, ordinary Americans working together to build a democracy that works for us all.
Take action! Join in the democracy work of the organizations below:
- ACLU of Rhode Island
- Common Cause Rhode Island
- League of Women Voters of Rhode Island
- NAACP Rhode Island
- Open Doors Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Disability Law Center
- Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group
LEARN MORE ABOUT NEW VOTING AND ELECTION BILLS IN RHODE ISLAND
An online database created by the Brennan Center has all the most recent information on restrictive and expansive voting bills that are being proposed or have passed in your state. Make sure to stay up-to-date!
VISIT A ‘ONE-STOP-SHOP’ FOR ELECTION INFO: VOTE411.ORG FOR RHODE ISLAND
VOTE411 is a “one-stop-shop” for election information created by League of Women Voters. Get your Personalized Voting Information to find your polling place, see what’s on your ballot, check your voter registration, learn ID requirements, and much more!
VOLUNTEER AT THE POLLS IN RHODE ISLAND
An online portal developed by the Fair Elections Center to share state by state information on poll worker requirements and applications for each state.
LEARN WHERE THE POLITICAL MONEY COMES FROM IN RHODE ISLAND
A searchable database by Open Secrets with profiles showing you who’s making the big political contributions in your state, as well as where the money’s coming from.
LEARN HOW DEMOCRACY REFORMS BECOME LAW IN RHODE ISLAND
Twenty-four states, including Rhode Island, do not feature a process for citizen-led ballot initiatives. This means that a state legislator must sponsor a bill in order for it to be voted on to become law. This requires you to be in relationship with your state legislatures. Some tactics used in these states to pressure on them to act are community powered lobbying, marching, and nonviolent civil disobedience. LEARN MORE!
Rhode Island DEMOCRACY REFORM AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL IS POSSIBLE TOO!
Learn more about the Freedom to Vote Act.
Urgent Action
VOLUNTEER TO PROTECT THE VOTE!
Join Common Cause’s Election Protection program makes sure eligible voters know how to cast their ballots and ensure they are counted. Sign up to help voters — by monitoring polling places, contacting voters, watchdogging social media for disinformation, and more!
GUARD YOUR OWN VOTE!
The right to vote and have our voices heard is fundamental to our democracy. Our democracy is stronger when every eligible American participates, confident that when they cast a vote that it will be counted. Make sure you are registered to vote and know where your polling place is located!
Success Stories
The RI Redistricting Commission hearing on prison gerrymandering
The Rhode Island Redistricting Commission devoted a meeting to discuss the issue of prison gerrymandering, the process of not counting incarcerated individuals as living at their pre-incarceration address but at the prison for the purposes of drawing election maps. The process as it currently exists causes communities of color to be politically under-represented and the communities around prisons to be over-represented.
A corrupt process from the core, Rhode Island redistricting wraps up
Rhode Island’s redistricting process has been far from fair. The vote to approve the redistricting legislation came after two hearings in the House Committee on State Government and Elections. The public had ample opportunity to express their displeasure with the bill and in fact, not one person testified in favor of the bill or the process. Read more about RI’s redistricting from Uprise RI!