Beginning tomorrow (Monday, June 25) candidates for statewide and local office will begin filing their declarations of candidacy, a process that runs through Wednesday (June 27) for local candidates and Thursday for federal and statewide general officeholders.. It is the first major step in a process that will culminate in the General Election on November 6.
Those running for U.S. Senate or House of Representatives and individuals running for statewide general offices – Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, General Treasurer, and Attorney General file their declarations at the state Board of Elections, 148 River St., Providence.
Candidates for General Assembly (Senate or House) file at their local Board of Canvassers in the city or town in which they vote. Other local offices and state party committee positions file at the local Board of Canvassers in the city or town in which they live.
If everyone who has announced for statewide office actually files it then promises to be a very active election season, with important primary elections (Sept. 12) leading up to the General Election.
The most hotly contested primary elections appear for governor in both parties, and for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
In the gubernatorial race, announced Democratic candidate are Gov. Gina Raimondo, former Secretary of State Matt Brown, and former state Rep. Spencer Dickinson. On the Republican side, Mayor Alan Fung of Cranston faces House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan, and former state Senator Giovanni Feroce.
The race for the Democratic Lt. Governor nomination pits incumbent Dan McKee against state Rep. Aaron Regunberg.
Following the filing of Declarations of Candidacy, the state parties and local town committees will meet and offer endorsements to their preferred candidates. Some town committees have already made their endorsements.
On July 3, candidates pick up their nomination papers, which are due back at their local Board of Canvassers, with the required number of signatures on July 16. The following day is the deadline for candidates to withdraw their candidacies.