Campaign 2022 is well underway, with competitive races in high profile offices, and the expectation of millions of dollars being raised and spent by candidates. And we’re still three months from when candidates must declare their intentions.

The Democratic gubernatorial primary election will be competitive for major offices, including governor and the second Congressional district seat, and possibly treasurer. There’s still plenty of time for candidates to get into these races. On the GOP side, so far, it appears a primary is shaping up for the second Congressional district seat.

What are the deadlines for which candidates and voters must be aware? According to the Secretary of State’s website:

Voters:

  • The deadline to register to vote in the Sept. 13 primary election is August 14.
  • The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election is Oct 9.

Candidates: 

  • Declaration of Candidacy, a document candidates file to start the process of becoming a candidate. Individuals declare for a particular office. If they wish to run as a party candidate, they must also “declare” themselves as a member of that party. Candidates must file between June 27-29.
    • To file, the form is available on the Secretary of State’s website (https://vote.sos.ri.gov/). The site has the form, specific instructions on how to fill it out and where to file the form.
  • Nomination papers, forms on which candidates obtain valid signatures of registered voters eligible to vote for the office the candidate is seeking. Below is the required number of signatures for each office that allows the candidate to be on the ballot.
    • President 1,000
    • Delegates   150
    • U.S. Senator   500
    • U.S. Representative   250
    • Governor 1,000
    • Lt. Governor   500
    • Secretary of State   500
    • General Treasurer   500 
    • Attorney General   500
    • State Senator   100
    • State Representative     50 
    • Local offices Varies with local Boards of Canvassers   
  • Nomination papers for presidential electors, Senators and Representatives in Congress must be obtained from the state Board of Elections, 148 W. River St., Providence. For all other offices candidates pick up papers from the local Board of Canvassers where they filed their Declaration of Candidacy. The date that nomination papers must be returned has yet to be determined.
  • Withdrawal of Candidacy, deadline is to be determined.
  • Board of Election financial reports are due quarterly on April 30 (for first quarter of 2022), July 31 (for the second quarter of 2022), October 31 (for the third quarter of 2022).

Frank Prosnitz

Frank Prosnitz brings to WhatsUpNewp several years in journalism, including 10 as editor of the Providence (RI) Business News and 14 years as a reporter and bureau manager at the Providence (RI) Journal. Prosnitz began his journalism career as a sportswriter at the Asbury Park (NJ) Press, moving to The News Tribune (Woodbridge, NJ), before joining the Providence Journal. Prosnitz hosts the Morning Show on WLBQ radio (Westerly), 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, and It’s Your Business, also on WBLQ, Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Prosnitz has twice won Best in Business Awards from the national Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW), twice was named Media Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration, won an investigative reporter’s award from the New England Press Association, and newswriting award from the Rhode Island Press Association.