The Rhode Island Board of Elections voted unanimously Thursday to uphold the Newport Board of Canvassers’ rejection of Scott Sivko’s candidacy for Newport City Council Ward 3.
Sivko’s declaration of candidacy was denied due to residency issues and late filing of required documents.
The board met on Aug. 15 to hear Sivko’s appeal but proceeded without him after he notified officials shortly before the meeting that he could not attend due to car trouble.
Newport City Solicitor Christopher Behan objected to a continuance, citing time constraints for upcoming elections.
“Our elections administrator and our board of canvassers does need to move forward and they have to work on what will be a primary soon,” Behan said.
Hugh Moren, Newport’s elections administrator, testified that Sivko attempted to file his declaration of candidacy by email on June 26, the deadline day. However, the original signed document did not arrive until June 28, postmarked from New Jersey.
Moren also raised concerns about Sivko’s residency. “When he filed on 6/26, he was a registered voter at Ward 2 at 40 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard in Newport,” Morin said.
Sivko provided multiple addresses within 24 hours, including a PO box at the federal post office building, which is not zoned for residential use.
Two pieces of mail sent to Sivko’s claimed address at 14 Old Fort Road were returned by the property owner, who stated Sivko did not live there.
“I believe he’s homeless,” Moren said when asked about Sivko’s current residence.
The board ultimately affirmed Newport’s decision based on the residency issues, following advice from legal counsel to focus on that aspect rather than the late filing of documents.
With the decision, Incumbent Third Ward Councilor David Carlin III will run unopposed for the Third Ward in the upcoming General Election on November 5.
Video Of The Meeting
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