The South Kingstown Board of Canvassers has recently verified the signatures on two budget referendum petitions, and due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Canvassers has requested that the referendum be postponed in order to protect public health and encourage the use of emergency ballots.
The Town Manager has authorized the budget referendum to be postponed from Tuesday June 9th, 2020 to Tuesday July 14th, 2020, through Executive Order 2020-10. The delay is intended to allow the Town to conduct an election in the safest possible manner while also ensuring that as many qualified voters as possible may exercise their right to vote.
Voters at the Budget Referendum will consider two petitions: One petition seeks to reduce the Tax Transfer to the School Fund by $1.1 million, and the second petition seeks to reduce the General Fund by $300,000.
The deadline to register to vote for this election is Sunday, June 14, 2020. You can register to vote, or check your current voter registration on the Secretary of State’s website www.sos.ri.gov. Voter registrations forms and Emergency Ballot applications are available in the outdoor boxes located at Town Hall and the Peace Dale Library. The Emergency Ballot Application for the July 14th Budget Referendum is also available for download on the Town’s website.
To vote by mail you must complete an Emergency Ballot Application and mail or deliver the application to the Town Hall, 180 High Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Ballots will be mailed to persons who complete an Emergency Ballot Application, unless the ballot is received in person. Voted Emergency Ballots must be returned by mail or in person to the Board of Canvassers at Town Hall no later than Monday, July 13, 2020 at 4pm.
Qualified electors may vote by Emergency Ballot in person at the Town Hall no later than Monday, July 13, 2020 at 4pm. Please call 789-9331, extension 1230 for an appointment.
The Budget Referendum will be held at the Community Recreation Center, 30 St. Dominic Road, Wakefield on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 from 8am to 8pm.