Cranston Council Candidate Melillo Raises Concerns About Delay in Special Election Date

Cranston Council Candidate Melillo Raises Concerns About Delay in Special Election Date

Cranston City Council candidate Anthony Melillo (R-Ward 6) on Saturday issued a statement expressing concerns over the planned date for the special election for Ward Six voters created by the resignation of former Councilman Matthew R. Reilly.

On Friday, May 26th, the Cranston Board of Canvassers adopted an election timetable for the special election that would be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.  If there is a need for a primary election, it will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. 

Melillo said the local board approval must be officially adopted by the Rhode Island Board of Elections at an upcoming meeting.

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Melillo, who said that he is the only formally announced candidate for the Ward Six seat, said, “I am concerned that the residents of the ward will be without a voting and seated council member until late October.”

“I know there are certain logistical and legal requirements to undertake for a special election. That is a long time for voters not to have their own ward representative on the city council,” said Melillo.

Melillo added, “I understand an alternative date was considered by the canvassing board that would have held the special election on September 5th, a month earlier.”  He stated, “I respect the various considerations they had in arriving at their decision.”  “The bottom line is the constituents will be missing a direct voice and representative on the City Council until October.”

Melillo presently serves on the Cranston School Committee.