Ten Things You Need to Know About the RI Presidential Primary

Competing Polls

Dueling Polls

The Brown University Poll released on Sunday has Clinton leading. 

Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders 43 to 34 percent with 16 percent undecided. Sanders leads among voters under the age of 45.

Sanders garners 48 percent of those under 45 to Clinton’s 34 percent. Clinton wins 52 percent of voters age 65 and older, with 23 percent for Sanders. 

Women strongly favor Clinton, at 47 percent versus 30 percent for Sanders. Among men, Clinton received 39 percent of the likely vote to Sanders’ 38 percent. 

Clinton’s strongest support lies with African American voters, at 63 percent, to 13 percent for Sanders. A majority of Latino voters favor Clinton, 55 percent to 36 percent for Sanders. Among white voters, Clinton’s lead is less decisive: 42 percent to Sanders’ 35 percent, according to the Brown poll.

New Public Policy Polling surveys in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island conducted on behalf of VoteVets.Org Action Fund found that in Rhode Island:

* Sanders has a 49/45 lead;
* Clinton’s up 54/40 with "actual Democrats" in RI;
* Sanders is up 67/28 among independents planning to vote in the Democratic primary and that gives him the overall lead.

Bernie Bash

Bernie 2016 to Host Rhode Island Primary Results Watch Party 

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders' Rhode Island campaign on Tuesday will host an Election Day party in Providence to watch returns. Joe Caiazzo, the campaign's Rhode Island state political director, will speak to the gathered staff and volunteers.

Rhode Island is one of five states voting on April 26. 

Party Info

8:30 p.m. Primary Results Watch Party, Garden Room, Biltmore Hotel, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence

Information for the public: Doors open at 8:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is encouraged. 

Sanders Supporters Mad

Sanders Supporters Furious with Gorbea

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea is coming under stinging criticism for the organization and lack of polling places available for tomorrow’s primary in RI. Much of the criticism has come from those supporting Bernie Sanders that fear long lines will deter new voters. Gorbea has endorsed Hillary Clinton for President.

Gorbea ran for Secretary of State on a platform of expanding access for voters. Her campaign web site promised that she would “ensure fair, fast and accurate elections.”  

In one post to Gorbea’s Facebook page, Kevilina Burbank wrote,”Do you think people are flat out stupid? In a record breaking voter turnout year, you close 60 polling places *after* what happened in AZ? You'll be voted out. It's a matter of time.”

In response Gorbea wrote, “We don't think people are stupid. In Rhode Island, polling places are overseen by the Board of Elections. They traditionally open fewer polls for presidential primaries because voter turnout us usually much lower. It is great to see such enthusiasm around the presidential primary this year. We encourage everyone to bring that enthusiasm to the polls tomorrow. If you can't get to the polls tomorrow, be sure to go to your local board of canvassers today to cast an emergency mail ballot.”

Gorbea’s Defense

"The Secretary is not going to second guess the Board of Elections who worked closely with the Board of Canvassers. There are clearly defined roles for the Secretary of State, and the Board of Elections, who is not under the purview of the Secretary of State," said Gorbea's spokesperson Nicole Lagace in a phone interview with GoLocalProv.

"This was a data-driven decision by the Board of Elections based on past presidential primaries -- it's great to see so much enthusiasm this year. The fewer polling places are a direct result of previous turnouts. In 2008, there were 177. In 2012, when there was a dismal turnout, there were 135.  This year it will be 144.  If more people turn out this year, then the Board of Elections will likely increase that number for the next election," said Lagace.

Clinton x 3

Three Clinton Visits in a Week

Former President Bill Clinton visited last week. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came in on Saturday to Rhode Island. Monday, former President Clinton came back again -- his second visit in a week.

On Monday, the former President visited both Woonsocket and Providence.

Sanders Crowd

How Big Was Sanders Crowd?

Sunday's Bernie Sanders crowd was big, but the key to Sanders' success on Tuesday is getting young voters out. Sanders needs to turn out the energy and the momentum of the Roger Williams Park crowds and turn it into primary votes.

Photo: Amy Espinal

Common Cause Cautions

Warnings Being issued

Common Cause Rhode Island is calling on voters to take extra precautions ahead of tomorrow's Presidential Preference Primary.

"In light of the decision by the state Board of Elections to consolidate the number of polling places, and the anticipated high turnout, we urge Rhode Islanders to be prepared before they vote," says John Marion, Common Cause executive director. "The three most important pieces of information every voter should know are the location of their polling place, who will be appearing on their primary ballot, and what forms of Photo ID they should bring with them."

Marion noted, however, "Registered voters should also know that even if they do not have a proper ID they can still cast a provisional ballot which will be counted once their registration is verified."

The organization urges voters who can to vote at off-peak hours, avoiding the early morning and after work rush. Additionally, Common Cause calls on local Boards of Canvassers to make sure that voters with disabilities and elderly voters who may not be able to wait in extended lines are given sufficient accommodations. 

Common Cause is a partner in the national Election Protection Coalition , which helps all American voters, gain access to the polls and overcome obstacles to voting. Voters are encouraged to call 1-866-OUR-VOTE if they encounter problems at the polls.

Trump Numbers

A Big Win in RI Matters

Trump needs every delegate to reach the much needed 1,237 to win the GOP nomination. As of today, Trump has secured 845 delegates and he needs all 19 Republican delegates in RI.

As of Monday, there were still 731 GOP delegates uncommitted.

DOJ

U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI Prepared to Respond to Complaints of Election Fraud & Voting Rights Abuses

U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced Monday that Assistant United States Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly will be the point person in RI in his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for Tuesday's Presidential primary elections.

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. "The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day," said the DOJ.

To report suspected election fraud or voting rights abuses at the polls in Rhode Island, the United States Attorney’s Office can be reached by the public at (401) 709-5068.  In addition, the FBI field office in Rhode Island will be prepared to receive allegations of voting fraud and other election abuses at (401) 272-8310.

Clinton Party

Hillary for Rhode Island to Hold Primary Night Watch Party in Providence

The Clinton campaign will host a primary night watch party in Providence for grassroots volunteers and voters from across the state to "come together and watch primary night election results."

"Attendees will have the opportunity to cheer Clinton on and share with other supporters why they believe that she is the best candidate to break down barriers holding Rhode Islanders back," says the campaign.

Primary Night Campaign Watch Party
WHEN: Tuesday, April 26 at 8:00 PM
WHERE: G Pub, 61 Orange Street, Providence, RI 02903

No Cruz

Kasich, Sanders, Clinton and Trump All Came

Ted Cruz was the only GOP or Democratic candidate NOT to visit Rhode Island, but his campaign did send out the below email to build support with Rhode Islanders.

TED CRUZ FOR PRESIDENT

RHODE ISLAND PRIMARY
TUESDAY APRIL 26

TED’S CONSERVATIVE PRIORITIES

HONOR & PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION
CRUSH THE WASHINGTON CARTEL
REPEAL OBAMACARE
GROW THE ECONOMY
DEFEND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
RESTORE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP GLOBALLY
FIGHT FOR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
PROTECT THE LIFE OF THE UNBORN
DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD
STOP AMNESTY
STOP THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR DEAL
ABOLISH THE IRS
PROTECT & HONOR OUR VETERANS
END COMMON CORE
DEFEND THE 2ND AMENDMENT

Bonus - VOTING INFO

Need information about where or how to vote?

Click here for information of the Rhode Island Secretary of State's office on how and where to vote -- CLICK HERE