Measure on the ballot in the 2020 Rhode Island General Election in Rhode Island.
View your personalized ballot, check your voter registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot with BallotReady.
Get StartedThis amendment would change the official state name from "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "State of Rhode Island".
An "APPROVE" vote on State Question 1 is a vote in support of changing the official state name from "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "State of Rhode Island".
A "REJECT" vote on State Question 1 is a vote to keep the official state name as "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."
“Rhode Island built its economy on being a leader in the slave trade in colonial times. This old, festering wound still needs healing. We aren’t proud of that history, and we must stop glorifying a word that is inescapably associated with that terrible past.”, in support of State Question 1 (Learn more)
“We have genuine work ahead of us to bring about true equality and justice for all. We are collectively taking this step as an inclusive symbol to demonstrate that we are all Rhode Islanders. Period.”, in support of State Question 1 (Learn more)
“It’s part of our history. It has nothing to do with anything negative unless you want to make it that.”, in opposition to State Question 1 (Learn more)
“I can understand why some people in the spirit of the times would want to delete that \[word], but history is history... and I see no reason to rewrite it.”, in opposition to State Question 1 (Learn more)
Approval of the amendment to the Title, Preamble, Section 3 of Article III, and Section 8 of Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution set forth below will have the effect of changing the official name of the State from “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” to “State of Rhode Island”: Full text of amendment for Question 1 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND PREAMBLE We, the people of this State which state shall henceforth be known as the state of Rhode Island, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit the same, unimpaired, to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution of government. ARTICLE III OF QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE Section 3. Oath of general officers. - - All general officers shall take the following engagement before they act in their respective offices, to wit: You being by the free vote of the electors of this state of Rhode Island, elected unto the place of do solemnly swear (or, affirm) to be true and faithful unto this state, and to support the Constitution of this state and of the United States; that you will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties of your aforesaid office to the best of your abilities, according to law: So help you God. [Or: This affirmation you make and give upon the peril of the penalty of perjury.] ARTICLE IX OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER Section 8. Commissions. - - All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the State of Rhode Island; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor, and attested by the secretary.
View your personalized ballot, check your voter registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot with BallotReady.