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Rhode Island Question 1, Name Change Amendment (2020)
| Rhode Island Question 1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic Constitutional language | |
| Status | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin State legislature |
Rhode Island Question 1, the Name Change Amendment, was on the ballot in Rhode Island as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020.[1][2] It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported amending the Rhode Island Constitution to remove "Providence Plantations" from the official state name in the Preamble, Article III (Oath of Officers), and Article IX (Commissions). |
A "no" vote opposed amending the Rhode Island Constitution and maintains the official full state name as the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." |
Election results
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Rhode Island Question 1 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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247,261 | 53.12% | ||
| No | 218,175 | 46.88% | ||
Overview
How did Question 1 change the state's official name?
Question 1 removed "Providence Plantations" from official state name references in the Preamble, Article III, and Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution. The official name at the time of the election was the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."[2]
Other government officials have already removed "Plantations" from state and local documents. On June 19, 2020, the mayor of Providence, Jorge Elorza (D), signed an executive order that removed "Plantations" from city documents and oath ceremonies. On June 22, 2020, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (D) issued an executive order that removed "Plantations" from all documents and stationery used by her office. She also ordered that all executive agencies under the governor's control remove "Plantations" from agency stationery, electronic letterhead, pay stubs, and all other mediums of communication.[3][4]
Have there been other efforts in the past to change the official state name?
- See also: Question 1 (2010)
Voters defeated Rhode Island Name Change Amendment, Question 1, in 2010 with 77.9 percent of voters deciding against the change. Question 1 was introduced by Representatives Joseph Almeida (D), Anastasia Williams (D), and Grace Diaz (D) on February 4, 2009. The measure would have changed the state's official name from "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "Rhode Island."[5]
How did Question 1 get placed on the ballot?
- See also: Path to the ballot
Two versions of the amendment were introduced. Senate Resolution 2902 (S 2902) was introduced on June 17, 2020, by Sen. Harold Metts (D), Sen. Sandra Cano (D), Sen. Ana Quezada (D), Sen. Dominick Ruggerio (D), and Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D). On June 18, 2020, the state Senate passed S 2902 in a vote of 38-0. House Resolution 8077 (HR 8077) was sponsored in the state House by Democratic Representatives Anastasia Williams, Joseph Almeida, Joseph Solomon Jr., Karen Alzate, and Raymond Hull. On July 16, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the measure in a vote of 69-1 with five not voting. On the same day, the state Senate concurred on HR 8077.[1]
Text of the measure
Ballot question
The ballot question for Question 1 was as follows:
| “ |
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': [ ] Approve [ ] Reject[6] |
” |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Preamble, Article III, and Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution
Question 1 amended the Preamble, section 3 of Article III, and section 8 of Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution. The following underlined text was added, and struck-through text was deleted:[2]
Text of Preamble:
We, the people of this State which state shall henceforth be known as the state of Rhode Islandthe State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 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
Text of 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 and Providence Plantations, 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 Text of Section 8: Commissions
All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor, and attested by the secretary.
[6]
Readability score
- See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2020
| Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The state legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure.
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Support
Vote Yes on 1 led the campaign in support of Question 1.[7]
Supporters
Officials
- State Senator Sandra Cano (D)
- State Senator Maryellen Goodwin (D)
- State Senator Harold Metts (D)
- State Senator Ana Quezada (D)
- State Senator Dominick Ruggerio (D)
- State Representative Joseph Almeida (D)
- State Representative Karen Alzate (D)
- State Representative Raymond Hull (D)
- State Representative Joseph Solomon Jr. (D)
- State Representative Anastasia Williams (D)
Arguments
Campaign advertisements
The following video was released by Yes on 1:[8]
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Opposition
If you are aware of any opponents or opposing arguments, please send an email with a link to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Opponents
Officials
- State Representative Justin Price (R)
Individuals
- Patrick Conley - Rhode Island historian
Arguments
Other opinions
- Ashley Stokes, a Rhode Island resident and activist said, "I would be very disappointed that the focus becomes removing a word ... but a year or two from now we have done absolutely nothing to add the contributions of African Americans to the curriculums of Rhode Island schools, or corrected the injustices of our criminal justice system."[9]
Campaign finance
There were two ballot committee registered in support of Question 1: Rhode Island United and Remove Plantations Rhode Island. The committees reported over $111,000 in contributions.[10]
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $108,934.00 | $2,354.56 | $111,288.56 | $110,563.98 | $112,918.54 |
| Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $108,934.00 | $2,354.56 | $111,288.56 | $110,563.98 | $112,918.54 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in support of Question 1.[10]
| Committees in support of Question 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| Rhode Island United | $108,294.00 | $420.58 | $108,714.58 | $107,990.00 | $108,410.58 |
| Remove Plantations Rhode Island | $640.00 | $1,933.98 | $2,573.98 | $2,573.98 | $4,507.96 |
| Total | $108,934.00 | $2,354.56 | $111,288.56 | $110,563.98 | $112,918.54 |
Donors
The following table shows the top donors to the support committees.[10]
| Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Foundation | $75,000.00 | $0.00 | $75,000.00 |
| Kate Ramstad | $15,000.00 | $0.00 | $15,000.00 |
| Friends of Gina Raimondo | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | $5,000.00 |
| Pannone, Lopes, Devereaux & O'Gara, LLC | $2,500.00 | $0.00 | $2,500.00 |
| RI AFL-CIO | $2,000.00 | $0.00 | $2,000.00 |
Opposition
Ballotpedia did not identify any committees registered in opposition to Question 1.
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Background
Rhode Island Question 1, Name Change Amendment (2010)
Question 1 was introduced by Representatives Joseph Almeida (D), Anastasia Williams (D), and Grace Diaz (D) on February 4, 2009. The measure would have changed the state's official name from "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "Rhode Island." It was defeated with 77.9 percent of the vote.[5][11]
Representative Joseph Almeida, who sponsored the bill, said at the time, "It's high time for us to recognize that slavery happened on plantations in Rhode Island and decide that we don't want that chapter of our history to be a proud part of our name." Keith Stokes, former executive director for the Rhode Island Economic Council, who traced his ancestry to African slaves brought to colonial Newport in the 17th century, opposed the measure. Stokes said that changing the name would be “at best historical revisionism and at worst downright censorship. I strongly urge Rhode Islanders to reject any effort to rewrite Rhode Island history by eliminating 'plantations' from our official state name. We learn more by looking at ourselves honestly in the clear light of day than we do by hiding or uselessly trying to erase our past.”[12][13][14]
George Floyd's death and protests
On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officers arrested George Floyd, a Black man, after receiving a call that he had made a purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill.[15] Floyd died after one officer, Derek Chauvin, arrived at the scene and pressed his knee onto Floyd's neck as Floyd laid face-down on the street in handcuffs.[16] Both the Hennepin County Medical Examiner and an independent autopsy conducted by Floyd's family ruled Floyd's death as a homicide stemming from the incident.[17]
After the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, protests against racism and the debate about confederate flags, symbols, and statues resurfaced. In Mississippi, the state legislature passed House Bill 1796, which removed the state flag's official status and established the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag. The committee was established to design a new state flag to be voted on by Mississippi voters at the November 2020 election.[18]
Official state name removed from government documents
On June 19, 2020, the mayor of Providence, Jorge Elorza (D), signed an executive order that removed "Plantations" from city documents and oath ceremonies. In a statement regarding the order, Mayor Elorza said, "I firmly believe that in order to truly say we are an inclusive and kind city, we must commit to an active, anti-racist stance at every level in our city. Though this does not correct generations of pain and violence against our Black and Indigenous residents, this Juneteenth we can take this step to build a better, brighter future together. I want to thank the community members that led this work and that continue to raise their voices in our city and across the country, demanding change."[3]
On June 22, 2020, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (D) issued an executive order that removed "Plantations" from all documents and stationery used by her office. She also ordered that all executive agencies under the governor's control remove "Plantations" from agency stationery, electronic letterhead, pay stubs, and all other mediums of communication.[4]
Official state name changes
As of August 2020, no state had ever voted on changing its name without some change in territory involved, such as the statehood of West Virginia. In 1949 and 1989, the North Dakota Legislature tried to pass a resolution to remove "North" from the state's official name, but both resolutions did not pass the state legislature.[19]
Ballot measures in Rhode Island
Rhode Island does not allow the initiative and referendum process. The Rhode Island State Legislature can refer constitutional amendments, statutes, and bond issues to the ballot for voter consideration.
A total of 75 measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1995 and 2018. Between 1995 and 2018, 82.67 percent (62 of 75) of statewide ballots were approved by voters, and 17.33 percent (13 of 75) were defeated.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Rhode Island Constitution
To put a legislatively referred constitutional amendment before voters, a simple majority vote is required in both the Rhode Island State Senate and the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
Two versions of the amendment were introduced. Senate Resolution 2902 (S 2902) was introduced on June 17, 2020, by Sen. Harold Metts (D), Sen. Sandra Cano (D), Sen. Ana Quezada (D), Sen. Dominick Ruggerio (D), and Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D). On June 18, 2020, the state Senate passed S 2902 in a vote of 38-0. House Resolution 8077 (HR 8077) was sponsored in the state House by Democratic Representatives Anastasia Williams, Joseph Almeida, Joseph Solomon Jr., Karen Alzate, and Raymond Hull. On July 16, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the measure in a vote of 69-1 with five not voting. On the same day, the state Senate concurred on HR 8077.[1]
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How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Rhode Island
Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Rhode Island.
| How to cast a vote in Rhode Island | ||||||
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Poll timesPolls in Rhode Island open at 7 a.m. Eastern Time except in New Shoreham, where they open at 9 a.m. All polls statewide close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[20] Registration
To register to vote in Rhode Island, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Rhode Island, and at least 16 years old. To voter, one must be at least 18 years old by Election Day.[21] Applicants can register online, by mailing in a voter registration form, or in person at the local board of canvassers or other state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Human Services, or the Department of Mental Health.[21] Automatic registration
Rhode Island enacted automatic voter registration in 2017.[22] Online registration
Rhode Island has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. Same-day registration
Residency requirementsTo register to vote in Rhode Island, you must be a resident of the state. Verification of citizenshipRhode Island does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury. All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[23] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters. Verifying your registrationThe Rhode Island Department of State allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website. Voter ID requirementsRhode Island requires voters to present photo identification (ID) while voting. Accepted forms of ID include a Rhode Island driver's license, Rhode Island voter ID card, and U.S. passport. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below. The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Rhode Island Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
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See also
External links
Support |
OppositionSubmit links to editor@ballotpedia.org. |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rhode Island State Legislature, "Senate Resolution 2902," accessed June 19, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rhode Island Legislature, "Full Text of Senate Resolution 2902," accessed June 19, 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 City of Providence, "Mayor Elorza Announces Removal of “Plantations” from City Documents and Oath Ceremonies," June 19, 2020
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Office of the Rhode Island Governor, "Executive Order 20-48," June 22, 2020
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rhode Island General Assembly, "2009 H 5291," accessed July 27, 2020
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Yes on 1, "Home, " accessed October 13, 2020
- ↑ YouTube, "Yes on 1," accessed October 27, 2020
- ↑ Providence Journal, "The state is changing. Will its name follow? The details of a 20-year debate over ‘and Providence Plantations’," July 31, 2020
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Rhode Island Board of Elections, "Campaign Finance Portal," accessed July 27, 2020
- ↑ The Rhode Show, "The Buzz: Should RI change it's name?" June 30, 2009
- ↑ Eyes of Glory, August 22, 2010
- ↑ Inform.com, "Rhode Island debates changing state name," accessed October 14, 2010
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Rhode Island Slavery Legacy Prompting Name Change," June 25, 2009
- ↑ Washington Post, "The death of George Floyd: What video and other records show about his final minutes," May 30, 2020
- ↑ The New York Times, "8 Minutes and 46 Seconds: How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody," May 31, 2020
- ↑ USA Today, "Medical examiner and family-commissioned autopsy agree: George Floyd's death was a homicide," June 1, 2020
- ↑ Mississippi State Legislature, "House Bill 1796," accessed June 29, 2020
- ↑ State Symbols USA, "Origin of 'North Dakota,'" accessed August 3, 2020
- ↑ Rhode Island Department of State, "Election Day Voting Hours," accessed September 24, 2024
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Rhode Island Department of State, "Register to Vote," accessed April 18, 2023
- ↑ Providence Journal, “Raimondo signs automatic voter registration bill into law,” August 1, 2017
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
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