Voting In Cranston: Polls Open

CRANSTON, RI — Tuesday is Election Day in Rhode Island and across the country. Voters who did not cast their ballots early in person or by mail can cast their ballot at their polling place during the day. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to a surge in mail-in ballots, the results of the presidential and local elections are not expected on Tuesday, and could take days or weeks to determine.

The polls open are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Rhode Island.

The deadline to register to vote and request a mail ballot have passed in Rhode Island. To check your voting status, visit the Secretary of State's elections website. There, voters can also find their polling place, or check the status of their mail ballot.

Voters who requested a mail ballots but have not yet returned it must do so by 8 p.m. on Tuesday to have it counted. Mail ballots can be dropped into a secure election drop box, located across the state.

Find a list of dropboxes here.

When voting at the polls on Tuesday, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind for a safe voting experience.

• Bring a valid photo ID. Voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID will be given a provisional ballot.
• Wear a fabric face covering. The Rhode Island Department of Health is asking Rhode Islanders to make mask wearing "the norm" to cut down on the transmission of coronavirus in the state.
• Don't touch your face while at the polling location.
• Maintain a social distance of at least six feet from anyone who is not from your household.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after voting.
• Bring a pen, such as a blue or black ink sharpie or Paper Mate Flair, if you do not want to borrow one.

There are 10 local ballot questions in Cranston, listed below.

• Question two: $147 million bond for school facilities, as part of the statewide school bill passed by the General Assembly.
• Question three: $2 million bond to repair and replace the city's fire and public safety equipment.
• Question four: $1 million bond for construction and improvements to city facilities.
• Question five: $2 million bond for repairs and improvements to city playgrounds.
• Question six: $10 million bond for improvements to streets, sidewalks and other road-related repairs.
• Question seven: $5 million for renewable energy and energy conservation projects.
• Question eight: Amendment to the city charter to prohibit gerrymandering of districts and "protect the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods in the redistricting process."
• Question nine: Amendment to the city charter to allow the mayor to use a line item veto in the annual budget.
• Question 10: Amendment to the city charter that would require the city to maintain a "rainy day fund" of at least five percent of the annual operating budget, to be used in emergencies.
• Question 11: Amendment to the city charter that would cap annual increases to property taxes to no more than three percent.