EDITORIAL

Election countdown begins

Posted

It’s now, officially, an election year. The campaign has been in full swing for several months, but the turning of the calendar to 2016 represents an important shift. As the days count down to Tuesday, Nov. 8, voters will become increasingly attentive and media coverage – impossible though it seems – will continue to grow. For candidates and their supporters, the stakes will only become higher as time passes.

The presidential contest, of course, will garner the most attention, and a four-week sprint has now begun ahead of the first results for Republican and Democratic nominations.

Iowa voters will take part in their state’s first-in-the-nation caucus on Monday, Feb. 1. Just more than a week later, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, the nation’s first primary election will be held in New Hampshire.

The Nevada caucus and South Carolina primary follow later in the month. The likely nominees of each party may be clear by the time March arrives – or, at least, it is likely the field will be significantly winnowed, particularly on the crowded GOP side.

For Rhode Islanders, the late date of the presidential primary – this year scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 – and the state’s relative paucity of delegates means there will be little of the way of influence as the major parties determine their respective contenders for commander-in-chief.

Ironically, it was likely that the 2014 election cycle – which featured a hotly contested race for governor, and saw local stops by luminaries such as former Republican nominee and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie – will have brought more presidential aspirants to the Ocean State than will 2016.

Of course, there will be a host of local races of interest in Rhode Island this year. Just this week, special elections are being held for the District 11 seat in the state Senate and the East Greenwich School Committee. Foster will hold a special Town Council election on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

There will be elections for a range of local and state offices in November, including mayoral races in Cranston and Warwick. Local and state primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Many view the political process with deep cynicism or apathy and choose not to participate. We can understand – if not condone – that urge. Too often, our elected leaders betray or fall short of the trust we place in them. Too frequently, it feels as though the system is rigged in favor of wealthy or politically connected interests. Too regularly, discourse that is civil and meaningful is drowned out by vitriolic sound bytes and tunnel-vision partisanship.

But we must remember that the act of voting constitutes the very cornerstones of our democracy. It is a right for which many have sacrificed deeply and shed blood. It is what gives our system vitality and legitimacy. And it is through participating in the process that we may truly work toward a better day.

We urge all our readers, and all Rhode Islanders, to inform themselves about the issues and candidates in the weeks and months ahead, and to make their voices heard.

To find important resources for candidates and voters, register to vote, or check on your current registration, visit the Secretary of State’s website, www.sos.ri.gov.

Comments

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  • Justanidiot

    Corrente for mayer.

    Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Report this

  • Scott58

    Corrente will get about 11 votes, and that's an optimistic number. We need to stop Gina Ramondo's tolls....

    http://www.stoptollsri.com/petition_tolls_ri

    Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    Mr. corrente will be our next mayer. He is way far ahead of all declared candidates.

    We need more tollhouse cookie roads.

    Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    I enjoyed reading "Election Countdown Begins" because it follows my campaign. I filed my papers with the Board of Elections in December of 2014 and as I write this, I have campaigned actively for over a year and when the elections are held this November, I will have actively campaigned every day for 23 months, longer than anyone else in history so the "Corrente For Mayor" campaign is actually past the midpoint and the "countdown" has begun. I have met face-to-face with over a thousand taxpayers and, so far, I have received 100% acceptance. Not one taxpayer disagreed with my platform! I have a great staff of tireless supporters and I'm confident that come November Warwick will have a new Mayor; one that will cut taxes and cut spending.

    Please read about me at www.correntemayorwarwick.com.

    Thank you Justanidiot, for your kind words and as for Scott58, I appreciate your support but you can only vote for me once.

    Happy New Year to all.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor - 2016

    Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Report this

  • Scott58

    Richie, This is RI and if you think I can only vote once you are not fit to be mayor.

    Happy New Year to Kim Jong Un!

    Thursday, January 7, 2016 Report this

  • patientman

    Does Mr. Corrente have the democratic endorsement or will they be endorsing the incumbent?

    Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Report this