PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The 2024 U.S. General Election is right around the corner, giving you the chance to vote for the people and issues that matter to you. In addition to voting for your presidential candidate of choice, Rhode Island voters will decide on five statewide ballot measures on Tuesday, Nov. 5. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the state, except in New Shoreham, where polls will open at 9 a.m. Want to vote sooner than Nov. 5? Early voting will run from Wednesday, Oct. 16, through 4 p.m. on Nov. 4, at designated polling locations. Prefer to vote by mail?To receive a mail-in ballot, make sure your applications are submitted online or returned by Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. Mail your ballot at least seven days before Election Day to ensure it is received on time. For your vote to count, ballots must reach the State Board of Elections or be dropped in an official 24-hour elections drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Sign up online to receive updates and track the status of your mail-in ballot. VOTER GUIDE: Find your polling place and sample ballot Below is everything you need to help you make an informed decision on whether to vote "Approve" or "Reject" for each Rhode Island ballot question in this year's general election. Skip ahead: Question 2 (Higher education bond) | Question 3 (Housing bonds) | Question 4 (Green economy bonds) | Question 5 (Cultural Arts and Economy Grants) Rhode Island State Referenda Measures Question 1: Constitutional Convention "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution?" Every 10 years, Rhode Islanders are asked whether the state should hold a constitutional convention, where elected delegates propose amendments to the state constitution. This November, voters will once again face this question on their ballots. Supporters of the measure, like Timothy Duffy, the executive director of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, argue that a constitutional convention is long overdue. They say that adding an amendment could address important issues in the state, such as the right to education. Those who oppose Question 1 warn that holding a convention could endanger civil liberties, particularly the rights of minorities. They say Rhode Island already has established procedures for constitutional amendments, and that the funds for a convention could be better allocated elsewhere. The last time voters approved a constitutional convention was in 1986, with delegates elected in a special election the previous year. If approved, the constitutional convention could be scheduled for next year or as late as 2026. A vote to 'Approve' means you support calling a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution. A vote to 'Reject' means you oppose calling a Constitutional Convention in Rhode Island. ‘Reject Question 1’: RIers launch campaign against constitutional convention ballot question Rhode Island State Bond Referenda Measures Questions 2-5 ask voters to approve the state borrowing money through bonds for capital investments. The estimated costs assume the bonds will be repaid in increments over 20 years. If all proposed Rhode Island referenda are approved, the total cost is estimated at $551,271,500, based on a 20-year loan term with a 5% interest rate. Helpful Definitions Bond: A form of borrowing, similar to a mortgage or loan. The state borrows money from lenders with a promise to repay over time with interest. The total cost includes the principal, interest paid over the bond’s term, and any fees or expenses related to issuing the bond. Capital Investments: Funds used for assets expected to last more than a year, such as buildings, land, roads, or IT systems. Useful Life: The estimated period during which an asset remains functional and generates value for its intended purpose. Question 2: Higher Education Facilities — $160,500,000 Question 2 proposes allocating $160.5 million to improve higher education facilities with $87.5 million designated for the University of Rhode Island (URI) Biomedical Sciences Building and $73 million for the Rhode Island College (RIC) Cybersecurity Building. URI Biomedical Sciences Building: The $87.5 million would fund the design and construction of a new building at URI’s Kingston Campus, dedicated to education, research, and workforce development in the life sciences. Project timeline: Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Useful life: URI estimates the building’s useful life at around 50 years. RIC Cybersecurity Building: The $73 million would finance renovations to Whipple Hall, a facility built in 1958, for RIC's Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies. This project aims to enhance student education and create a statewide hub for cybersecurity training. Project timeline: Renovations are anticipated to begin in 2025 and be completed by 2028. Useful life: RIC estimates Whipple Hall's useful life after renovations at around 50 years. A vote to 'Approve' means you support the state issuing $160,500,000 in bonds for these higher education facility improvements. A vote to 'Reject' means you are against the state issuing $160,500,000 in bonds for these higher education facility improvements. Question 3: Housing and Community Opportunity — $120,000,000 Question 3 proposes the allocation of $120 million to increase housing availability, support community revitalization, and promote homeownership. This funding would be used for new construction, renovations, and maintaining affordable housing. It would also help return vacant properties to productive use as community facilities, commercial spaces, or additional housing. Additionally, planning funds would support local housing initiatives. $80 million: Affordable housing $20 million: Homeownership $10 million: Acquisition and revitalization $5 million: Site acquisition $4 million: Housing-related infrastructure $1 million: Municipal planning Project timeline: Housing production and redevelopment projects are expected to begin by 2026 and be completed between 2027 and 2030.Useful life: The useful life of the redeveloped and newly constructed housing is estimated at a minimum of 30 years. A vote to 'Approve' means you support the state issuing $120,000,000 to increase housing availability and promote community opportunity. A vote to 'Reject' means you means you are against the state issuing $120,000,000 to increase housing availability and promote community opportunity. Question 4: Green Economy Bonds — $53,000,000 Question 4 asks for $53 million in bonds to invest in environmental improvements and public recreational facilities. $15 million: Port of Davisville infrastructure at Quonset $10 million: Municipal resiliency $5 million: Brownfields remediation and economic development $5 million: Local recreation projects $5 million: Agricultural land preservation commission $5 million: Forests and habitat management $3 million: Newport Cliff Walk $3 million: Open space program $2 million: Climate resiliency Project timeline: Most projects will be completed within five years of their start.Useful life: The useful life varies depending on the project, but generally ranges from 25 to 50 years. Open space or conserved farmland is permanent. A vote to 'Approve' means you support the state issuing $53,000,000 for environmental and recreational purposes. A vote to 'Reject' means you are against the state issuing $53,000,000 for environmental and recreational purposes. RI leaders urge support for $53M ‘green bond’ after Mass. offshore blade failure Question 5: Cultural Arts and The Economy Grant Program — $10,000,000 Question 5 seeks approval for $10 million in 1:1 matching grants to continue the Cultural Arts and Economy Grant Program, administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA). The funds would be used to improve arts and cultural facilities in public and nonprofit artistic centers, performance spaces, and museums across the state. $2 million: For a 1:1 matching grant to support the Tomaquag Museum for Indigenous cultural education and preservation on the URI Kingston Campus, including space for programs and administration. $2 million: For a 1:1 matching grant to support Newport's Center for Arts, Dance & Education. $2 million: For a 1:1 matching grant to expand and upgrade the Lederer Theater Center. $4 million: For 1:1 matching grants allocated by RISCA to nonprofit cultural organizations that lease or own space for programs. RISCA will consider financial need, available funds, the size of the space to be improved, location, and audience demographics. Project timeline: Bonds will be issued to nonprofit organizations starting in 2025, with grants expected to be awarded over a period of three to five years.Useful life: RISCA anticipates the buildings will remain in service for up to 20 years, though the timeline may vary for each project. A vote to 'Approve' means you support the state issuing $10,000,000 to improve arts and cultural facilities. A vote to 'Reject' means you are against the state issuing $10,000,000 to improve arts and cultural facilities. Refer to the 2024 Rhode Island Voter Information Guide for more information on each proposed ballot question. Frequently Asked Questions: Voting in Rhode Island 12 News is Your Local Election Headquarters. Stay with us for in-depth coverage of all the key local races and storylines through Election Day. Your Local Election HQ☆ Latest Headlines »☆ Race Results »☆ Voter Guide »☆ Where They Stand » Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. 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