Editor’s note: these are the candidate’s responses to questions provided by RIPR. The views expressed are the candidate’s alone, edited only in cases of inappropriate or libelous language. No changes have been made to correct errors of fact, spelling or grammar.
How will you ensure a fair electoral process in your term?
In this era of unprecedented external threats to our elections infrastructure, the RI Department of State Elections Division has been recognized as a national leader in improving access to the ballot box and protecting the integrity of our elections. We have accomplished this through a mix of innovative policy and strategic investments in infrastructure. Moving forward, we will focus on upgrading the state’s Central Voter Registration System and IT infrastructure to better respond to cybersecurity challenges. We will build upon our collaboration with the Board of Elections and local canvassing authorities to continue to safeguard the integrity of elections and ensure that all eligible Rhode Islanders have full and convenient access to the ballot box. Additionally, we aim to increase the transparency of local and statewide party committee structures through real-time online disclosure.
What are your top three goals for your term if elected?
Apart from the continued strategic investments in our elections infrastructure via the initiatives described above, three more goals for the next term fall under the following categories: business services, government transparency, and RI civic pride.
● In terms of business services, the Department of State will continue to expand our set of online tools to make it easier for businesses to navigate state government. We will do this, in part, by expanding the data-sharing capabilities of our Corporations Database and rules and regulations portal.
● To increase government transparency, we are building on the success of our comprehensive lobbying reform to ensure accountability from our elected officials, while also expanding civic education opportunities at all levels so that all Rhode Islanders have the tools to engage with government.
● Finally, in regards to civic pride, we are working to continue to expand the public’s engagement with the State Archives and State Library collections, as well as pursuing partnerships with other historical organizations throughout the state.
Do you support continuing photo ID requirements for voters?
Rhode Island State law requires that voters present a photo ID at the polls. My office has been reviewing the real impact of the photo ID law and focusing our efforts on minimizing the barriers that the law might present to some populations. For example, I supported the update of Board of Elections regulations to include tribal IDs into the list of allowed photo IDs at the polls. Furthermore, we are ensuring that there is widespread availability of free state-issued voting IDs through active and consistent community outreach. Finally, my office is actively communicating to the public that, by state law, eligible voters who cannot produce a valid photo ID at the polls can still vote using provisional ballots which are then vetted by the Board of Elections.
What policies do you plan on continuing from your first term?
If elected to a second term, I will continue our efforts to make government work for all Rhode Islanders and ensure that the State Department is a modern, accessible and relevant public resource. This includes a continued focus on cybersecurity to protect our elections, continuing to expand our business services so that they are responsive to the needs of a 21st century business environment, and growing our online transparency, archival and educational tools.
Are there any policies you will discontinue?
There is a lot of work left to be done in terms of modernizing government processes and taking advantage of new technology. In my next term, I plan to replace such outdated processes with more efficient and effective digital technologies that will make government run more smoothly. I also want to work with the legislature to update state laws related to business start-ups so that they reflect and adapt to present day challenges and opportunities.
How do you plan to make access to public documents a more efficient process for Rhode Islanders?
Throughout my first term, we made significant progress in simplifying access to the State’s rules and regulations, streamlined forms for small businesses, expanded the capabilities of our online business assistant, implemented a much friendlier and robust lobby tracker application and grew our online collection of Rhode Island’s historical archives. As a result, the State Department has become a relevant, easy-to-use resource for all Rhode Islanders as opposed to a statutory filing cabinet for public documents. Moving forward, we will continue to innovate and build upon this success.
