Data Request for Local Ballot Initiatives/Referenda (Board of Elections)

Jimin Han filed this request with the Board of Elections of Rhode Island.
Multi Request Data Request for Local Ballot Initiatives/Referenda
Submitted March 5, 2024
Status
Rejected

Communications

From: Jimin Han

Subject: Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act Request: Data Request for Local Ballot Initiatives/Referenda (Board of Elections)

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To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

I am requesting data on local ballot initiatives/referenda that took place in the state since 1972. Specifically, I need the following information to be included in the data.

1. Text of the ballot initiative/referendum
2. Local government where the election took place.
3. County where the local government is located
4. Election date
5. Result of election (votes for, votes against, pass/fail)
6. Threshold to pass (50%, two-thirds, etc)

This website from California provides a good example of the type of data I am requesting:
https://data.ca.gov/dataset/election-data/resource/67e83a65-2b55-41ec-9420-b33b666d4711

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jimin Han

From: Board of Elections

Subject: RE: Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act Request: Data Request for Local Ballot Initiatives/Referenda (Board of Elections)

Email

March 7, 2024

Dear Jimin Han,

On March 6, 2024, you submitted a request for public records from the State of RI Board of Elections, pursuant to the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”).

You requested data on local ballot initiatives/referenda that took place in the state since 1972, which was to include the following information:

1. Text of the ballot initiative/referendum
2. Local government where the election took place.
3. County where the local government is located
4. Election date
5. Result of election (votes for, votes against, pass/fail)
6. Threshold to pass (50%, two-thirds, etc)
For Items #1, #2 and #3; the State of Rhode Island Board of Elections has no records responsive to your request. Please direct your request for those items to the Rhode Island Department of State Elections’ Division: https://www.sos.ri.gov/

For Items #4 and #5; the elections results may be obtained for each year from the State of Rhode Island Board of Elections website: https://elections.ri.gov/elections/previous-election-results

For Item #6; the threshold for any local ballot initiative/referenda to pass is always 50%.

If you believe you have been denied access to public records from the Rhode Island Board of Elections, you have a right to file a review petition with Miguel J. Nunez, the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Board of Elections, 2000 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI 02921.

If you are still not satisfied, you may file an appeal with the Attorney General or initiate proceedings in Superior Court.

Regards,

[cid:image001.png@01DA705E.86AA85D0]Richard E. Thornton, Director of Campaign Finance/APRA Coordinator
RI Board of Elections | Website<http://www.elections.ri.gov/> | Twitter: @RI_BOE<https://twitter.com/RI_BOE>
Email: richard.thornton@elections.ri.gov<mailto:richard.thornton@elections.ri.gov>
2000 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI 02921 | 401-222-1907

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