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Rhode Island 2021 ballot measures
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Seven statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in Rhode Island for the election on March 2, 2021. They were approved.
On the ballot
March 2:
| Type | Name | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BI | Question 1 | Bond issues | Issues $107.3 million in bonds for the University of Rhode Island Fine Arts Center, the Rhode Island College Clarke Science Building, and the Community College of Rhode Island | 
|
| BI | Question 2 | Bond issues | Issues $74 million in bonds for state beaches, parks, recreational facilities, and water projects |
|
| BI | Question 3 | Bond issues | Issues $65 million in bonds for building and renovating housing projects |
|
| BI | Question 4 | Bond issues | Issues $71.7 million in bonds for transportation infrastructure |
|
| BI | Question 5 | Bond issues | Issues $15 million in bonds for the Early Childhood Care and Education Capital Fund |
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| BI | Question 6 | Bond issues | Issues $7 million in bonds for the Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program and the State Preservation Grants Program |
|
| BI | Question 7 | Bond issues | Issues $60 million in bonds to fund improvements to industrial facilities infrastructure |
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Getting measures on the ballot
Rhode Island does not allow the initiative and referendum process. The Rhode Island State Legislature can refer constitutional amendments, statutes, and bond issues to the ballot for voter consideration.
Referring a constitutional amendment to the ballot requires a simple majority vote of each legislative chamber during one session. Referring a statute or bond issue also requires a simple majority vote of each legislative chamber during one session.
Historical facts
- See also: List of Rhode Island ballot measures
- A total of 76 measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1995 and 2020.
- From 1995 to 2020, an average of between six and seven measures appeared on the ballot during even-numbered years in Rhode Island.
- The number of measures appearing on statewide general election ballots between 1995 and 2020 ranged from one to 14.
- Between 1995 and 2020, 82.89% (63 of 76) of statewide ballots were approved by voters, and 17.11% (13 of 76) were defeated.
State profile
| Demographic data for Rhode Island | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 1,055,607 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 1,034 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 81.1% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 6.5% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 3.2% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.8% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 13.6% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 86.2% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 31.9% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $56,852 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 17.3% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Rhode Island. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
Rhode Island voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, one is located in Rhode Island, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total pivot counties.[1]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Rhode Island had one Boomerang Pivot County, 4.00 percent of all Boomerang Pivot Counties.
More Rhode Island coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Rhode Island
- United States congressional delegations from Rhode Island
- Public policy in Rhode Island
- Endorsers in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
See also
- 2021 ballot measures
- List of Rhode Island ballot measures
- Laws governing ballot measures in Rhode Island
- Campaign finance requirements for Rhode Island ballot measures
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- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
