Rhode Island 2014 ballot measures

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Seven statewide ballot measures were certified for the November 4, 2014, ballot in the state of Rhode Island. One measure was an automatic ballot referral related to constitutional conventions. Two measures were referred by the general assembly, one legislatively referred constitutional amendment and one legislatively referred state statute. Four were legislatively referred bond questions.

Rhode Island’s 2014 legislative session began on January 7, 2014, and concluded on June 23, 2014. In Rhode Island, a simple majority vote was required in both chambers of the legislature in order to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Two legislatively referred constitutional amendments were approved for the ballot. Both addressed gambling.

As of 2014, Rhode Island did not have an initiative and referendum process. However, a measure was introduced into the legislature which, upon legislative certification, would have given voters the opportunity to vote for or against establishing the process.

Historical facts

• Between 1996 and 2013, an average of six measures appeared on even-numbered year ballots in Rhode Island. Therefore, 2014 was an above-average year, based on the number of certified measures.
• From 1996 to 2014, the number of measures on statewide, even-year ballots ranged from three to 14.
• Since 1996, 52 of 65, or 80 percent, of Rhode Island ballot measures were approved by voters.
• Conversely, 13 of 65, or 20 percent, of measures were defeated.

On the ballot

November 4:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRSS	Question 1	Gambling	Authorizes casino gaming at the Newport Grand facility in Newport	d
LRCA	Question 2	Gambling	Prohibits changes in location of gambling without the approval of electors	a
ABR	Question 3	Con Cons	Dictates whether or not Rhode Island holds a constitutional convention	d
BI	Question 4	Bonds	Permits the issuance of a bond of $125 million to construct a new College of Engineering building	a
BI	Question 5	Bonds	Permits the issuance of a bond of $35 million to fund artistic, historic and cultural centers	a
BI	Question 6	Bonds	Permits the issuance of $35 million in bonds to fund enhancements and renovations to mass transit hub infrastructure	a
BI	Question 7	Bonds	Permits the issuance of $53 million in bonds for environmental and recreational purposes	a

Not on the ballot

See also: Proposed ballot measures that were not on a ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Initiative and Referendum Amendment	Direct democracy	Creates an initiative and referendum process
LRCA	Corporate Contributions Amendment	Elections	Defines corporations as artificial entities and prevents money spent to influence elections to be construed as speech
LRCA	Executive Office Vacancy Procedures Amendment	State Exec	Provides procedures for filling vacancies left by the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general or treasurer
LRCA	Healthcare Premiums for State Officials Amendment	Healthcare	Requires state officials to contribute 20% towards the premium for health care coverage paid for by the state
LRCA	Term Limits Amendment	Term limits	Implements three-term limit on state assembly members, lengthens terms from two to four years

See also

• 2014 ballot measures
• List of Rhode Island ballot measures
• Rhode Island Legislature
• List of ballot measures by state

External links

• State of Rhode Island Board of Elections