Rhode Island state legislative districts
List of state legislative districts |
There are 113 seats in the Rhode Island General Assembly. All 38 seats in the Rhode Island State Senate and all 75 seats in the Rhode Island House of Representatives are up for election every two years.
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
The Rhode Island State Senate is composed of 38 Senators, each of whom is elected to a two-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms that a Senator may serve.
As of the 2020 Census, Rhode Island state senators represented an average of 28,899 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 27,770 residents.
Qualifications
A candidate for the Rhode Island General Assembly must:[1]
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a registered voter
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a state resident for at least 30 days preceding the election
- Be a resident of the district the candidate is running to represent
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Rhode Island General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The secretary of state must call for an election to be held anywhere from 70 to 90 days after the vacancy occurred. No election can be held if the vacancy happens after the first Monday in February during an election year. The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[2]
See sources: Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 17-3-6
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
---|---|
Salary | Per diem |
$19,037/year | No per diem is paid. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Rhode Island State Senate.
House
The Rhode Island House of Representatives is composed of 75 Representatives, each of whom is elected to a two year term. The Rhode Island General Assembly does not have term limits.
As of the 2020 Census, Rhode Island state representatives represented an average of 14,642 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 14,070 residents.
Qualifications
A candidate for the Rhode Island General Assembly must:[4]
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a registered voter
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a state resident for at least 30 days preceding the election
- Be a resident of the district the candidate is running to represent
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Rhode Island General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The secretary of state must call for an election to be held anywhere from 70 to 90 days after the vacancy occurred. No election can be held if the vacancy happens after the first Monday in February during an election year. The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[5]
See sources: Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 17-3-6
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[6] | |
---|---|
Salary | Per diem |
$19,037/year | No per diem is paid. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
Redistricting
In Rhode Island, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Rhode Island General Assembly. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[7]
An 18-member advisory commission established in 2011 can recommend congressional and state legislative redistricting plans to the state legislature. The legislature may "adopt, modify, or ignore the commission's proposals." The composition of the commission is as follows:[7]
- The majority leader of the Rhode Island State Senate chooses four commissioners who are state legislators and three who are not, for a total of seven commissioners.
- The majority leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives chooses four commissioners who are state legislators and three who are not, for a total of seven commissioners.
- The minority leader of the Rhode Island State Senate chooses two commissioners who are state legislators.
- The minority leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives chooses two commissioners who are state legislators.
The Rhode Island Constitution requires that state legislative districts be compact.[7]
State statutes require that congressional and state legislative districts meet the following criteria:[7]
- Districts should be contiguous.
- Districts should "reflect natural, historical, geographical, and municipal and other political lines, 'as well as the right of all Rhode Islanders to fair representation and equal access to the political process.'"
- "The lines of state House, state Senate and congressional districts [should] coincide–or at least, if they do not overlap completely, they should avoid creating voting precincts with distinct ballot options where the precinct has fewer than 100 people."
Rhode Island enacted new legislative district boundaries on February 16, 2022, when Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed redistricting legislation approved by the General Assembly. The State House of Representatives passed the new maps by a vote of 57-6 and the State Senate approved them, 29-9, on February 15, 2022. In a press release issued after Gov. McKee signed the legislation, State Representative Robert Phillips (D), co-chair of the state's legislative Reapportionment Commission, said, "It was an honor and pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of individuals on this commission. I’m particularly proud of the fact that we obtained so much input from citizens around the state, holding our meetings in several cities and towns to make it more accessible to everyone. Reapportionment can be daunting and complex, but I’m glad we took everyone’s concerns into account and came up with a fair and equitable system of reapportionment.”[8][9][10][11]
The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson and Katherine Gregg wrote "Although some district boundaries changed a lot, the new maps did not put any incumbent General Assembly members in the same district, forcing them to run against each other. But the maps did draw some would-be challengers out of their current districts, potentially protecting incumbents from a tough reelection battle.[12] Edward Fitzpatrick of the Boston Globe wrote that "critics have said both Democratic and Republican incumbents were allowed to shape their districts during private meetings with the state’s long-time redistricting consultant."[13]
Senate elections
Rhode Island state senators serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Rhode Island holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was September 10, 2024. The filing deadline was June 26, 2024.
Prior to the 2024 elections, Democrats held a 31-5 majority in the Rhode Island State Senate, with two vacant seats. After the 2024 elections, Democrats held a 34-4 majority.
Rhode Island State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
Democratic Party | 31 | 34 | |
Republican Party | 5 | 4 | |
Vacancy | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 38 | 38 |
2022
Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 13, 2022. The filing deadline was July 15, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, Democrats maintained their majority of 33-5 in the Rhode Island State Senate.
Rhode Island State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
Democratic Party | 33 | 33 | |
Republican Party | 5 | 5 | |
Total | 38 | 38 |
2020
Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 8, 2020. The filing deadline was June 24, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Democrats maintained their majority of 33-5 in the Rhode Island State Senate.
Rhode Island State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
Democratic Party | 33 | 33 | |
Republican Party | 5 | 5 | |
Total | 38 | 38 |
2018
Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2018. A hybrid primary election took place on September 12, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018.[14] The candidate filing deadline was June 27, 2018.[15]
In the 2018 elections, Democrats maintained control of the Rhode Island State Senate.
Rhode Island State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
Democratic Party | 33 | 33 | |
Republican Party | 4 | 5 | |
Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 38 | 38 |
2016
Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 29, 2016. All 38 seats in the Rhode Island State Senate were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 32-5 majority with one Independent member. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 33-5 majority.
Rhode Island State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
Democratic Party | 32 | 33 | |
Republican Party | 5 | 5 | |
Independent | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 38 | 38 |
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2014Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 32-5 majority with one Independent member. No partisan change occurred in the election.
2012Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 11, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was June 27, 2012. A total of 38 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 29-8 majority with one Independent member. Democrats gained three seats in the election, giving them a 32-5 majority with one Independent member.
During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 80 Senate candidates was $1,693,685. The top 10 contributors were:[16]
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
2010Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 28, 2010. A total of 38 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 33-4 majority with one Independent member. Democrats lost four seats in the election, giving them a 29-8 majority with one Independent member.
During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 98 Senate candidates was $2,009,724. The top 10 contributors were:[17]
2008Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate consisted of a primary election date on September 9, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. A total of 38 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total contributions to Senate candidates amounted to $1,783,862. The top 10 contributors were:[18]
2006Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate consisted of a primary election date on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. A total of 38 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 70 Senate candidates was $1,987,554. The top 10 contributors were:[19]
2004Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate consisted of a primary election date on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. A total of 38 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 78 Senate candidates was $2,028,107. The top 10 contributors were:[20]
2002Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate consisted of a primary election date on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. A total of 38 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 71 Senate candidates was $782,693. The top 10 contributors were:[21]
2000Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate consisted of a primary election date on September 12, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. A total of 50 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 74 Senate candidates was $499,599. The top 10 contributors were:[22]
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House elections
Rhode Island state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Rhode Island holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was September 10, 2024. The filing deadline was June 26, 2024.
In the 2024 elections, the Democratic majority decreased from 65-9 to 64-10, with one seat held by an independent.
Rhode Island House of Representatives | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
Democratic Party | 65 | 64 | |
Republican Party | 9 | 10 | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | |
Total | 75 | 75 |
2022
Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 13, 2022. The filing deadline was July 15, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, Democrats maintained a 65-seat majority. Republicans lost one seat, and one seat was won by an independent.
Rhode Island House of Representatives | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
Democratic Party | 65 | 65 | |
Republican Party | 10 | 9 | |
Independent | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 75 | 75 |
2020
Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 8, 2020. The filing deadline was June 24, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, the Democratic majority decreased from 66-8 and one independent to 65-10.
Rhode Island House of Representatives | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
Democratic Party | 66 | 65 | |
Republican Party | 8 | 10 | |
Independent | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 75 | 75 |
2018
Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2018. A hybrid primary election took place on September 12, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018.[23] The candidate filing deadline was June 27, 2018.[24]
In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 64-11 to 66-9.
Rhode Island House of Representatives | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
Democratic Party | 64 | 66 | |
Republican Party | 11 | 9 | |
Total | 75 | 75 |
2016
Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and a general election would have taken place on November 8, 2016, if no candidate had won a majority of votes in the primary. The candidate filing deadline was June 29, 2016. All 75 seats in the Rhode Island House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 61-12 majority with one Independent member and one vacancy. Democrats gained three seats in the election, giving them a 64-10 majority with one Independent member.
Rhode Island House of Representatives | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
Democratic Party | 61 | 64 | |
Republican Party | 12 | 10 | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | |
Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 75 | 75 |
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2014Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 69-6 majority. Democrats lost six seats in the election, giving them a 63-11 majority with one Independent member.
2012Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 11, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was June 27, 2012. All 75 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 65-10 majority. Democrats gained four seats in the election, giving them a 69-6 majority.
During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 160 House candidates was $2,318,319. The top 10 contributors were:[25]
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
2010Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 28, 2010. All 75 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 69-6 majority. Democrats lost four seats in the election, giving them a 65-10 majority.
During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 186 House candidates was $2,455,054. The top 10 contributors were:[26]
2008Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on September 9, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 75 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total contributions to House candidates amounted to $2,494,379. The top 10 contributors were:[27]
2006Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All 75 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 130 House candidates was $2,552,006. The top 10 contributors were:[28]
2004Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 4, 2004. All 75 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 166 House candidates was $2,593,762. The top 10 contributors were:[29]
2002Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. All 75 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 142 House candidates was $954,182. The top 10 contributors were:[30]
2000Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on September 12, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 100 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 136 House candidates was $603,900. The top 10 contributors were:[31]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Rhode Island State Legislature
- Rhode Island State Senate
- Rhode Island House of Representatives
- List of Rhode Island state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Are You Eligible?" accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Rhode Island General Laws, "Title 17 Elections; Chapter 3 General Assembly Members; § 17-3-6. Vacancy in general assembly — Special elections," accessed February 3, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Are You Eligible?" accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Rhode Island General Laws, "Title 17 Elections; Chapter 3 General Assembly Members; § 17-3-6. Vacancy in general assembly — Special elections," accessed February 3, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 All About Redistricting, "Rhode Island," accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Bill to reapportion House, Senate, congressional districts signed into law," accessed February 18, 2022
- ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "2022 House Journals - February 15th," accessed February 18, 2022
- ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "House Floor Votes for 2/15/2022," accessed February 18, 2022
- ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Legislative Status Report - Senate Bill No. 2162 SUB A as amended," accessed February 18, 2022
- ↑ The Providence Journal, "Redistricting maps: General Assembly approves new Rhode Island political boundaries," February 15, 2022
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Assembly votes for final House, Senate, congressional maps," February 15, 2022
- ↑ Rhode Island Board of Elections, "Upcoming elections," accessed September 1, 2017
- ↑ Rhode Island Department of State, "Candidates," accessed September 1, 2017
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island State Senate 2012 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island State Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island State Senate 2008 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island State Senate 2006 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island State Senate 2004 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island State Senate 2002 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island State Senate 2000 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Rhode Island Board of Elections, "Upcoming elections," accessed September 1, 2017
- ↑ Rhode Island Department of State, "Candidates," accessed September 1, 2017
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island House of Representatives 2012 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island House of Representatives 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island House of Representatives 2008 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island House of Representatives 2006 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island House of Representatives 2004 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island House of Representatives 2002 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Rhode Island House of Representatives 2000 Campaign Contributions," accessed June 6, 2014