Rhode Island 2024 ballot measures

2024 Rhode Island Ballot Measures
2026 » « 2022

In 2024, five statewide ballot measure were on the ballot in Rhode Island for the election on November 5.

On the ballot

Type	Title	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
CCQ	Question 1	Call for a state constitutional convention to be held		173,459 (38%)	287,906 (62%)
BI	Question 2	Issue $160.5 million in bonds for improvements to higher education facilities	a	281,672 (60%)	189,173 (40%)
BI	Question 3	Issue $120 million in bonds to increase the availability of housing in the state	a	308,949 (66%)	160,536 (34%)
BI	Question 4	Issue $53 million in bonds for environmental-related infrastructure, local recreation projects, and for preservation of land	a	315,973 (67%)	152,478 (33%)
BI	Question 5	Issue $10 million in bonds for funding for 1:1 matching grants to continue the Cultural Arts and Economy Grant program administered by the Rhode Island state council on the arts, and for improvements and renovations to the Tomaquag Museum, the Newport Contemporary Ballet, and the Trinity Repertory Company	a	263,551 (56%)	203,769 (44%)

Getting measures on the ballot

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Rhode Island

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

In Rhode Island, a total of 166 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2022. One hundred thirty-one ballot measures were approved, and 35 ballot measures were defeated.

Rhode Island statewide ballot measures, 1985-2021
Total number	Annual average	Annual minimum	Annual maximum	Approved		Defeated
				#	%	#	%
166	3.19	0	14	131	78.92	35	21.08

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

See also: Presidential voting trends in Rhode Island

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.

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...

External links

• Rhode Island Board of Elections

See also

• 2024 ballot measures
• List of Rhode Island ballot measures
• Laws governing ballot measures in Rhode Island
• Campaign finance requirements for Rhode Island ballot measures