Democratic Party primaries in Rhode Island, 2018
Primary elections—in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should run on their party's ticket in the general election—can reflect internal conflict over the direction of a party.
Heading into the 2018 election, the Democratic Party sought to increase its power at the state and federal levels under the Trump administration. Its membership, however, disagreed on several major policy areas, including healthcare, free trade, education funding, a federal job guarantee, and a proposal to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[1][2]
Candidates endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee won 31 of 33 primaries in 2018.[3] Democratic Socialists of America member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D) primary victory over incumbent Joseph Crowley (D) in New York's 14th Congressional District was a notable victory for progressive activists.[4][5][6]
Democrats also won a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama for the first time in 30 years and flipped longtime Republican seats in the Wisconsin state Senate and Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District. A record number of Republican congressional retirements also led to large Democratic fields for typically non-competitive seats.[7]
This page focuses on the Democratic primaries that took place in Rhode Island on September 12, 2018. In addition, the page provides context for understanding the state party apparatus.
Battleground primaries
Battleground elections are those that Ballotpedia expected would either be more competitive than other races or attract significant national attention.
- Rhode Island gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 12 Democratic primary)
- Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 12 Democratic primary)
- Rhode Island state legislative Democratic primaries, 2018
Federal elections
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) won his re-election bid in 2012 by 30 points after running unopposed in the Democratic primary that year. As of March 2018, his campaign raised over $4.98 million in total receipts and had more than $3.1 million cash on hand.[8] To see a full list of candidates in the Democratic primary, click "Show more" below.
U.S. House
The 2018 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island took place on November 6, 2018. Voters elected two candidates to serve in the U.S. House, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. To see a full list of candidates in the Democratic primaries, click "Show more" below.
State elections
Rhode Island Party Control: 1992-2025
Sixteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | I | I | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Gubernatorial election
Democratic primary candidates
- Gina Raimondo (Incumbent) ✔
- Matt Brown
- Spencer Dickinson
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Lieutenant gubernatorial election
Democratic primary candidates
- Daniel McKee (Incumbent) ✔
- J. Aaron Regunberg
Did not make the ballot:
Attorney general election
Democratic primary candidates
Secretary of state election
Democratic primary candidates
- Nellie Gorbea (Incumbent) ✔
State legislative elections
Ballotpedia identified battleground races in the 2018 Rhode Island state legislative Democratic primary elections. These primaries had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could have led to changes in the membership of the Republican caucus or had an impact on general election races.
To determine the Rhode Island state legislative Democratic primary battleground races in 2018, Ballotpedia examined races that fit one or more of the three factors listed below:
- Identified by the media as a notable primary election.
- One or more of the candidates received a notable endorsement.
- The primary was known to be competitive based on past results or because it was a rematch of a primary that was competitive in the past.
State Senate battlegrounds
Senate District 30
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
What made this a race to watch?
Senate District 35
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
What made this a race to watch?
Kevin Olasanoye, the state party executive director, said Acciardo was endorsed because he previously served in the state Senate and the party believed he was better positioned to win the general election.[11] The state party later withdrew its endorsement of Acciardo, citing his criminal record.[12]
State House battlegrounds
House District 3
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
What made this a race to watch?
The state Democratic later withdrew its endorsement of Earnheart. In response, he said, “With a strong focus on improving the economy and the business climate of our state, I feel strongly that I am the most qualified candidate to represent the people of District 3 in Providence. However, I do not wish to be a distraction.” Walsh said, "The party does not earn any brownie points from me. The only reason that I believe they rescinded the endorsement is probably because of the amount of national outrage that followed it. This is something that the party does pretty regularly.”[14]
House District 5
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
What made this a race to watch?
The local Democratic committee’s leaders endorsed Holly Coolman, an abortion opponent, over incumbent Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, a supporter of legalized abortion. After state Rep. Aaron Regunberg criticized Cooley's endorsement over her position on abortion, she said she was "committed to core Democratic principles, including protecting workers' rights, protecting immigrants' rights, common sense gun control, environmental sustainability and access to health care for all."[9]
House District 13
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
What made this a race to watch?
The local Democratic committee’s leaders endorsed former state Rep. John Carnevale over incumbent Ramon Perez and challenger Mario Mendez. Carnevale was previously indicted for sexual assault and making false statements. He denied the false statements charge. The sexual assault charges were dropped after the accuser died.[9] Carnevale was removed from the ballot after he pleaded guilty to perjury on August 8, 2018.[15]
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- John Carnevale (D)
State party overview
- See also: Democratic Party of Rhode Island
State political party revenue
State political parties typically deposit revenue in separate state and federal accounts in order to comply with state and federal campaign finance laws. The following table displays the Democratic Party of Rhode Island's revenue over a six-year period from 2011 to 2016. Revenue totals are broken down by account type and year. The data was compiled through publicly available state and federal campaign finance reports.
| Democratic Party of Rhode Island revenue, 2011 to 2016[16][17] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Federal account | State account(s) | Total |
| 2011 | $134,395.41 | $73,746.22 | $208,141.63 |
| 2012 | $547,332.67 | $122,023.13 | $669,355.80 |
| 2013 | $143,699.37 | $53,049.50 | $196,748.87 |
| 2014 | $946,102.50 | $964,355.16 | $1,910,457.66 |
| 2015 | $194,034.86 | $92,354.43 | $286,389.29 |
| 2016 | $3,130,824.87 | $39,175.21 | $3,170,000.08 |
Rhode Island compared to other states
The Democratic Party and the Republican Party maintain state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and select U.S. territories. The following maps display total state political party revenue per capita for the Democratic and Republican state party affiliates from 2011 to 2016. The blue map displays Democratic state parties and the red map displays Republican state parties. Click on a state below to view the state party's revenue per capita totals:
Total Democratic and Republican state political party revenue per capita in the United States, 2011-2016
Primary election scheduling
Rhode Island was the only state to hold a primary election on September 12, 2018.
Voter information
How the primary works
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election.
Rhode Island utilizes a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters may vote in a party's primary without affiliating with that party. Voters that are affiliated with a party at the time of the primary election may only vote in that party's primary.[18][19][20]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Poll times
Polls in Rhode Island open at 7 a.m. Eastern Time except in New Shoreham, where they open at 9 a.m. All polls statewide close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[21]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To register to vote in Rhode Island, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Rhode Island, and at least 16 years old. To voter, one must be at least 18 years old by Election Day.[22] Applicants can register online, by mailing in a voter registration form, or in person at the local board of canvassers or other state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Human Services, or the Department of Mental Health.[22]
Automatic registration
- See also: Automatic voter registration
Rhode Island enacted automatic voter registration in 2017.[23]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Rhode Island has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
- See also: Same-day voter registration
| “ | Rhode Island allows for same day voter registration for the Presidential Election only. If you miss the voter registration deadline, you can register to vote on Election Day, but you will only be able to vote for President and Vice President. You will not be able to vote in any state, local, or other federal races. You can only register and vote on Election Day at the location designated by your local board of canvassers.[22][24] | ” |
Residency requirements
To register to vote in Rhode Island, you must be a resident of the state.
Verification of citizenship
Rhode Island does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[25] As of January 2025, six states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The Rhode Island Department of State allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.
Voter ID requirements
Rhode Island requires voters to present photo identification (ID) while voting. Accepted forms of ID include a Rhode Island driver's license, Rhode Island voter ID card, and U.S. passport. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.
The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Rhode Island Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
| “ |
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” |
- *The Rhode Island Secretary of State's office is issuing free voter photo ID cards to individuals who do not possess any of the valid Photo IDs listed above. For additional information, visit Rhode Island's online Voter Information Center, call 401-222-2340, or email elections@sos.ri.gov.
Early voting
Rhode Island permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.
Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.
As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.
Absentee voting
All Rhode Island voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail.[26]
Absentee ballot applications must be received by your local board of canvassers by 4 p.m. 21 days prior to the election. Completed absentee ballots must then be received by your local board of canvassers by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Should circumstances arise within 20 days of an election that will prevent a voter from making it to the polls on Election Day, he or she may qualify for an emergency mail ballot. More information regarding the emergency mail ballot process can be found here.[26][27][28]
See also
| Federal primaries in Rhode Island | State primaries in Rhode Island | Rhode Island state party apparatus | Rhode Island voter information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Footnotes
- ↑ CNN, "Why a 'federal jobs guarantee' is gaining steam with Democrats," April 26, 2018
- ↑ The Atlantic, "What ‘Abolish ICE’ Actually Means," July 11, 2018
- ↑ CNBC, "Despite Ocasio-Cortez upset, Democratic primaries have not gone as far left as some argue," June 28, 2018
- ↑ New York Times, "There Is a Revolution on the Left. Democrats Are Bracing." July 21, 2018
- ↑ New York Times, "Democrats Are Moving Left. Don’t Panic," July 23, 2018
- ↑ Time, "How Democrats in Congress Responded to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Surprise Win," June 28, 2018
- ↑ CNN, "9 Democratic primaries to watch in 2018," October 26, 2017
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Candidates for Senate," accessed May 24, 2018
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 WPRI, "Progressive RI Dems assail old guard over Assembly endorsements," July 3, 2018
- ↑ Rhode Island Democratic Party, "RI Democratic Party Women's Caucus," accessed July 12, 2018
- ↑ Rhode Island Public Radio, "Democratic Legislative Endorsements Upset RI Progressives," July 2, 2018
- ↑ Rhode Island Public Radio, "After Backlash, RI Democratic Party Withdraws Two Controversial Endorsements," July 5, 2018
- ↑ Slate, "Why Did the Rhode Island Democratic Party Endorse an Alt-Right Supporter Over a Progressive Incumbent?" July 2, 2018
- ↑ PJ Media, "Rhode Island Progressive Democrats Threaten to Topple Party Leadership," July 14, 2018
- ↑ Johnston Sunrise, "Former State Representative John Carnevale pleads guilty to perjury," August 9, 2018
- ↑ State of Rhode Island Board of Elections, "Campaign Finance Electronic Reporting & Tracking System (ERTS)," accessed May 2016 (Search terms RI Republican State Committee and RI Democratic State Committee)
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Candidate and Committee Viewer," accessed May 2016 (Search terms Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee and Rhode Island Democratic State Committee)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 22, 2024
- ↑ Bill Track 50, "RI H7662," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 17–9.1-23 ," accessed July 22, 2024
- ↑ Rhode Island Department of State, "Election Day Voting Hours," accessed September 24, 2024
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Rhode Island Department of State, "Register to Vote," accessed April 18, 2023
- ↑ Providence Journal, “Raimondo signs automatic voter registration bill into law,” August 1, 2017
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Rhode Island Department of State, "Vote from Home with a Mail Ballot," accessed April 18, 2023
- ↑ Rhode Island Department of State, "Apply for a Mail Ballot," accessed April 18, 2023
- ↑ Rhode Island Department of State, "Vote by Emergency Mail Ballot," accessed April 18, 2023
