What you need to know to vote in the primaries in Newport County

Savana Dunning, Newport Daily News
·2 min read

The upcoming primary on Tuesday, Sept. 13 will choose which Democratic and Republican candidates will face their opposing party challengers in the General Election this November.

Here’s a quick guide for Newport County voters interested in casting ballots in the primary next Tuesday, September 13.

What will the primary decide?

Statewide, voters will narrow down the candidate pool for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and General Treasurer.

Sloane Barney, 2, helps mom Tina vote early using the official ballot box outside Middletown Town Hall in October 2020.
Sloane Barney, 2, helps mom Tina vote early using the official ballot box outside Middletown Town Hall in October 2020.

The sole primary race in Newport County will decide the Democratic candidate for State Senate District 11. After the current District 11 Senator, James Seveney, announced his retirement earlier this year, Portsmouth Town Councilor Linda Ujifusa and Portsmouth-based attorney Matthew Chapell began campaigning to fill the seat. Whichever candidate wins the primary will face Republican challenger Kenneth Mendonca and two Independent candidates Andrew Kelly and Mario Teixeira in November.

On the ballot: Linda Ujifusa, Matt Chappell vie for Senate District 11 Democratic nomination

Am I able to vote in the primary?

The deadline to register to vote in the primary was Aug. 14. Those wanting to vote by mail can apply for an Emergency Mail-In Ballot as late as 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12. The application, available via the Secretary of State website, must be submitted to the applicant’s local board of canvassers before the deadline.

Where do I go to vote?

Early voting began on Aug. 24 and ends at 4 p.m. on Sept. 12. Each municipality has one designated location for early voters. Those looking to vote on Sept. 13 will need to go to their assigned precinct, which can be located using the Secretary of State’s website.

Here’s a breakdown of early voting locations per town:

Newport: City Hall - 43 Broadway, ground floor, far left, directly in front of elevator, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Middletown: Town Hall - 350 East Main Rd, Side Entrance - Right Side, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Portsmouth: Town Hall, 2200 East Main Rd., Monday - Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. - to 6:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Election 2022: Rhode Island Primary Voter Guide: Everything you need know to about the candidates

Tiverton: Town Hall - 343 Highland Rd., Main Entrance, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Jamestown: Town Hall - 93 Narragansett Ave., Main Door, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Little Compton: Town Hall – 40 Commons, Main Door to Town Hall handicap accessible, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 p.m.

Additional Information

Although Newport faced issues connecting to the Secretary of State’s office during candidate filing season, Communications Officer Tom Shevlin told The Newport Daily News that those issues have been fixed. Shevlin said the city does not anticipate any interruptions when collecting ballots and sending results to the state.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport County 2022 Primary voter guide: Candidates, how to vote