To the editor:

I am writing in response to the article titled "'A rigged setup' — why some East Providence candidates refused to debate,” from Sept. 30.

As a voting resident of East Providence, I believe it’s my civic duty to vote in every election. I have been consistently frustrated over the years by the lack of information most of our local candidates put out ahead of elections.

For many races, one of the only ways voters are able to learn about the candidates’ points of view is through profiles written by this paper and forums hosted each cycle by the League of Women Voters of RI (LWVRI).

Usually the LWVRI has forums so voters can see all of the candidates and have a chance to hear each candidate’s point of view on important topics in our city.

This year was an exception. Mary Chace of the LWVRI, quoted in the Sept. 30 article, stated that many of the candidates didn’t respond to their invitation or downright refused to participate. This is not normal and it is not acceptable.

Other cities in the state have gotten to hear from their candidates. East Providence voters are going to have to go into these elections mostly uneducated, even those who try to get educated. Only Ward 4 voters will get to hear from their city council and school committee candidates. None of us will get to hear from the mayoral candidates at a neutral forum.

Noted in the article was an “explanation” from one of the candidates who declined. Their excuse was that they were ill-informed, didn’t bother to clarify the situation, and made the decision out of that mindset.

There is a wider issue around the country with people running for office (and some in office), having no real facts, but making decisions on conspiracies and conjecture. Unfortunately, it seems as though our local candidates are not immune to this. Personally, by declining to debate, it made it very easy for me to see who is worth voting for.

I appreciate the article addressing that several of the candidates would not engage in these forums. Refusing to engage in a public forum, or even failing to reply, is undemocratic. It calls into serious question their ability to respond to constituent concerns if they are elected. Some of our local candidates this year have even blocked large numbers of residents on their social media platforms, attempting to further hide their priorities and avoid potential questions or criticism.

We are in a particularly vulnerable time for U.S. democracy and freedom of the press. Our freedoms are being eroded. Our president is kicking press outlets out of the White House because he feels personally upset that they portray him in an unflattering light. Are we seeing the same sort of behavior in East Providence?

Any candidate who will not engage with a recognized press outlet or a non-partisan voting rights organization does not deserve our votes.

Ryan Kowal
East Providence