Letter: Vote in the June 2 presidential primary

To the editor:

Please vote in the June 2 Rhode Island presidential primary election despite COVID-19. If you have requested a mail-in ballot, it should be arriving soon. Be sure to mail it back so it is received by the State Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on June 2.  

Note: A Democratic presidential candidate must get more than 15 percent of the vote to be able to send delegates to the national convention, which can help shape the party platform. Your vote matters.

If you missed the May 19 deadline to request a mail-in ballot, you can vote early (between May 20 and June 1) with an “emergency” ballot available at your town/city board of canvasser’s office. No real emergency is required. You only need to say that you may not be able to vote on June 2. Call ahead to make arrangements.  

If you miss the June 1 "emergency" voting deadline, you can still vote in person on June 2 at a polling station. (Note: there are fewer because of COVID-19.)

Questions? Call your canvassing office: Portsmouth, 401/683-3157; Middletown, 401/849-5540; and Newport, 401/845-5386. For other cities/towns, check here: https://elections.ri.gov/canvassers.

Linda Ujifusa

155 Adams Drive

Portsmouth