By Janine L. Weisman | Editor-in-Chief
Good Monday morning!
As of Friday afternoon, almost 117,000 Rhode Island voters had cast ballots for Tuesday’s general election either in person or by mail, according to the Secretary of State’s RI Voter Turnout Tracker. That’s a nearly 15% turnout so far.
The overall turnout rate of eligible voters in Rhode Island in the 2022 midterm general election was 43.6%.
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High tide in Newport is at 1:45 p.m. Low tide is at 7:04 a.m. and 8:55 p.m. Sunrise is at 6:18 a.m. Sunset is at 4:39 p.m.
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The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Board of Directors meets at 1 p.m.
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Board of Directors meets at 5 p.m.
Bunny Ssengooba, a navigator with the Comprehensive Community Action Plan, attends community events like a Cambodian New Year celebration to share information about HealthSource RI and help people sign up for insurance coverage. (Courtesy photo)
By Nancy Lavin
Some 10,000 Rhode Islanders dropped out of the state health exchange last year, unable to afford the surging premiums after federal discounts expired. But Rhode Island officials have some good news for the 30,000 people whose health insurance premiums could be going down when they sign up or reenroll in the state health exchange for 2027. “It’s probably been one of the most challenging years,” said Bunny Ssengooba, a navigator with the Comprehensive Community Action Plan. “We had a lot of people who just kind of said, ‘we hope we don’t get sick.’”
By Rhode Island Current staff
Brush up on the candidates, the bond issues and where to cast your vote with our voter guide.
NBC 10 moderator Gene Valicenti speaks with Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, center, and Republican challenger John Loughlin after Wednesday’s lieutenant governor debate at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Oct. 7, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
With just days to go before Tuesday’s general election, Democratic Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos’ campaign has filed a complaint with state elections officials against her Republican opponent John Loughlin alleging Loughlin’s campaign manager improperly reported and benefited from taxpayer-funded campaign money.
The United Way of Rhode Island has increased the income limits to qualify for winter heating assistance this year. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)
By Christopher Shea
More Rhode Islanders will qualify for winter heating assistance this year under higher income limits that took effect Sunday for the United Way of Rhode Island's Good Neighbor Energy Fund. A family of four can now earn up to $115,500 annually and still qualify, compared with $96,450 last year.
Voters mark their ballots during the first day of early voting in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Oct. 22, 2026. Experts and voting rights advocates are bracing for the potential of federal influence over the results of next week’s midterm elections. (Photo by Jack Dura/North Dakota Monitor)
By Kevin Hardy | Stateline
As concerns rise about the potential for federal influence over the results of Tuesday’s midterm elections, many voting experts and advocates remain confident that the nation’s highly localized systems of administering and counting votes will persevere.
The Rhode Island General Assembly should consider examining whether restrictions on political campaign contributions from lobbyists are adequate under the state’s campaign finance laws. (Getty illustration)
COMMENTARY
By Robert T.F. Downes
Rhode Island allows individuals, including registered lobbyists, to contribute up to $2,000 annually to a candidate. But state lawmakers should look to Connecticut, which generally limits contributions from communicator lobbyists to $100, for a lesson in strengthening public trust and reducing concerns about the influence of money in politics.
ICYMI
After five years, Providence Superintendent Montañez to leave post | Alexander Castro
Early voting sets midterms record, breaking 2022 mark | Ariana Figueroa
‘Medically frail’ Medicaid enrollees won’t have to prove their inability to work to keep coverage | Shalina Chatlani, Stateline
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