October 28, 2011 – RI Future

October 28, 2011January 2, 2012

Ward 9 Residents Face Saturday Deadline

Secretary of State Mollis is reminding residents of Providence’s Ward 9 that this Saturday is the deadline to register to vote in the special election to fill the late Miguel Luna’s City Council seat.

Residents are scheduled to go to the polls Nov. 29. State law requires voters to be registered at least 30 days before an election in order to be eligible to cast a ballot.

In order to register and vote in the special election, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of Ward 9. In addition, state law requires registered voters who have recently changed their names or moved into Ward 9 to re-register.

“If you are not sure whether you are registered to vote or whether your voter-registration information is up to date, check for yourself using our Voter Information Center.”

Even though the deadline falls on a Saturday, Providence officials will open City Hall from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for residents to register or update their voter registration at the last minute.

Carmen Castillo, who won last Tuesday’s Democratic primary, will face off again Republican Christian Chirino. Castillo’s name will appear first on the ballot thanks to winning the public lottery we held.

There are two more upcoming milestones in the Nov. 29 election calendar.

Nov. 8 is the deadline to request a mail ballot. The Providence Board of Canvassers must receive applications by 4 p.m. on the 8th.

After the deadline for requesting a mail ballot passes, voters who unexpectedly find that they will be unable to vote at their polling place can go to city hall during normal business hours through Nov. 28 and request an Emergency Ballot.

October 28, 2011January 7, 2012

Youth Offer Transportation Solutions

Transportation is under siege in Rhode Island. Funding for RIPTA is limited and many are outraged at proposed route and service cuts. Providence youth have experienced barriers to affordable transportation since 2009 when state legislation decreased funding for the state’s health insurance plans; a source of most school bus passes. Equipped with extensive research and passion for change, a group of youth is taking a unique approach to the problem. The leaders of Youth 4 Change Alliance (Y4C) are creating solutions and inviting others to be a part.

Y4C, an alliance comprised of four non-profit youth organizations—Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), the Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), Young Voices, and Youth In Action (YIA)—has been pushing for more youth voice and influence in institutional bodies of power. After a year of research the youth-driven alliance is launching their Transportation 4 Education Campaignon Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 5:30 to 7:00pm at The Salon, 57 Eddy Street, Providence.

The campaign launch, although youth-led, hopes to engage the whole community with opportunities to be a part of the solution. At the event stakeholders, community leaders and youth will learn what it’s[Invalid video specified] like to walk in the shoes of a Providence youth. Providence schooling and transportation data will also be released. The event will include interactive twitter Q&A sessions, an action auction where stakeholders are asked to commit to joining the campaign and prizes for youth participants. The event is free and open to the public.

Transportation 4 Education campaign aims to decrease student barriers to attending school. Through a process of research, community building and developing concrete solutions, the youth-driven alliance will make lasting change for Providence youth. Y4C is dedicated to obtaining affordable monthly bus passes for all Providence public high school students who live more than one walking mile from their school. Y4C seeks to partner with the City of Providence, Providence Public School Department, RIPTA, business and community leaders to leverage creative funding for this education investment.