You’re Invited to See How Ballots Are Made

In preparation for Rhode Island’s own version of Super Tuesday, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is inviting the public to a lottery Wed., March 7, at 5 p.m. in the State Room of the State House.

We will use equipment borrowed from the R.I. Lottery to determine the order in which the candidates for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations will appear on the state’s April 24 primary ballot.

In a scene familiar to Rhode Islanders who watch the state’s daily lottery numbers selected on TV, candidates will be assigned numbered, specially calibrated, white plastic balls. After each ball floats to the top of the machine, we will announce where the corresponding candidate’s name will appear on the ballot.

Barack Obama will compete with “Uncommitted” for the top spot on the Democratic presidential primary ballot. Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Buddy Roemer, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum will compete with “Uncommitted” for ballot position on the Republican ballot.

We will also use the lottery machine to determine ballot position for the 119 Rhode Islanders who are running for the right to attend the Democratic or Republican National Convention as a delegate.