Early voting begins in Johnston; new polling places set

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As early voting gets started, Johnston is still in need of poll workers for the Sept. 10 Primary Election.

“Currently we are at a shortage of approximately 10-12 poll workers for the upcoming September Election,” said Cinzia Travisono, of Johnston’s Board of Canvassers. “The town is also in need of an additional 5-10 alternate poll workers, in case there are any call outs the morning of the election.”

Early voting will take place at a new location this year. Voters from all Johnston precincts can cast early ballots at the Johnston Land Trust, 509 Greenville Ave.

“It’s always a difficult balance because you want to keep continuity as much as possible so you don’t confuse people, yet you want to make positive changes if possible,” said Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Jr. “With that being said, we did change where early voting takes place. In the past it occurred at town hall, but due to accessibility issues, particularly for seniors, it’s now at the Johnston Land Trust Building.”

Polisena said the Johnston Land Trust Building is ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible, has “plenty of parking, and it's right off a main road near a highway exit.”

In-person early voting started Wednesday, Aug. 21, and will conclude the day before the Primary (early in-person voting ends Monday, Sept. 9). Registered voters can cast their ballots early, in-person, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Johnston Board of Canvassers has released a list of polling locations for the Tuesday, Sept. 10 Primary Election (the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). The new polling places have been approved by the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office.

“This list should be used as a resource for all residents when it comes to information about voting in the upcoming Primary Election,” Polisena explained last week.

The new list “shows the Primary Day polling location switches, but those changes from the 2022 election to the 2024 elections were mandated by the state,” according to the mayor.

“In order to avoid confusion, we are sending out a card with the new information only to voters whose precinct has switched from the 2022 Primary and General Elections,” Polisena wrote via email. “Unfortunately, the state identifies polling locations by precinct, not district and there are multiple precincts in a district. If people are unsure of their precinct, I would direct them to go to www.vote.sos.ri.gov and input their information to find their polling place and a sample ballot too. These will all remain the same for the (General Election) in November, only the dates will change, so I will send out an updated list at some point in October with those new dates.”

2024 Primary Election Information & Polling Locations

In-person early voting starts Wednesday, Aug. 21 and ends Monday, Sept. 9.

Early voting hours are Monday–Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Early Voting

  • All Precincts: Johnston Land Trust, 509 Greenville Ave.

Primary Day voting occurs on Tuesday, September 10th from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Primary Day Voting Locations:

  • Precinct 1601: Winsor Hill Elementary Gym, 100 Theresa St.
  • Precinct 1602: Simmons Village Community Hall, 339 Simmonsville Ave.
  • Precinct 1603: Rainone Gym, 45 Mill St.
  • Precinct 1604: N.A. Ferri Middle School Gym, 10 Memorial Ave.
  • Precinct 1605: IUOE Local 57, 857 Central Ave.
  • Precinct 1606: N.A. Ferri Middle School Cafeteria, 10 Memorial Ave.
  • Precinct 1607: Aime J. Forand Community Hall, 8 Forand Circle
  • Precinct 1608: N.A. Ferri Middle School Cafeteria, 10 Memorial Ave.
  • Precinct 1609: Graniteville School Cafeteria, 6 Collins Ave.
  • Precinct 1610: Sarah Dyer Barnes School Cafeteria, 24 Barnes Ave.
  • Precinct 1611: Johnston High School Cafeteria, 345 Cherry Hill Road
  • Precinct 1612: Brown Avenue School Cafeteria, 14 Brown Ave.

Visit vote.sos.ri.gov to find your polling precinct and a sample ballot. Contact the Johnston Board of Canvassers for any questions at 401-553-8856 or email ctravisano@johnston-ri.us.

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