LWV Of Rhode Island

This opinion was originally published in the Newport Daily News.

Two years after a mob of angry citizens stormed the U.S. Capitol and temporarily prevented Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results, The League of Women Voters of Newport County decided to organize a vigil to commemorate the date, pay respect to the Capitol police officers who took their own lives in the days and weeks following the events of January 6, 2021, and encourage civic involvement to safeguard democracy in Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE — Last week, litigation filed by Rhode Island students seeking to establish a constitutional right to a civics education ended with an agreement that both sides agree will strengthen civics education in the state. The League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island filed an amicus brief in the case — Cook v. McKee — highlighting the powerful connection between civics education and voter participation.  

LWVUS and LWV of Rhode Island filed an amicus brief in the case of Cook v. Raimondo, in which twelve student plaintiffs are suing the state of Rhode Island to demand a right to an education adequate to prepare students to engage in civic society. 

The Supreme Court of the United States blocked an attempt to stop Rhode Island officials from waiving mail-in ballot security measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A First Circuit Court judge upheld a lower court ruling to accept an agreement waiving the witness/notary requirements for mail-in ballots throughout the 2020 elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.