Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution, Article IV, Section 1, that would allow a non-partisan election of the secretary of state, commencing with the 2030 election.

Plain-English Summary

This bill proposes a change to Rhode Island's State Constitution that would make the Secretary of State a non-partisan elected office, meaning candidates for that position would no longer run as Democrats, Republicans, or members of any other political party. Instead, voters would choose among candidates without party labels attached. This change would take effect starting with the 2030 election.

Because this is a constitutional amendment, it cannot simply be passed by the legislature alone. It would need to be approved by Rhode Island voters in a statewide referendum before it could take effect. The Secretary of State is currently one of several statewide offices filled through regular partisan elections.

The change would affect Rhode Island voters and anyone who runs for Secretary of State. Candidates would compete without the advantage or disadvantage of a party affiliation on the ballot, and voters would need to evaluate them based on qualifications and positions rather than party membership. The Secretary of State's office oversees elections, business registrations, and public records, among other responsibilities.

As of the most recent update, the bill was postponed at the request of its own sponsor in late March 2026 and has not advanced further. This means it is not currently moving through the legislative process, though it could potentially be reconsidered in the future.