Question 1 · Legislative bond referendum (general obligation bonds, refunding bonds and temporary notes)
1. HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES - $275,000,000
Lets the state borrow up to $275 million through general obligation bonds for three public college buildings: a new health sciences building at the University of Rhode Island's Kingston campus, a renovated Adams Library with a career center at Rhode Island College, and a new workforce training center at the Community College of Rhode Island's Warwick campus. The state would repay the bonds, with interest, over as long as 20 years.
Passes with: Simple majority of those voting on the question; each question is approved or rejected on its own. Basis: Rhode Island Constitution, Article VI, Section 16 (the General Assembly cannot incur state debts over $50,000 without the express consent of the people) and Public Laws 2026, ch. 84, art. 5, sec. 3 (If a majority of the People voting on the proposition in Section 1 hereof shall vote to approve any project stated therein, said project shall be deemed to be approved by the People. The authority to issue bonds, refunding bonds and/or temporary notes of the State shall be limited to the aggregate amount for all such projects as set forth in the proposition, which has been approved by the People.).
Official ballot summary (the state’s text)
Shall the act passed by the General Assembly at the January 2026 session, allowing the State of Rhode Island to issue bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes to pay for the projects listed below, be approved, and the State be allowed to issue these bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes as outlined in the law? 1. HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES - $275,000,000: For capital improvements to higher education facilities, to be allocated as follows: a. University of Rhode Island Integrated Health Building - $165,000,000 b. Rhode Island College Adams Library Renovations - $50,000,000 c. Community College of Rhode Island Workforce Innovation Center - $60,000,000
Official fiscal summary
Total project and issuance costs: principal $275,000,000; interest $166,333,250; total costs $441,333,250. * Cost of issuance estimated at 0.4% of principal issued. ** Assumes an interest rate of 5%, with bonds amortized with level payments over 20 years. The total costs above are only estimates based on 20-year loans and an interest rate of 5%.
Committees for and against
Listed because the group's own CF-8 spending report filed with the Board of Elections names the question. These are spending reports, not committee registrations; amounts are on the campaign-money page.
Sources: RI Department of State, 2026 Voter Information Handbook: A Guide to State Referenda and Voting Procedures (General Election, Nov. 3, 2026); Full text.
Question 2 · Legislative bond referendum (general obligation bonds, refunding bonds and temporary notes)
2. HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP - $120,000,000
Lets the state borrow up to $120 million through general obligation bonds to build, buy, redevelop and preserve affordable and accessible housing. At least $25 million would go to housing meant for people to own, and up to $10 million could support a public housing development program.
Passes with: Simple majority of those voting on the question; each question is approved or rejected on its own. Basis: Rhode Island Constitution, Article VI, Section 16 (the General Assembly cannot incur state debts over $50,000 without the express consent of the people) and Public Laws 2026, ch. 84, art. 5, sec. 3 (If a majority of the People voting on the proposition in Section 1 hereof shall vote to approve any project stated therein, said project shall be deemed to be approved by the People. The authority to issue bonds, refunding bonds and/or temporary notes of the State shall be limited to the aggregate amount for all such projects as set forth in the proposition, which has been approved by the People.).
Official ballot summary (the state’s text)
Shall the act passed by the General Assembly at the January 2026 session, allowing the State of Rhode Island to issue bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes to pay for the projects listed below, be approved, and the State be allowed to issue these bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes as outlined in the law? 2. HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP - $120,000,000: To increase and preserve the availability of affordable and accessible housing to meet the needs of all Rhode Islanders and support community revitalization through the redevelopment of existing structures, new construction, property acquisition, and infrastructure improvements. Of this amount, at least twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be allocated towards increasing production of housing intended for homeownership and up to ten million dollars ($10,000,000) may be used to support a program for public housing development.
Official fiscal summary
Total project and issuance costs: principal $120,000,000; interest $72,586,000; total costs $192,586,000. * Cost of issuance estimated at 0.4% of principal issued. ** Assumes an interest rate of 5%, with bonds amortized with level payments over 20 years. The total costs above are only estimates based on 20-year loans and an interest rate of 5%.
Committees for and against
Listed because the group's own CF-8 spending report filed with the Board of Elections names the question. These are spending reports, not committee registrations; amounts are on the campaign-money page.
Sources: RI Department of State, 2026 Voter Information Handbook: A Guide to State Referenda and Voting Procedures (General Election, Nov. 3, 2026); Full text.
Question 3 · Legislative bond referendum (general obligation bonds, refunding bonds and temporary notes)
3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - $100,000,000
Lets the state borrow up to $100 million through general obligation bonds for economic development: $55 million to buy, clean up and prepare land for industry (including at the Quonset Business Park and the former I-195 land in Providence) and $45 million for facilities serving ocean, defense, life sciences and data industries.
Passes with: Simple majority of those voting on the question; each question is approved or rejected on its own. Basis: Rhode Island Constitution, Article VI, Section 16 (the General Assembly cannot incur state debts over $50,000 without the express consent of the people) and Public Laws 2026, ch. 84, art. 5, sec. 3 (If a majority of the People voting on the proposition in Section 1 hereof shall vote to approve any project stated therein, said project shall be deemed to be approved by the People. The authority to issue bonds, refunding bonds and/or temporary notes of the State shall be limited to the aggregate amount for all such projects as set forth in the proposition, which has been approved by the People.).
Official ballot summary (the state’s text)
Shall the act passed by the General Assembly at the January 2026 session, allowing the State of Rhode Island to issue bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes to pay for the projects listed below, be approved, and the State be allowed to issue these bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes as outlined in the law? 3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - $100,000,000: To fund site development and growth industry infrastructure for economic development purposes, to be allocated as follows: a. Site Development - $55,000,000 b. Growth Industry Infrastructure - $45,000,000
Official fiscal summary
Total project and issuance costs: principal $100,000,000; interest $60,483,750; total costs $160,483,750. * Cost of issuance estimated at 0.4% of principal issued. ** Assumes an interest rate of 5%, with bonds amortized with level payments over 20 years. The total costs above are only estimates based on 20-year loans and an interest rate of 5%.
Committees for and against
Listed because the group's own CF-8 spending report filed with the Board of Elections names the question. These are spending reports, not committee registrations; amounts are on the campaign-money page.
Sources: RI Department of State, 2026 Voter Information Handbook: A Guide to State Referenda and Voting Procedures (General Election, Nov. 3, 2026); Full text.
Question 4 · Legislative bond referendum (general obligation bonds, refunding bonds and temporary notes)
4. CULTURAL ECONOMY - $50,000,000
Lets the state borrow up to $50 million through general obligation bonds: $45 million to build a State History Center in the state government complex in Providence, with exhibit and archive storage space, and $5 million for matching grants to restore historic buildings used as museums, arts centers and other public sites.
Passes with: Simple majority of those voting on the question; each question is approved or rejected on its own. Basis: Rhode Island Constitution, Article VI, Section 16 (the General Assembly cannot incur state debts over $50,000 without the express consent of the people) and Public Laws 2026, ch. 84, art. 5, sec. 3 (If a majority of the People voting on the proposition in Section 1 hereof shall vote to approve any project stated therein, said project shall be deemed to be approved by the People. The authority to issue bonds, refunding bonds and/or temporary notes of the State shall be limited to the aggregate amount for all such projects as set forth in the proposition, which has been approved by the People.).
Official ballot summary (the state’s text)
Shall the act passed by the General Assembly at the January 2026 session, allowing the State of Rhode Island to issue bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes to pay for the projects listed below, be approved, and the State be allowed to issue these bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes as outlined in the law? 4. CULTURAL ECONOMY - $50,000,000: To provide funding for cultural economy efforts, to be allocated as follows: a. State History Center - $45,000,000 b. State Preservation Grants Program - $5,000,000
Official fiscal summary
Total project and issuance costs: principal $50,000,000; interest $30,242,500; total costs $80,242,500. * Cost of issuance estimated at 0.4% of principal issued. ** Assumes an interest rate of 5%, with bonds amortized with level payments over 20 years. The total costs above are only estimates based on 20-year loans and an interest rate of 5%.
Committees for and against
Listed because the group's own CF-8 spending report filed with the Board of Elections names the question. These are spending reports, not committee registrations; amounts are on the campaign-money page.
Sources: RI Department of State, 2026 Voter Information Handbook: A Guide to State Referenda and Voting Procedures (General Election, Nov. 3, 2026); Full text.
Question 5 · Legislative bond referendum (general obligation bonds, refunding bonds and temporary notes)
5. GREEN ECONOMY BONDS - $55,000,000
Lets the state borrow up to $55 million through general obligation bonds for environmental and recreation projects, the largest share being $25 million for local projects that make infrastructure and coastal areas better able to withstand flooding and storms. The rest goes to state park facilities, Narragansett Bay and watershed cleanup, brownfield cleanup grants, farmland and open space protection, local recreation grants and boat launches.
Passes with: Simple majority of those voting on the question; each question is approved or rejected on its own. Basis: Rhode Island Constitution, Article VI, Section 16 (the General Assembly cannot incur state debts over $50,000 without the express consent of the people) and Public Laws 2026, ch. 84, art. 5, sec. 3 (If a majority of the People voting on the proposition in Section 1 hereof shall vote to approve any project stated therein, said project shall be deemed to be approved by the People. The authority to issue bonds, refunding bonds and/or temporary notes of the State shall be limited to the aggregate amount for all such projects as set forth in the proposition, which has been approved by the People.).
Official ballot summary (the state’s text)
Shall the act passed by the General Assembly at the January 2026 session, allowing the State of Rhode Island to issue bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes to pay for the projects listed below, be approved, and the State be allowed to issue these bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes as outlined in the law? 5. GREEN ECONOMY BONDS - $55,000,000: For environmental and recreational purposes, to be allocated as follows: a. Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development - $3,000,000 b. Facility Improvements - $12,000,000 c. Local Recreation Projects - $1,000,000 d. Marine Infrastructure Development - $1,000,000 e. Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund - $25,000,000 f. Narragansett Bay Watershed Restoration - $7,000,000 g. Agricultural Land Preservation Commission - $3,000,000 h. Open Space Program - $3,000,000
Official fiscal summary
Total project and issuance costs: principal $55,000,000; interest $33,267,500; total costs $88,267,500. * Cost of issuance estimated at 0.4% of principal issued. ** Assumes an interest rate of 5%, with bonds amortized with level payments over 20 years. The total costs above are only estimates based on 20-year loans and an interest rate of 5%.
Committees for and against
Listed because the group's own CF-8 spending report filed with the Board of Elections names the question. These are spending reports, not committee registrations; amounts are on the campaign-money page.
Sources: RI Department of State, 2026 Voter Information Handbook: A Guide to State Referenda and Voting Procedures (General Election, Nov. 3, 2026); Full text.
What is not here yet
- Groups for and against each question come from CF-8 spending reports that name a statewide question (Rhode Island has no register of ballot-question committees). Page 1 of every such filing on the Board of Elections' site was read by machine; a handwritten form could have been missed. BQA-1 ballot question advocacy reports found were all about local questions or filed in 2025.
- The Board of Elections' own site (elections.ri.gov) and the Department of State's Voter Information Center pages (vote.sos.ri.gov) answer the workspace with a browser check (HTTP 403); the certified ballot for each city or town (sample ballots) was not read. The ballot wording is from the Department of State's handbook PDF, which downloads normally.
- Court challenges: none found in a news search on Oct. 28, 2026; state and federal court dockets were not checked.
- Cost figures are the Department of State's estimates (20-year level payments at 5%); the actual interest depends on when and at what rates bonds are sold.
Gaps in the ballot records as of the date checked.