A field of 19 gubernatorial candidates has been whittled down to, potentially, just five — including Gov. Dan McKee — based on signatures totals on candidates’ nomination papers, which were due to local boards of canvassers by 4 p.m. Friday.
The signature counts, tracked online in real time by the Rhode Island Department of State, are not yet finalized, which means more candidates could meet the signature minimums — ranging from 50 for state representatives to 1,000 for governor — for ballet placement.
Local boards of canvassers have until Thursday, July 16, to review and verify the signatures, confirming the accuracy of the signatory and voter information including address and party affiliation against the state’s master voter database. Verified signatures for state offices are then submitted to the Department of State, which certifies the number of John Hancocks needed to qualify for ballot placement. In local races, municipal election administrators are also responsible for the second step of signature certification…