Projo Politics Blog

Several challenges have been lodged on decisions to certify -- or not certify -- certain candidates for the Rhode Island election ballot, Secretary of State Ralph Mollis's office said.

The deadline to challenge was 4 p.m. today for candidates in both the Sept. 9 primary and the Nov. 4 election. The challenges are:

* The state Democratic Party objected to signatures submitted by Jonathan Scott, the Republican candidate certified by the Secretary of State's Office to appear on the ballot for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a Democrat.

* Phillip Hirons objected to the striking of three signatures on Scott's nomination papers.

* The state Democratic Party objected to signatures submitted by Christopher Young, a Democratic candidate certified to appear on the ballot for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat.

* In the state House District 6 seat, Democrat Dirk J. Hennessey of Providence objected to the Providence Board of Canvassers certifying fewer than the 50 signatures he needed to qualify for the ballot. Hennessey was one of two Democrats listed on the Secretary of State's Web site as not being certified to appear on the ballot. The incumbent, who has been certified fro the ballot, is Democrat Peter N. Wasylyk of Providence.

* Wasylyk objected to several signatures on Hennessey's nomination papers.

* Dana J. Peloso of Warren objected to decisions by the Barrington and Warren boards of canvassers to certify fewer than the 50 signatures he needed to qualify for the ballot. On the basis of the boards' decisions, Peloso failed to qualify for the House District 67 seat now held by state Rep. Jan Malik, who has been certified to appear on the ballot. Read a Journal report on the matter.

* Malik objected to Peloso's nomination papers in District 67, which covers parts of Warren and Barrington.

* The Warren Democratic Committee objected to Peloso's nomination papers.

* William Pierce, a Democrat who was not certified to be on the ballot, objected to the Warwick Board of Canvassers decision not to certify his nomination papers for the House District 24 seat held by Rep. Joseph Trillo, a Republican.

See the candidates and their certification filings by browsing the Secretary of State's online database.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

 Tags  candidate challenges candidates R.I. election

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