Rhode Island Department of State
Gregg M. Amore

Federal Offices

President of the United States - The president is the leader of the executive branch of the federal government. The president is responsible for executing the laws of the United States, can sign and veto bills, and appoints the secretaries of the administrative agencies. The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. She/he is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

Vice President of the United States - The vice-president is the second ranking officer of the executive branch. In the event of the president’s death, resignation, impeachment, or inability to serve, the vice-president shall fill the office of president until the president is qualified to act, or until the office is filled at the next election. She/he presides over the Senate but is only allowed to vote when it is necessary to break a tie. She/he also presides over joint sessions of Congress. The vice-president is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

US Senator - US Senators are elected members of the United States Senate. Each state has two US Senators who serve six-year terms. They write and vote on laws, and approve judicial and cabinet nominations.

US Representative/Congressperson - Congresspersons are elected members of the United States House of Representatives. The number of congresspersons per state is in proportion to the state’s population; Rhode Island has two congresspersons. The chief duties of a congressperson are to introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, serve on committees, and vote to pass laws in Congress. Congresspersons serve two-year terms.

State Offices

Governor - The governor is the leader of the executive branch of state government. The governor is responsible for executing the laws of the state, can sign and veto bills, and appoints the secretaries of the administrative agencies and chairpersons of various boards and commissions. The governor chairperson of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation board of directors and commander-in-chief of the state's military.  Rhode Island governors are limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

Lieutenant Governor - The lieutenant governor is the second ranking officer of the executive branch. In the event of the governor’s death, resignation, impeachment, or inability to serve, the lieutenant governor shall fill the office of governor until the governor is qualified to act, or until the office is filled at the next election. The lieutenant governor serves as the chairperson of the Small Business Advocacy Council and the Emergency Management Advisory Council. The lieutenant governor is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

Secretary of State – The secretary of state is the state’s third ranking elected official, following the governor and lieutenant governor. The person in this position is the chief state elections official, works with companies registered to do business in Rhode Island, and signs state laws and other official acts. The secretary of state is also charged with regulating lobbying activity in the executive and legislative branches of state government. In addition, the secretary of state processes, preserves and gives the public access to hundreds of thousands of historic documents and public records in the State Library and Archives. The secretary is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

General Treasurer - The state treasurer is the state's chief investment officer, accounting for the receipt and disbursement of public funds, short and long-term debt management, investment of state funds, administration of retirement systems and pension funds, collecting and returning unclaimed financial property to rightful owners, improving the financial literacy of Rhode Islanders, and advising state policymakers on various fiscal and policy issues. The treasurer is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

Attorney General - The attorney general, chief law enforcement officer in the state, is responsible for enforcing all of Rhode Island’s laws. She/he is responsible for the prosecution of all felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals as well as the prosecution of misdemeanor cases brought by state law enforcement. She/he also acts as legal counsel to all state agencies, departments, and commissions and may represent the state in legal matters to protect Rhode Islanders. The attorney general is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

State Senator - State senators serve in the in the Rhode Island Senate, one of two chambers in Rhode Island’s General Assembly. Rhode Island senators serve on committees, introduce bills and enact laws, and confirm judicial nominations and gubernatorial appointments. They are elected every two years. There are 38 state senators in Rhode Island and each senator represents approximately 27,000 Rhode Islanders.

State Representative - State representatives serve in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, one of two chambers in Rhode Island’s General Assembly. Rhode Island Representatives serve on committees, introduce bills and enact laws, and lead the process of developing the annual state budget introduced by the Governor. They are elected every two years. There are 75 state representatives in Rhode Island and each representative represents approximately 14,000 Rhode Islanders.

Municipal Offices

Mayor/City Manager/Town Manager/Town Administrator - The official who serves as the executive officer of a city or town. Some are elected and others are appointed.

City Councilor/Town Councilor - One of several elected officials who make laws and pass ordinances at the municipal level. Councilors also serve on committees and approve municipal budgets.

School Committee/Board of Trustees - Committee or Board members vote on issues related to school administration and maintenance. In some municipalities, members are elected; in others they are appointed.

Party Committee Offices

City/Town Party Committee - Committee members vote to endorse candidates for local offices. Committee members are elected in the primary.

Party Ward Committee - Committee members vote to endorse candidates for local offices. Committee members are elected in the primary.

Party District Committee - Committee members vote to endorse a candidate for state senator or state representative. Committee members are elected in the primary.