Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-12-4 (2026)

Endorsements by state committee

✓ current as of July 2026

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The state committee or the executive committee or any duly selected subcommittee of the executive committee acting under delegated authority may, when the town or district committee has failed or neglected to do so, within twenty-four (24) weekday hours of the failure, endorse and notify the local board of endorsement, if any, of the local candidates to be voted on in the primary. It shall also notify the secretary of state of the endorsement, if any, of any candidate to be voted for by the state at large; provided, that the endorsement of any candidate for representative in congress shall be by the members of the state committee who shall be from that particular congressional district. It shall also notify the secretary of state of the endorsement, if any, of any candidate for state senator or state representative. The endorsement shall be filed with the secretary of state not later than four o’clock (4:00) p.m. on the second day after the final day for filing declarations of candidacy. In the event the state committee, or the executive committee or any duly selected subcommittee of the executive committee acting under delegated authority, fails or neglects to endorse, then all party candidates shall be issued nomination papers without endorsement.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 1966–1992 · leading case: Gallant v. LaFrance, 222 A.2d 567 (R.I. 1966).

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Gallant v. LaFrance, 222 A.2d 567 (R.I. 1966). · cites it 5× “1956, §§17-12-5 (now §17-12-4) and 17-15-8, as amended. The plaintiff, a declared candidate for said congressional office, bases his complaint on two contentions.”

McKenna v. Reilly, 419 F. Supp. 1179 (D.R.I. 1976). · cites it 3× “G.L. § 17-12-4 (1970 ed.). The endorsed candidate is listed in the first column of the ballot and marked with an asterisk.”

Charlestown Democratic Town Comm. v. Connell, 789 F. Supp. 517 (D.R.I. 1992). · cites it 2× “R.I.Gen.Laws § 17-12-4. The state committee promulgates the internal rules for all other political committees of the party.”

Gosz v. Quattrocchi, 448 A.2d 135 (R.I. 1982). “2d 567, 570 (1966): “While it may be argued that committee endorsement of a primary candidate made pursuant to § 17-12-4, as amended supra, confers a theoretical advantage on a candidate so endorsed, it cannot be argued that such endorsement deprives any voter, otherwise…”

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