Rhode Island Supreme Court Picks Up Pawtucket Mayoral Candidate Borges Case: Grants Petitioner Immediate Injunctive Relief

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has issued temporary injunctive relief on behalf of Pawtucket Mayoral Candidate Ana Borges, leaving open her challenge to be listed on the ballot for the November General Election. Ms. Borges, in successive hearings before the Pawtucket Board of Canvassers and The Rhode Island Board of Elections, has alleged that the City of Pawtucket failed to properly inform Candidates that the City’s Election personnel, had in fact-maintained office hours (Till 4:00) on the final day of candidate petitions submissions, instead, leaving in place an answering machine message that announced that City Hall was in fact closed. Based on the understanding that the office was closed, Ms. Borges was unable, according to her complaint, to deliver the balance of the petitions necessary to gain ballot status.

The City of Pawtucket & The Board of Elections has been given until 4:00 July 29, to respond.

Ms. Borges has filed to run as an independent candidate. Her ballot listing is not impacted by an upcoming Primary Election.