Most anti-gun politicians in Rhode Island are not defeated in November. They are defeated — or protected — in the Democratic primary. If you are sitting out the primary, you are giving up your most powerful vote.
Why the Primary Election Matters #
Rhode Island primaries open to unaffiliated voters. That means registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary, and registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary. But Unaffiliated voters can choose which primary to vote in.
The problem is that most anti-gun legislators represent heavily Democratic districts. They often run unopposed in November or win by large margins. Their real vulnerability is the primary, where turnout is low and small vote swings decide races. Several anti-gun senators have won their primaries by fewer than 600 votes. Some ran completely unopposed.
If pro-gun voters are not in the primary, those races go uncontested.
The Strategy #
The goal is to remove anti-gun incumbents before they reach November, or to weaken them enough that a pro-gun challenger has a real shot in the general election.
To vote in the Democratic primary, you need to be registered as unaffiliated. This is not about changing your political beliefs. It is about voting where the fight actually happens.
How to Do It: Four Steps #
- Check your registration. Go to the Rhode Island Secretary of State voter information center and look up your status. Many people think they are unaffiliated when they are actually registered with a party. Verify before assuming.
- Change to unaffiliated if needed. If you are registered as a Republican or with any other party, click Edit My Voter Record and change your status to unaffiliated.
- Contact your legislators. Let your state representative, state senator, and the Governor know you are an unaffiliated gun owner who will vote against any candidate supporting gun restrictions. Make it clear this is not just talk.
- Vote in the Democratic primary. On primary day, vote against any candidate who has supported gun bans or restrictions. This is where incumbents are most vulnerable.
What Changed: No More Re-Registration #
A recent change in Rhode Island law makes this easier than it used to be. If you vote in a primary as an unaffiliated voter, you automatically remain unaffiliated after the election. You do not need to fill out a disaffiliation form afterward. You can re-register with your original party at any time by simply updating your voter record.
Common Questions #
Does this mean I am becoming a Democrat? No. Unaffiliated is not a party. You are not joining anything. You are choosing which primary to participate in.
Can I re-register with my party afterward? Yes. Update your voter record at any time through the Secretary of State website.
What if I am already unaffiliated? You are ready to go. Confirm your registration and show up on primary day.
Does my single vote matter? In a primary, yes. Rhode Island Democratic primaries have been decided by as few as 136 votes in districts with thousands of unaffiliated gun owners who sat it out. The math is on our side if we show up.
