FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rhode Island Republican Party: East Providence Nomination Paper Controversy Underscores the Importance of Election Integrity

WARWICK, R.I. — The Rhode Island Republican Party today commended Republican East Providence School Committee candidate Chrissy Rossi for pursuing accountability and transparency in Rhode Island’s election process after filing an appeal of the East Providence Board of Canvassers’ decision to certify the nomination papers of incumbent School Committee member Jessica Beauchaine.

Beauchaine has served on the East Providence School Committee since 2014. According to publicly reported screenshots of a now-deleted Facebook post, she described leaving nomination papers on her porch for voters to sign “as usual,” indicating that this was her customary practice. That statement became central to the challenge filed by Rossi, who argued that Rhode Island law requires nomination paper signatures to be personally witnessed by the candidate or an authorized campaign worker before the papers are certified.

Following the East Providence Board of Canvassers’ decision to reject Rossi’s challenge, Rossi traveled to the Rhode Island Board of Elections in Cranston to file an appeal. Before the appeal could be heard, the Board of Elections informed her that Beauchaine was withdrawing from the race.

Ms. Rossi stated, “It was shocking when the East Providence Board of Canvassers decided in Beauchaine’s favor despite all the evidence and the law. In addition to the papers being left unattended on her porch, a sitting Councilman Rick Lawson collected signatures for her at a separate location, and Ms. Beauchaine signed as the witness to those signatures too, which is another violation.”

Rossi continued, “I felt that I was up against the Democrat Machine in East Providence. This is a win for the little guy. I thank RIGOP Chairman Allyn Meyers for his unwavering support throughout this process.”

Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Allyn Meyers said the controversy highlights why strict adherence to election laws is essential to maintaining public confidence. Meyers praised Rossi for pursuing the appeal despite the political challenges involved.

“Chrissy Rossi demonstrated the importance of citizens holding government accountable. Her appeal sought to ensure that Rhode Island’s election laws were applied fairly and consistently. Rhode Islanders deserve the assurance that election laws are enforced equally, without exception.”

Although the appeal became unnecessary following Beauchaine’s withdrawal from the race, the Rhode Island Republican Party believes the issues it raised remain important. The Party will continue advocating for the fair and consistent enforcement of Rhode Island’s election laws because public confidence in our elections depends on the equal application of the rules to every candidate, regardless of party or position.