PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Two Rhode Island politicians say state House and Senate leaders should be chosen by secret ballot instead of a roll call vote.
The Providence Journal reports Democratic Sen. Donna Nesselbush and Democratic Senate candidate Sam Bell say state law calls for a secret ballot. They say that a roll call vote props up a “system of rewards and punishment” because leadership can identify who voted for and against them.
Nesselbush introduced a bill earlier this year that would have required secret ballots during caucus votes. However, the measure was rejected by a committee.
Neither House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello nor Senate President Dominick Ruggerio responded to requests for a comment on the law’s interpretation.
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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com
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