2020 Rhode Island Question 1

Question 1

Changing the Official Name of the State
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 247,261 53.12% No 218,175 46.88% Total votes 465,436 100.00%
County results Municipality results Congressional district results Precinct results Yes   90–100%   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% No   90–100%   60–70%   50–60% Other   Tie   No data
Source: Associated Press [1]

Question 1 was a 2020 ballot measure in Rhode Island to change the official name of the state from State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to State of Rhode Island. The proposal passed with 53% of the vote. ^[2]

Background

Main article: Rhode Island § Name

The state was officially named the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" when it declared statehood in 1790. Over time it became commonly known as simply "Rhode Island".

The General Assembly voted in 2009 to hold a referendum in November 2010 on removing "and Providence Plantations" from the official name. Supporters of the change argued that the word "plantation" is associated in modern English with slavery, while opponents pointed out that "plantation" in this context is simply an archaic synonym of "colony" or "settlement". The people voted overwhelmingly (78% to 22%) against the change. ^[3]

In June 2020, Governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order to remove the phrase "Providence Plantations" from all official state documents. ^[4] Raimondo wrote, "Many of the State's residents find it painful that a word so closely associated with slavery should appear in the official name of the State [...] the pain that this association causes to some of our residents should be of concern to all Rhode Islanders and we should do everything in our power to ensure that all communities can take pride in our State[.]" ^[5] However, changing the state's full official name required a state constitutional amendment that needed to be approved by voters. ^[6] Raimondo "urge[d] the voters to approve the name change". ^[5]

Results

Question 1 ^[7]

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	247,261	53.12
No	218,175	46.88
Total votes	465,436	100.00

References

1. "Election Results". Associated Press. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
2. O'Kane, Caitlin (November 4, 2020). "Rhode Island votes to change state's full name after criticism over slavery connotations". CBS News. CBS Interactive Inc. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
3. Macris, Gina (November 3, 2010). "Strong 'no' to changing R.I. name". The Providence Journal . Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
4. DaSilva, Melanie; Doiron, Sarah (June 22, 2020). "Raimondo signs executive order removing 'Providence Plantations' from official documents". WPRI.COM 12. Providence, Rhode Island: Nexstar Inc. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
5. "Executive Order 20-48: Rise Together – First Steps To A More Equitable And Resilient Rhode Island". State of Rhode Island. June 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
6. Evelyn, Kenya (June 24, 2020). "Rhode Island moves to change official name over slavery ties". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
7. "2020 General Election statewide summary". Rhode Island Board of Elections. November 30, 2020. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.