Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos faces more questions about signatures collected in support of her campaign in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District.
Earlier this week, Newport’s local canvassing authority rejected 14 of 32 signatures collected on behalf of Matos’ campaign, due to how they were very different from signatures on record. On Wednesday, Newport elections officials asked local police to investigate after determining that three additional signatures are suspicious.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Peter Neronha is working with Jamestown police to examine questionable signatures gathered there for Matos, including those of deceased individuals.
Some of Matos’ 12 Democratic rivals in the CD1 race have called for a thorough investigation of her signature-collection effort.
“There has been no accountability from the lieutenant governor,” one Democratic competitor, Gabe Amo, said in a statement. “It is shocking and disturbing that the lieutenant governor has not held a press conference to take questions directly from the press nor spoken directly to Rhode Islanders.”
Aaron Regunberg, in a statement, said, “With our democracy quite literally under attack right now, it’s more important than ever that we stand up for fair elections that voters can have faith in. It appears the Matos campaign has failed on these absolutely critical measures.”
Another Democrat, Don Carlson, said he has written to Secretary of State Gregg Amore, seeking to challenge signatures gathered on behalf of Matos in a number of communities.
“Given the compelling evidence of fraud, a decent respect for the integrity of the state elections process requires that the local boards of canvassers take affirmative steps to validate all of the nomination papers submitted by the Matos campaign,” Carlson writes in his letter.
With the CD1 ballot being finalized this week with 12 Democrats and two Republicans ahead of the Sept. 5 primary, the signature controversy represents unwelcome news coverage for Matos’ campaign.
In a statement, Matos said, “While it is clear we have submitted more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, I am deeply troubled by what has been reported in the news. Anyone who violated the law should be held accountable and will have no role on my campaign.”
The signatures for Matos in Jamestown and Newport were gathered by Holly McClaren, according to forms submitted by the campaign. It was not immediately clear if she remains connected to Matos’ campaign.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org
