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Thank you to each of the over 4000 voters who took the time to vote this year and congratulations to all the winners! Ten out of eleven local candidates that CCA supported in the November 3 election were elected. The election may be over, but Charlestown Citizens Alliance will continue to engage the public to encourage Charlestown’s government to protect our environment, economy, and future.
If you requested a mail ballot and still have it, take your completed mail ballot to any official mail ballot drop box in Rhode Island. If you waited to vote until Election Day, November 3, you must vote at your Official Polling Place. Where to vote and where to find a mail ballot drop box are explained in this post.
After 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, November 3, the RI Board of elections will begin to report election results for Charlestown. You can get to the Charlestown results by clicking on the link in this post.
When: Saturday, November 7 (Rain Date: November 8) from 9 am to 11 am
Where: Meet at Ninigret Park, Parking Lot C, 5 Park Lane, Charlestown
Cost: Free and open to all
RSVP: Link in post to let CLT know you’re coming!
The Charlestown Land Trust (CLT) invites you to join them in a rewarding community cleanup event.
These Town Council candidates are committed to Charlestown. Our town deserves a government that will safeguard our excellent quality of life, our low tax rate, and our beautiful environment. Read more to learn about each of these Town Council Candidates and their deep commitment to our town.
When: Friday, October 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
Cost: Tickets are $5 per person over 4 years old, online only. Get tickets one or two days before the event. Link to get tickets in this post.
Dig out that old costume, put on your mask, and come out to the creepy woodlands of Ninigret Park to celebrate the Eve of All Hallows… If you dare…
These candidates will bring education, experience, science, and a commitment to conservation to the elected Planning Commission. The two top vote getters will serve as full voting members. The next two vote getters will be elected as alternates. Alternates participate fully in all Planning Commission discussions and vote in the absence of a full voting member.
When: Saturday, October 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Ninigret Park Parking Lot
Pre-register your trunk: Trunks and people handing out candy must pre-register to participate. For all others, this is not required. Link to pre-register in post.
Dress the kids in costumes and enjoy trick or treating with a twist; instead of going from house to house, participants will trick or treat from one decorated car trunk to another.
What: Deer Mating Season
When: Mid-October through December
It’s deer mating season and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) reminds drivers to keep an eye out for deer crossing roadways, particularly at dawn and dusk, when they’re on the move looking for love.
When: Wednesday, November 4 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: South Kingstown High School, 215 Columbia St, Wakefield
Preregistration: Amtrak is asking you to register if you plan to attend (link to register in post)
Amtrak says they will have an update about the Study’s progress. The public can explore what is being evaluated, speak with members of the project team, and share their feedback. The open house is a drop-in event and you can join anytime between 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
The Charlestown Climate Resiliency Commission is looking for input from communities across the South County region on well water issues and usage as they work with agencies and partners to kick off an aquifer resilience initiative. Your responses to this 5-minute survey will help them determine next best steps toward building a shared regional understanding of how much our aquifer can sustainably support now and into the future.
Visit our 2026 election page to learn about local candidates, home rule charter changes, bond referenda, and more. Select a blue tab for “Candidates”, “Platform”, or “Charter” for access to detailed discussions for each of these. The “News” tab contains all the election stories we have covered in the 2026 election.
CCA supports the three School Committee candidates highlighted in blue on the sample ballot. These three candidates are also profiled at the Chariho United website, and in the League of Women Voters election guide. Ensuring that our town’s children get an excellent education at a reasonable cost requires the highest qualified candidates to represent Charlestown on the Chariho School Committee. CCA recruits and supports the most experienced educators for School Committee.
On the November 3 election ballot is Question 6, a $116 Million bond referendum to build a Unified Elementary School Campus at the site of the current Charlestown Elementary School, at the corner of Rt. 112 and Shannock Road in Charlestown. In this post is the question as it will appear on the election ballot, a breakdown of costs and tax impacts, and a link to learn more.
Wednesday, October 14 was the first day of Early Voting at Town Hall. Early voting will take place at Town Hall, anytime between 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from October 14 to November 2 at 4:00 p.m. The state prints different ballots for each precinct in Charlestown. Sample ballots for each precinct in this post.
When you fill in your mail ballot from now until November 3 or enter the voting booth from October 14 to November 3, please vote for the candidates in this post, highlighted in blue. From the shore of the Block Island Sound to the villages along the Pawcatuck River they will protect our quality of life, our low tax rate, and our beautiful environment.
Please Reject Charter Question 7
Please Consider Approval of Charter Questions 8, 9, and 10
Read the post for full explanations of all the Charter Questions.
Despite the apparent opposition to expanded land conservation in Charlestown from one or more of the current Town Council members, passage of “State Question 5” would provide the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) with funds to do their own land acquisition through the State Land Acquisition Program. As DEM says in promoting the bond, “protecting open space preserves our natural environment, expands recreational opportunities, and is key to building a vibrant economy and quality of place.”
Coleen is a small business owner, professional comedian, motivational speaker and former special education teacher who is committed to preserving Charlestown’s natural resources, history and character. She believes that it is possible to focus on preservation and work with all parties to find solutions that will best serve our community as a whole as we grow. Coleen contends that even though she has traveled all over the world, Charlestown is truly the most wonderful place she has ever been.
Bonnie serves on the Town Council, having been elected five times. She served previously as treasurer and a director of the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center for 7 years and has a BA in Economics. She has devoted years working to protect the environment and our precious natural resources and believes growth must be carefully planned, sustainable, and consistent with our rural character and heritage, and for that to happen, the State needs to return control of land-use decisions to the town and recognize the value of our irreplaceable resources.
When: Sunday, October 11 at 11:00 am sharp. There is no rain date!!
Where: Meet up near the soccer fields and tennis courts at Ninigret Park
Who: Sponsored by Charlestown’s Block Island Sound Bikeway Committee
To celebrate October, Charlestown’s Block Island Sound Bikeway Committee invites interested cyclists to join them for a ride.
The deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the November 3 general election is October 13. If you think an out-of-town trip, bad weather, or any other reason may stop you from voting in the 2026 general election, consider ordering a mail ballot. Or if you simply enjoy the convenience of voting by mail, the reason “I choose to vote by mail” is an allowed reason to request a mail ballot.
Many Rhode Island towns are asking that the state return control over land use, zoning, and planning to the municipalities. That alone won’t guarantee protection of our groundwater, but without local control, our clean drinking water and other natural resources will continue to be threatened by high-density development. Over the years, and especially since 2023, we have published many articles related to these topics. We have now collected them in one place on our website.
Gordon is a retired pharmaceutical executive who believes strongly in local control of planning and zoning, and believes the town should do all it can to educate the legislature and governor about the importance of protecting Charlestown’s irreplaceable natural resources. Gordon’s impressive history of leadership, his education in science, his experience as a member of a zoning board, and his commitment to Charlestown’s natural resources will make him an excellent member of the Charlestown Planning Commission.
When: Saturday, October 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Mill Pond Preserve, 4962 South County Trail in Charlestown (across from East Charles St. on South County Trail)
RSVP: Please register for this event
The Charlestown Land Trust invites you to join them at Mill Pond Preserve for their annual S’mores Social. Enjoy a marshmallow roast with good company and conversation!
When: Wednesday, October 14 at 5:30 pm
Where: Quonochontaug Grange, 5662 Post Road in Charlestown
What: Charlestown Land Trust Members’ Annual Meeting with keynote speaker Sara Michaud from the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association
Who: This meeting is free and open to everyone
Contestants were asked to submit photos taken on one of the five National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island. All the entered photos will be on exhibit at Sachuest Point Visitors Center in Middletown from Saturday, September 19 to October 3 and then displayed at Kettle Pond Visitors Center in Charlestown from October 4 to October 19.
When: October 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Over 30 art workshops and exhibits in multiple locations in Hopkinton, Richmond and surrounding areas
What: Visit local artists and artisans in their studios and workshops and view their amazing work
Cost: Free
David has a BS in Business Administration and has been a founder and executive officer of national supply chain management corporations. He was elected Town Moderator in 2024 where he has facilitated respectful, thoughtful dialogue at each meeting he has chaired. His background, character, education and experience have made him an excellent Town Moderator. The Budget Public Hearings need David’s ability to chair complex meetings, his skills to assure the debate is open, and his broad knowledge of the major underlying issues.
Charlestown Town Council Candidate Forum
When: Tuesday, October 6, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)
Where: Cross Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Rd., Charlestown
Chariho School Committee Event
When: Saturday, October 3, 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Chariho High School Cafeteria, 453 Switch Road, Wood River Junction, RI