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Rhode Island · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure

Question 4: what your vote means

Cultural economy. On every Rhode Island ballot. Official sources checked October 21, 2026.

Question 4 · General obligation bond referendum

Cultural economy

Official ballot title (quoted exactly)

4. CULTURAL ECONOMY - $50,000,000 To provide funding for cultural economy efforts, to be allocated as follows: a. State History Center - $45,000,000 b. State Preservation Grants Program - $5,000,000

Ballot question as shown in the 2026 Rhode Island Voter Information Handbook, Secretary of State.

A YES vote means:

You support the State issuing $50,000,000 in general obligation bonds for cultural economy efforts.

A NO vote means:

You are against the State issuing $50,000,000 in general obligation bonds for cultural economy efforts, and these projects would not be funded through this borrowing.

What it would change

  • Projects: a State History Center in the State government complex in Providence ($45 million) and State Preservation Grants for historic sites and museums ($5 million).
  • Timeline: History Center expected to be ready by fall 2030; grants awarded over three to five years.
  • Repayment: the State pays back the amount borrowed, with interest, over time.
  • Fiscal impact: The Voter Information Handbook estimates a total cost of $80,242,500: $50,000,000 in principal plus $30,242,500 in interest, assuming 20-year bonds at 5% interest with level payments (including issuance costs of 0.4% of principal).

Who supports it and who opposes it

These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed.

Who supports it

Not yet compiled

Who opposes it

Not yet compiled

Official sources

SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.