By now, most people have a pretty good idea who they want to see in the White House come Jan. 21, 2021. But further down the ballot, the more complex things become. Here’s a little clarity on the questions at the very end of the ballot, and why they were put there in the first place.

The first question is on every ballot in the state.

1. Amendment to the Constitution of the State (Changing the official name of the State)

Approval of the amendment to the Title, Preamble, Section 3 of Article III, and Section 8 of Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution set forth below will have the effect of changing the official name of the State from “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” to “State of Rhode Island.”

This ballot question goes on to present the impacted sections of the Rhode Island Constitution, but long story short, the question asks, not for the first time, if Rhode Islanders want to change the name of the state, eliminating “and Providence Plantations” from the end.

Detractors note that in this context, the word “plantations” has nothing to do with slavery in the pre-Civil War American south, and the change should not be made based on this inaccurate interpretation of the origin of the name. Proponents of making the change say that original intent aside, the definition of plantation has become so entwined with slavery in America that the word causes offense and has no place in the state’s name.

Questions 2 through 7 are only on Bristol ballots and are amendments to the Bristol

Home Rule Charter, recommended by the 2020 Charter Commission and approved by the Town Council at its July 22 meeting.

2. Changing the title of Town Administrator to Mayor

Another question Bristol voters have seen before is back because, according to Town Council Chairman Nathan Calouro, “we see value in this.” Bristol is a bit of an outlier with this issue, as Mayor is more in line with the executive title given other town leaders who earned their seat via election. Town Administrator is more typically an appointed position given a Council appointee, who then answers to that Council. In short, “Mayor,” in the view of the Charter Commission and Town Council, has more muscle.

3. Manner of filling a temporary vacancy in the office of the Town Administrator/Mayor

This question would give more latitude to the Council to quickly fill the executive seat with the best-available interim, should that become necessary. Traditionally, it was thought that a member of the Council would step into that role, but these days, members of the Town Council have other jobs and roles that from which they cannot not readily step away.

4. Extending the timeframe for appointment for Town Solicitor and Probate Judge

Whereas the previous Charter requires immediate (next meeting) filling of these positions following a vacancy, the Charter Review Commission found, and the Town Council agreed, that in the event of the seating of a new member of Council who had yet to work with the people in these roles, allowing 90 days would give that Council member an opportunity to do their homework and make a more informed decision.

5. Eliminating the residency requirement for the Sealer of Weights and Measures

“Very few people are qualified to do this job,” said Town Clerk Lou Cirillo at the July 22 meeting. It has long been filled by an appointee of the Town Administrator who performs this function in several communities. Eliminating this requirement will allow the town to hire the best person for the job, regardless of their residency.

6. Conforming purchasing requirements to state law

Bristol has long required that any job over $5,000 go out to bid, a number that, given inflation, is relatively low. The Town Council agreed with the Charter Review Commission that tying the town minimum to reflect the state’s minimum will enforce uniformity, keep up with inflation, and ultimately save Bristol time and money.

7. Eliminating the requirement for the Capital Project Commission to meet a minimum of four times per year

“They were required to meet, even when there was no business,” said Mr. Calouro. “That didn’t seem like good business.”