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DState Representative · District 65
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: Rhode Island House District 65
Matthew Dawson is a Democratic state representative who has represented Rhode Island House of Representatives District 65 since January 3, 2023 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2] He is an attorney and former probate judge in East Providence.[1]
Dawson lives in Riverside, Rhode Island, and graduated from East Providence High School in 1986.[1] He earned a B.A. in political science, government, and journalism from the University of Rhode Island in 1990 and a J.D. from the New England School of Law in 1995.[1] His career includes work as an attorney in private practice, as a prosecutor for the Rhode Island attorney general's office, and as a probate judge in East Providence.[1]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Matthew Dawson is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Rhode Island House District 65 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- WEATHER-RELATED LOSSES
Provides a framework through which the department of business regulation can seek grants to fund a home hardening program.
May 5, 2026 · Passed 62–11 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MUNICIPAL POLICE ARBITRATION
Extends provisions of an existing collective bargaining agreement for municipal police arbitration purposes until a successor agreement is reached or an interest arbitration award is rendered.
Jun 3, 2026 · Passed 61–8 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND LIFE SCIENCE HUB ACT
Amends the compositions of the Rhode Island life science hub board of directors and amends the I-195 redevelopment district commission and provides additional amendments to the powers and duties of the commission.
Jun 10, 2026 · Passed 66–4 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT
Provides technical amendments relating to comprehensive planning and land use, subdivision of land, zoning ordinances and low- and moderate-income housing.
May 14, 2026 · Passed 57–12 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- WEATHER-RELATED LOSSES
Provides a framework through which the department of business regulation can seek grants to fund a home hardening program.
May 5, 2026 · Passed 62–11 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE AND SALE
Allows for sending of the notice under power of sale and rights of active military servicemembers by USPS First Class Mail and/or an overnight delivery service, instead of by USPS certified mail return receipt requested.
Apr 28, 2026 · Passed 60–9 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES
Exempts certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing registration plate.
May 5, 2026 · Passed 63–9 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES
Creates a special motor vehicle registration plate for The Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame.
Jun 4, 2026 · Passed 66–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY
Provides that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement as prima facie evidence that a lessee was the vehicle operator.
Jun 9, 2026 · Passed 69–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING BENCHMARKING AND REPORTING ACT OF 2026
Establishes a program for the energy and water benchmarking of large buildings in Rhode Island and a standard for their energy performance.
May 26, 2026 · Passed 48–15 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY
Authorizes the department of environmental management to enter into leases of up to forty (40) years at State Pier #9 in Newport, Chase Marina in Tiverton, and all other ports and marine facilities owned and operated by the department.
Jun 11, 2026 · Passed 70–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.
Jun 9, 2026 · Passed 57–14 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND LIFE SCIENCE HUB ACT
Amends the compositions of the Rhode Island life science hub board of directors and amends the I-195 redevelopment district commission and provides additional amendments to the powers and duties of the commission.
Jun 10, 2026 · Passed 66–4 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES
Prohibits ICE employees, agents or officials from being within two hundred feet (200 ft) of any polling place during voting.
Jun 10, 2026 · Passed 58–13 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act.
Jun 10, 2026 · Passed 63–9 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 0 of 9 party-divided votes on file.
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING BENCHMARKING AND REPORTING ACT OF 2026
With most of their party · Passed 48–15 · Yes 47–No 15 · Democrats 47–4, Republicans 0–10
May 26, 2026Official record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
With most of their party · Passed 57–14 · Yes 56–No 14 · Democrats 56–4, Republicans 0–9
Jun 9, 2026Official record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES
With most of their party · Passed 58–13 · Yes 57–No 13 · Democrats 56–3, Republicans 0–10
Jun 10, 2026Official record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT
With most of their party · Passed 57–12 · Yes 56–No 12 · Democrats 56–3, Republicans 0–9
May 14, 2026Official record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- WEATHER-RELATED LOSSES
With most of their party · Passed 62–11 · Yes 61–No 11 · Democrats 60–1, Republicans 0–10
May 5, 2026Official record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES
With most of their party · Passed 63–9 · Yes 62–No 9 · Democrats 60–0, Republicans 1–9
May 5, 2026Official record ↗
AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE AND SALE
With most of their party · Passed 60–9 · Yes 59–No 9 · Democrats 57–2, Republicans 1–7
Apr 28, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 63–9 · Yes 62–No 9 · Democrats 59–1, Republicans 2–8
Jun 10, 2026Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: IN CONCURRENCE
Allows for sending of the notice under power of sale and rights of active military servicemembers by USPS First Class Mail and/or an overnight delivery service, instead of by USPS certified mail return receipt requested.
Motion: PASSAGE
Authorizes the department of environmental management to enter into leases of up to forty (40) years at State Pier #9 in Newport, Chase Marina in Tiverton, and all other ports and marine facilities owned and operated by the department.
Motion: PASSAGE
Amends the compositions of the Rhode Island life science hub board of directors and amends the I-195 redevelopment district commission and provides additional amendments to the powers and duties of the commission.
Motion: PASSAGE
Prohibits ICE employees, agents or officials from being within two hundred feet (200 ft) of any polling place during voting.
Motion: PASSAGE
Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act.
Motion: PASSAGE
Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.
Motion: PASSAGE
Provides that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement as prima facie evidence that a lessee was the vehicle operator.
Motion: PASSAGE
Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Amos House, provided it remains a qualified tax-exempt corporation pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Motion: PASSAGE
Amends chapter 44 of title 34 to establish energy storage systems on certain lands consistent with a municipality's comprehensive plan.
Motion: PASSAGE
Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Community MusicWorks located in the city of Providence.
Showing 10 of 22 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.