Rhode Island ballot initiative

Among the odder ballot initiatives to become voted upon at the time of the November elections in United States was one in Rhode Island. Some citizens there (possibly some 5% of them are the required number) felt that the more flowery name of Rhode Island should be changed. Apparently since early times the full name of Rhode Island included the additional phrase "and Providence Plantations" . Although rarely ever used, such long form name was still on the books. The efforts to change the name was unsuccessful, however. The majority of Rhode Islanders still liked their quirky addition, it seems.