A. Ralph Mollis - Official Biography

A. Ralph Mollis was elected Secretary of State on November 7, 2006. Immediately after taking office, Secretary Mollis began implementing initiatives to make government more open, make it easier for Rhode Islanders to vote, help businesses grow and make government more open and accessible.

Just three weeks into his term, Rhode Island became the first state in the country and third government in the world to implement an online Apostille Registry. The Mollis administration has also introduced e-commerce tools for businesses, made public records more accessible, broke the state record for voter registrations and set a new record for turnout in a primary and in a general election.

His “Voters First” initiative explored innovative ways to improve the way Rhode Islanders vote through a series of public hearings and workshops. His election reform legislative agenda includes bills that call for early voting, Voter ID and cleaning up the voting rolls.

Secretary Mollis is also active on the national level. He is in his second term on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Secretary of States and Vice President for the Eastern Region. In addition, he serves as co-chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State and is one of the organization's two appointments to the Democratic National Committee.

Before being sworn in as Secretary of State, he served as Mayor of North Providence for 10 years.  As Mayor, Secretary Mollis was described as a hands-on, business-oriented leader with a long-range vision for his community.  He was also recognized as a statewide leader on municipal and state issues and served as President of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns from 2003-2004.

In his 10 years as Mayor, Secretary Mollis was recognized for improving the town’s finances and public education. His financial stewardship was noted by Standard & Poor’s, among others, when the rating agency upgraded North Providence’s Bond Rating, writing, “(t)he town’s financial operations are sound… and...  the town is on track to close with its sixth consecutive surplus...”

North Providence also completed an impressive ‘Main Street’ Revitalization Program,” built a state-of-the-art senior center and developed an outstanding school system under his leadership. Two new middle schools were opened in 2002, millions of dollars of improvements were made to the elementary schools and a newly renovated high school received accreditation and national recognition as a shining example of outstanding secondary education.

Secretary Mollis is the son of Joseph and Gloria Mollis, Jr. His interest in public service was sparked by his father's active involvement in local and state government and politics as well as within his community. At the request of former Rhode Island Gov. J. Joseph Garrahy, the Secretary’s father co-authored a book on state government similar to the Government Owner’s Manual that is published by his son’s office today. 

Secretary Mollis is a graduate of North Providence High School and New Hampshire’s St. Anselm College, where his interest in public service intensified. He also attended Southern New England School of Law before leaving to begin his professional career in finance with LAMCO Pension and Investment Advisory Firm. Simultaneously serving as Town Councilman from 1986-1996, Secretary Mollis rose to Vice President/Director of Office Operations of LAMCO and was responsible for the operation of its New York, New Jersey and Atlanta offices as well as its I.B.E.W. Annuity and Pension Plans. 

Secretary Mollis served as Town Council President in 1993–1994 and  became Mayor of North Providence in January of 1997. He was re-elected convincingly in 2000 and 2004, having never lost a single local polling precinct.

Secretary Mollis has been recognized with numerous awards and continues to serve on a number of statewide and community organizations. Secretary Mollis looks to make his tenure as Rhode Island’s Secretary of State one of accomplishment and integrity.