Rhode Island elections, 2014

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Seal of Rhode Island.svg.png
2015
2013




Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island held elections in 2014. Below are the dates of note:

2014 elections and events in Rhode Island
State House special election (primary) January 21, 2014 Red padlock.png
State House special election (runoff) February 25, 2014 Red padlock.png
Filing deadline for all candidates June 25, 2014 Red padlock.png
Deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers to run for office July 1, 2014 Red padlock.png
Voter registration deadline for primary election August 10, 2014 Red padlock.png
Primary election date September 9, 2014 Red padlock.png
Voter registration deadline for general election October 5, 2014 Red padlock.png
General election date November 4, 2014 Red padlock.png
Statewide ballot measures November 4, 2014 Red padlock.png
School board elections (2) November 4, 2014 Red padlock.png

Below are the types of elections that were scheduled in Rhode Island in 2014:

On the 2014 ballot
Find current election news and links here.
U.S. Senate Scheduled electiona
U.S. House Scheduled electiona
State Executives Scheduled electiona
State Senate Scheduled electiona
State House Scheduled electiona
Statewide ballot measures (7 measure) Scheduled electiona
Local ballot measures Unscheduled electiond
School boards Scheduled electiona

2014 elections[edit]

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Races to watch in Rhode Island[edit]

Rhode Island State Legislature


See also: Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2014 and Rhode Island House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014. Heading into the election, the Democratic Party controlled the chamber. The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6, 2012, general election.

Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014. Heading into the election, the Democratic Party controlled the chamber. The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6, 2012, general election.

Elections by type[edit]

U.S. Senate[edit]

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U.S. Senate elections in Rhode Island[edit]

See also: United States Senate elections in Rhode Island, 2014 and United States Senate elections, 2014

Voters in Rhode Island elected one member to the U.S. Senate in the election on November 4, 2014.

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
June 25, 2014
September 9, 2014
November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election.

Rhode Island utilizes a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters may vote in a party's primary without affiliating with that party. Voters that are affiliated with a party at the time of the primary election may only vote in that party's primary.[1][2][3]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by August 10, 2014. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 5, 2014 (30 days prior to the election).[4]

See also: Rhode Island elections, 2014

Incumbent: The election filled the Senate seat held by Jack Reed (D). Reed was first elected in 1996.

Candidates[edit]


General election candidates

Withdrew from race

Declined to run

Election results[edit]

U.S. Senate, Rhode Island General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJack Reed Incumbent 70.6% 223,675
     Republican Mark Zaccaria 29.2% 92,684
     N/A Write-in 0.2% 539
Total Votes 316,898
Source: Rhode Island Board of Elections

Race background[edit]


Democratic incumbent Jack Reed was first elected to the Senate in 1996, and he won re-election in 2002 and 2008.[7] No Republican has been elected to Reed’s Senate seat since 1930, and he was considered to be safe for re-election in 2014.

A Public Policy Poll released February 1, 2013, showed Reed in excellent standing for re-election in 2014. In addition to high job performance approval ratings, respondents said they would vote for Reed over all five potential Republican challengers included in the survey, with Reed winning by a minimum of 29 points against Brendan Doherty and a maximum of 65 points against Curt Schilling.

The results prompted Dean Debna, the President of Public Policy Polling, to say that, "Jack Reed may very well be the least vulnerable Senator in the country up for re-election next year."[7]

U.S. House[edit]

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U.S. House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island[edit]

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island, 2014 and United States House of Representatives elections, 2014

The 2014 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island took place on November 4, 2014. Voters elected two candidates to serve in the U.S. House, one from each of the state's two congressional districts.

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
June 25, 2014
September 9, 2014
November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election.

Rhode Island utilizes a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters may vote in a party's primary without affiliating with that party. Voters that are affiliated with a party at the time of the primary election may only vote in that party's primary.[8][9][10]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by August 10, 2014. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 5, 2014 (30 days prior to the election).[11]

See also: Rhode Island elections, 2014


Partisan breakdown[edit]


Heading into the November 4 election, the Democratic Party held both of the two congressional seats from Rhode Island.

Members of the U.S. House from Rhode Island -- Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 2014 After the 2014 Election
     Democratic Party 2 2
     Republican Party 0 0
Total 2 2

Incumbents[edit]


Heading into the 2014 election, the incumbents for the two congressional districts were:

Name Party District
David Cicilline Electiondot.png Democratic 1
James R. Langevin Electiondot.png Democratic 2

List of candidates by district[edit]


1st Congressional District[edit]

General election candidates


September 9, 2014, primary results

Democratic Party Democratic Primary

Republican Party Republican Primary

Failed to file


U.S. House, Rhode Island District 1 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Cicilline Incumbent 59.5% 87,060
     Republican Cormick Lynch 40.2% 58,877
     N/A Write-in 0.3% 416
Total Votes 146,353
Source: Rhode Island Board of Elections

2nd Congressional District[edit]

General election candidates

Failed to file


U.S. House, Rhode Island District 2 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJames R. Langevin Incumbent 62.2% 105,716
     Republican Rhue Reis 37.6% 63,844
     N/A Write-in 0.2% 344
Total Votes 169,904
Source: Rhode Island Board of Elections

State Executives[edit]

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State executive official elections in Rhode Island[edit]

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See also: Rhode Island state executive official elections, 2014 and State executive official elections, 2014

Five state executive positions were up for election in 2014 in the state of Rhode Island.

The following offices were elected in 2014 in Rhode Island:

List of candidates by office[edit]

Governor[edit]


General election[edit]

Democratic Party Gina Raimondo - State Treasurer[19][20]Green check mark transparent.png
Republican Party Allan Fung - Mayor of Cranston[21][22]
Moderate Party Robert Healey - Moderate Party candidate[23]
Grey.png Kate Fletcher[24]
Grey.png Leon Kayarian[24]

Withdrawn or removed from ballot[edit]

Grey.png Thomas Davis[25]
Grey.png Christopher Reynolds[24]
Moderate Party James Spooner - Moderate Party candidate[24]
Grey.png Anna Winograd Vrankar - Compassion Party candidate[24]

Lost in primary[edit]

Democratic Party Angel Taveras - Mayor of Providence[26]
Democratic Party Todd Giroux - 2010 Independent candidate for governor[27]
Democratic Party Clay Pell - U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education[28]
Republican Party Ken Block - Founder and former head of the Rhode Island Moderate Party[29]

Declined[edit]

Democratic Party Lincoln Chafee - Incumbent[30]
Democratic Party Ernest Almonte - Former State Auditor[31][32]
Republican Party Scott Avedisian - Mayor of Warwick[22][33]
Republican Party Brendan Doherty - Former state police superintendent and 2012 Republican nominee for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District
Republican Party John Robitaille - 2010 candidate for governor[34][35]

Lieutenant Governor[edit]


General election[edit]

Democratic Party Daniel McKee - Cumberland Mayor[36]Green check mark transparent.png
Republican Party Catherine Terry Taylor - former speechwriter and 2010 candidate for Secretary of State[37]
Libertarian Party Tony Jones[38]
Grey.png Thomas David Gallant - Constitutionalist Party candidate[24]
Grey.png William Gilbert - Moderate Party candidate[24]

Lost in primary[edit]

Democratic Party Ralph Mollis - Secretary of State[39]
Democratic Party Frank Ferri - State representative[40]
Republican Party Kara Young[41]

Declined[edit]

Democratic Party Joshua Miller - State Senator[42]

Attorney General[edit]


General election[edit]

Democratic Party Peter Kilmartin - IncumbentGreen check mark transparent.png
Republican Party Dawson Hodgson - State Senator[43]

Secretary of State[edit]


General election[edit]

Democratic Party Nellie Gorbea - Former Deputy Secretary of State[44]Green check mark transparent.png
Republican Party John Carlevale[24]
Grey.png Pamela Azar[24]

Lost in primary[edit]

Democratic Party Guillaume de Ramel - Newport businessman[45]

Declined[edit]

Democratic Party Terry Hassett - Providence City Councilor[46]
Democratic Party Ed Pacheco - Former state representative and state Democratic Party chairman[47][48]

Down ballot offices[edit]


Office Incumbent Assumed Office Incumbent running? General Election Candidates 2015 Winner Partisan Switch?
General Treasurer Gina Raimondo
GinaRaimondo.jpg
2011 No Democratic Party Seth Magaziner
Independent Ernest Almonte
Democratic Party Seth Magaziner No


State Senate[edit]

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State Senate election in Rhode Island[edit]

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See also: Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2014 and State legislative elections, 2014

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014.

Majority control[edit]

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 4 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Rhode Island State Senate:

Rhode Island State Senate
Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014
     Democratic Party 32 32
     Republican Party 5 5
     Independent 1 1
Total 38 38

List of candidates by district[edit]

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35District 36District 37District 38

State House[edit]

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State House elections in Rhode Island[edit]

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See also: Rhode Island House of Representatives elections, 2014 State legislative special elections, 2014 and State legislative elections, 2014

There were both regular elections and special elections scheduled for the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2014.

Regularly scheduled elections[edit]


Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014.

Majority control[edit]

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 4 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Rhode Island House of Representatives:

Rhode Island House of Representatives
Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014
     Democratic Party 69 63
     Republican Party 6 11
     Independent 0 1
Total 75 75

List of candidates by district[edit]

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35District 36District 37District 38District 39District 40District 41District 42District 43District 44District 45District 46District 47District 48District 49District 50District 51District 52District 53District 54District 55District 56District 57District 58District 59District 60District 61District 62District 63District 64District 65District 66District 67District 68District 69District 70District 71District 72District 73District 74District 75

Special elections by date[edit]


February 25, 2014 runoff[edit]



Statewide ballot measures[edit]

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Statewide ballot measure elections in Rhode Island[edit]

See also: Rhode Island 2014 ballot measures and 2014 ballot measures

Seven statewide ballot measures were certified for the 2014 ballot in the state of Rhode Island.

On the ballot[edit]


November 4:

Type Title Subject Description Result
LRSS Question 1 Gambling Authorizes casino gaming at the Newport Grand facility in Newport Defeatedd
LRCA Question 2 Gambling Prohibits changes in location of gambling without the approval of electors Approveda
ABR Question 3 Con Cons Dictates whether or not Rhode Island holds a constitutional convention Defeatedd
BI Question 4 Bonds Permits the issuance of a bond of $125 million to construct a new College of Engineering building Approveda
BI Question 5 Bonds Permits the issuance of a bond of $35 million to fund artistic, historic and cultural centers Approveda
BI Question 6 Bonds Permits the issuance of $35 million in bonds to fund enhancements and renovations to mass transit hub infrastructure Approveda
BI Question 7 Bonds Permits the issuance of $53 million in bonds for environmental and recreational purposes Approveda


School boards[edit]

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School board elections in Rhode Island[edit]

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See also: List of school board elections in 2014 and Rhode Island school board elections, 2014

In 2014, 670 of America's largest school districts held elections for 2,188 seats. These elections took place in 37 states.

State elections[edit]


A total of two Rhode Island school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment held elections in 2014 for 10 seats. Each district held elections on November 4, 2014.

Here are several quick facts about Rhode Island's school board elections in 2014:

  • An average of 1.70 candidates ran for each board seat up for election in 2014 in Rhode Island’s largest school districts by enrollment, which was lower than the national average of 1.89 candidates per seat.
  • 30 percent of the school board seats on the ballot in 2014 were unopposed. This was a lower percentage than the 32.57 percent of school board seats that were unopposed nationally.
SBE 2014 RI word graphic.png
  • 80 percent of the incumbents whose seats were on the ballot ran for re-election in 2014, and they all successfully retained their seats.
  • Two newcomers were elected to school boards in Rhode Island. They took 20 percent of the total seats in 2014, which was lower than the 38.19 percent of school board seats that went to newcomers nationally.
  • The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2014 was Cranston Public Schools with 10,653 K-12 students.
  • The smallest school district by enrollment with an election in 2014 was Warwick Public Schools with 10,174 K-12 students.
  • Cranston Public Schools had the most seats on the ballot in 2014 with seven seats up for election.
  • Warwick Public Schools had the fewest seats on the ballot in 2014 with three seats up for election.

The districts listed below served 20,827 K-12 students during the 2010-2011 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.[55] Click on the district names for more information on each district and its school board elections.

2014 Rhode Island School Board Elections
District Date Seats up for election Total board seats Student enrollment
Cranston Public Schools 11/4/2014 7 7 10,653
Warwick Public Schools 11/4/2014 3 5 10,174



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Voting in Rhode Island[edit]

See also: Voting in Rhode Island

Important voting information[edit]

  • A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election.

Rhode Island utilizes a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters may vote in a party's primary without affiliating with that party. Voters that are affiliated with a party at the time of the primary election may only vote in that party's primary.[56][57][58]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

  • Rhode Island does not permit online voter registration.

Voting absentee[edit]

See also: Absentee voting by state

For information about eligibility, deadlines, military and overseas voting and updates to the voting laws in Rhode Island, please visit our absentee voting by state page.

Voting early[edit]

See also: Early voting

Rhode Island is one of 14 states that do not have any form of early voting.[59]

Elections Performance Index[edit]

See also: Pew Charitable Trusts' Elections Performance Index

Rhode Island ranked 23rd out of the 50 states and District of Columbia in the Pew Charitable Trusts' Elections Performance Index (EPI), based on the 2012 elections. The EPI examined election administration performance and assigned an average percentage score based on 17 indicators of election performance. These indicators were chosen in order to determine both the convenience and integrity of these three phases of an election: registration, voting and counting. Rhode Island received an overall score of 66 percent.[60]

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 22, 2024
  2. Bill Track 50, "RI H7662," accessed July 21, 2024
  3. State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 17–9.1-23 ," accessed July 22, 2024
  4. Rhode Island Secretary of State Website, "Register to Vote," accessed January 3, 2014
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates for Senator in Congress," accessed June 25, 2014 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "run" defined multiple times with different content
  6. Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates for Senator in Congress," accessed July 18, 2014
  7. 7.0 7.1 Public Policy Polling, "Senator Reed with Large Lead Over Republicans," February 1, 2013
  8. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 22, 2024
  9. Bill Track 50, "RI H7662," accessed July 21, 2024
  10. State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 17–9.1-23 ," accessed July 22, 2024
  11. Rhode Island Secretary of State Website, "Register to Vote," accessed January 3, 2014
  12. 12.0 12.1 Associated Press, "Rhode Island - Summary Vote Results," accessed September 9, 2014
  13. Providence Journal, "Republican Cormick Lynch mounts challenge for Rep. Cicilline’s seat in Congress," accessed April 24, 2014
  14. Providence Journal, "Cumberland man announces run for Congress in R.I.'s 1st District," accessed September 11, 2013
  15. Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates for Representative In Congress District 1," accessed August 21, 2014
  16. Providence Journal, "Newcomer Republican Reis to challenge Democrat incumbent Rep. Langevin," accessed January 25, 2014
  17. Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates for Representative In Congress District 2," accessed June 25, 2014
  18. Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates for Representative In Congress District 1," accessed August 21, 2014
  19. The Associated Press, "RI Gov. Chafee open to running for 2nd term as Dem," December 14, 2012
  20. Public Policy Polling, "Chafee unpopular; Rhode Island voters support gay marriage," January 31, 2013
  21. GoLocal Providence, "Cranston Mayor Allan Fung: 13 To Watch in RI in 2013," January 1, 2013
  22. 22.0 22.1 WPRI TV, "Fung, Robitaille, Block may run for gov against Dems, Chafee," August 7, 2012
  23. Facebook, "Robert J. Healey for Governor, accessed September 15, 2014
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 24.8 Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates," accessed June 27, 2014
  25. Thomas Davis for Governor of RI, "About," January 28, 2014
  26. Rhode Island Public Radio, "Angel Taveras hires top Washington, D.C. firm to plan governor race," March 22, 2013
  27. GoLocalProv, "The Scoop: Giroux to Run for Gov, RI Tea Party Talks Obamacare," October 4, 2013
  28. GoLocalProv, "Clay Pell Looks To Run For Governor in 2014," October 15, 2013
  29. WPRI, "Ken Block to run for governor in '14," May 21, 2013
  30. Governing Politics, "2013-2014 Governor's Races: Who's Vulnerable?" December 11, 2012
  31. governor-in-2014/ WPRI "Let the games begin – Almonte files to run for governor in 2014," accessed May 15, 2012
  32. WPRI, "Ernie Almonte abandons campaign for governor to run for RI treasurer," May 16, 2013
  33. Rhode Island Public Radio, "Avedisian Says He's Not Considering Gov's Office Following Chafee's Stunner," September 5, 2013
  34. WPRI, "Republican Robitaille eyeing 2014 governor's race," August 5, 2013
  35. Boston.com, "Robitaille says no plans to run for RI governor," October 18, 2013 (dead link)
  36. Rhode Island Public Radio, "McKee Organizes in Race for Lieutenant Governor," July 25, 2013
  37. Rhode Island Public Radio, "Catherine Taylor Joins Race for Lieutenant Governor," June 10, 2014
  38. Libertarian Party of Rhode Island, "2014 Candidates," accessed June 19, 2014
  39. Rhode Island Public Radio, "Mollis Intends to Run For Lieutenant Governor in 2014," July 29, 2013
  40. Ferri Lt Governor, "Home," accessed June 19, 2014
  41. Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates," accessed September 9, 2014
  42. Rhode Island Public Radio, "Josh Miller Decides Against 2014 Run for Lieutenant Governor," July 22, 2013
  43. North Kingston Patch, "Hodgson Considers Running For AG," September 26, 2013
  44. Providence Journal, "Nellie Gorbea resigning post at HousingWorks RI to run for secretary of state," July 25, 2013
  45. WPRI, "Democrat de Ramel to run for Secretary of State in 2014," January 24, 2013
  46. Rhode Island Public Radio, "Hassett Throws Support in Secretary of State Race to Pacheco," May 23, 2013
  47. WPRI, "Former Rep. Ed Pacheco running for secretary of state," April 22, 2013
  48. Providence Journal, "Democrat Edwin Pacheco drops out of race for R.I. secretary of state," October 12, 2013
  49. boston.com, "Woonsocket to hold special legislative primary," January 18, 2014(Archived)
  50. Providence Journal, "Morin defeats 2 primary challengers to gain hold on Woonsocket House seat," January 21, 2014
  51. ctpost.com, "Morin wins Woonsocket election for RI House seat," February 26, 2014(Archived)
  52. Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Official Primary election results," accessed March 26, 2014
  53. ripr.org, "Baldelli-Hunt To Be Inaugurated As New Mayor Of Woonsocket," December 3, 2013
  54. turnto10.com, "State sets special election for Woonsocket House seat," December 4, 2013
  55. National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed March 21, 2014
  56. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 22, 2024
  57. Bill Track 50, "RI H7662," accessed July 21, 2024
  58. State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 17–9.1-23 ," accessed July 22, 2024
  59. National Conference of State Legislatures "Absentee and Early Voting," accessed December 16, 2013
  60. Pew Charitable Trusts, "Election Performance Index Report," accessed April 23, 2014

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