What the RI Department of State Says Is In (and Out) for Rhode Island in 2026

Every January brings its fair share of bold predictions, lofty resolutions, and promises to become a brand-new person by February. But this year, Rhode Island is taking a slightly different approach. Instead of chasing reinvention, 2026 is shaping up to be about participation, attention, and showing up where it counts.

The Rhode Island Department of State recently shared its own “What’s In and Out” list for the year ahead, and it struck a chord. Not because it was flashy, but because it felt refreshingly grounded. Think less trend cycle, more community check-in.

What’s in for 2026? Supporting small businesses tops the list, and not just during the holidays. Rhode Islanders are doubling down on shopping local year-round, keeping dollars circulating close to home. Civic engagement is also having a moment, from voting in local elections to volunteering, attending town meetings, and staying informed through trusted sources. Exploring Rhode Island history is back in a big way too, especially as America 250 approaches and conversations about our state’s role in the country’s founding continue to grow.

Equally important is what’s quietly falling out of favor. Scams and misinformation are on the way out, along with the belief that one person’s voice doesn’t matter. In a state this small, it does. Every vote, conversation, and decision shows up faster here. There’s no hiding behind anonymity when your neighbor is also your city councilor, barista, or kid’s soccer coach.

What makes this shift feel especially Rhode Island is scale. Civic life here isn’t abstract. It happens at farmers markets, school committee meetings, historic taverns, libraries, and community centers. Participation doesn’t require a grand gesture. It can look like volunteering an afternoon, learning something new about your town’s past, or choosing to get involved instead of tuning out.

As 2026 unfolds, the takeaway is simple. This is a year for paying attention. For supporting what’s local, questioning what we hear, and remembering that community doesn’t run itself.