PROVIDENCE — Following months –– if not years –– of delays, the governor yesterday announced three new nominees to the state’s Board of Elections, filling vacancies that some had said could lead to a “political crisis” in this state if not addressed.

The three nominations are: John Clarke, of West Warwick; Martin E. Joyce Jr., of Cumberland, and Richard H. Pierce, of Cranston. Their appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Clarke is the owner and president of The Insurance Store Inc., according to his resumé. He also serves as the parliamentarian for the Rhode Island Republican Party and is a former member of the West Warwick Canvassing Board. In 2006, Clarke ran unsuccessfully against Senate Finance Chairman Stephen D. Alves for his District 9 seat in West Warwick. His Board of Elections term would expire in 2013.

Joyce is a former director of personnel for the City of Pawtucket and before that, personnel director in Central Falls. In recent years, he has served as an investigator on the state Labor Relations Board and as a consumer protection investigator with the attorney general’s office, according to the governor’s spokesman. Joyce’s term would expire in 2017.

Pierce, a lawyer with the Providence firm Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, is a former Cranston City Council member and a past Cranston School Committee member, spokesman Jeff Neal said. Pierce has twice previously been nominated to the Boards of Elections, but was never confirmed by the Senate prompting the governor to withdraw his name on both occasions. Pierce’s term would expire in 2021.

In a letter to Governor Carcieri last month, Common Cause executive director Christine Lopes said the organization was “gravely concerned that if appointments to fill three vacancies are not submitted immediately for Senate confirmation, a major political crisis faces Rhode Island.”

Member Judith Bailey resigned in 2005; Roger Begin departed in 2006; and Thomas V. Iannitti turned in his resignation in March, according to executive director Robert Kando.

Until yesterday, Governor Carcieri had not filled any of the three seats, despite a law that dictates that he must appoint replacements within 30 days.

Last month, Kando said if a fourth member, Florence Gormley, resigns as expected this summer, the board would be unable to convene a four-member quorum that is necessary to oversee and administer elections and certify the results of primary and general elections.

cneedham@projo.com