Rhode Island

Land Acknowledgement

Rhode Island is the home of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. It is also the traditional homeland of many tribes.

Overview

You can register to vote by mail, online, or in person. The registration deadline is October 9. To vote, you must show an acceptable photo ID. You can still cast a provisional ballot if you do not bring an acceptable photo ID.

Key Dates

  • October 9 - Deadline to register to vote

  • October 11 - Deadline to request a mail-in ballot online

  • October 18 - Deadline to request a mail-in ballot

  • October 19 - Start of Early Voting

  • November 7 - End of Early Voting

  • November 8 - Election Day

Contacts

  • Local Board of Canvassers

  • Board of Elections: (401) 222-2345 or email boe.elections@elections.ri.gov

  • Secretary of State, Elections Division: (401) 222-2340 or email elections.sos.ri.gov

Rhode Island Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • The deadline to register to vote is October 9.

  • No.

  • You must provide a Rhode Island driver's license or State ID, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number if you do not have a Rhode Island driver's license or State ID, or you may check a box indicating that you have none of the above. You must also provide a residence address and a mailing address, if the two are different.

  • Rhode Island requires a residential address (not a P.O. Box) and a mailing address if different than your residential address.

  • You can contact your local Board of Canvassers.

  • To get a free ID that will allow you to vote, contact the Elections Division at (401) 222-2340 or email at elections@sos.ri.gov . You can also get a State ID here.

  • Yes. If you have a Rhode Island driver's license or State ID, you can register to vote online.

  • No.

  • Yes. You can fill out this application and hand it in to your local Board of Canvassers.

  • Yes. Print out this application and mail it to your local Board of Canvassers.

  • Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, you can register to vote.

  • Call your local Board of Canvassers or contact your Board of Elections at (401) 222-2345 or your Department of State's Elections Division at (401) 222-2340.

  • The deadline to register to vote is October 9.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

  • You can check your voter registration online. Call your local Board of Canvassers to check specific registration details.

  • Call your local Board of Canvassers or contact your Board of Elections at (401) 222-2345 or your Department of State's Elections Division at (401) 222-2340.

  • You can update your voter registration online here. You can also update your voter registration by re-registering by mail or in person using this application.

  • If you have not voted for several elections, you may need to re-register. Call your local Board of Canvassers or contact your Board of Elections at (401) 222-2345 or your Department of State's Elections Division at (401) 222-2340 You will likely only be listed as an inactive voter if a mailing to you has been returned to the Post Office because it was undeliverable.

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • You do not need a reason to request an absentee ballot in Rhode Island. All ballot requests must be received by October 18. Someone else can return your ballot for you. All ballots must be received by 8PM on November 8.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • You can apply for a mail-in ballot online. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot online is October 11. You can also apply for a mail-in ballot by mail or in person, by filling out this application. Mail or drop off your application to your local board of canvassers. You can also request a printed application from your local board of canvassers if you do not have a printer.

  • No.

  • Yes.

  • The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 18.

  • Rhode Island will begin mailing out ballots September 24. If you do not receive your mail-in ballot a reasonable time after you submit your application, contact the Elections Division at (401) 222-2340.

  • Your ballot will be sent to your residential address you provide on your application. If you want your ballot mailed to an address different than your residential address you must provide that mailing address on your application.

  • No.

  • Your ballot must be received by 8PM on November 8. USPS recommends you mail in your absentee ballot one week prior to the state deadline, but mail in your ballot as soon as possible.

  • Yes. You can drop your ballot off at your local board of canvassers or at any official election drop box, which can be found here.

  • Yes. There is no explicit rule about someone else returning your ballot. Rhode Island recommends that you only let someone you trust return your ballot for you.

  • No. Ballots may only be sent through USPS.

  • No.

  • Yes. If your signature on your ballot does not match the signature on file with your city or town, your ballot may be thrown out. If there is an issue, your local board of canvassers will contact you and you have until November 15 to correct a deficiency.

  • You can track your ballot here.

  • You can contact your Board of Elections at (401) 222-2345 or at boe.elections@elections.ri.gov

Voting In-Person

  • You can find your polling place and hours here.

  • No.

  • Yes. Early voting is from October 19 through November 7.

  • You must show a photo ID to vote. Acceptable photo IDs include: Rhode Island driver's license or permit; US passport; ID card issued by any federally recognized tribal government; ID card issued by an educational institution in the US; US military ID card; ID card issued by the US government or the state of Rhode Island; government issued medical card; or a Rhode Island voter ID card

  • To get a free ID that will allow you to vote, contact the Elections Division at (401) 222-2340 or email elections@sos.ri.gov. You can also get a state ID here.

  • Yes. If you do not bring an acceptable photo ID to the polls, you can cast a provisional ballot.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • If you have any questions about voting in person, you can contact your local board of canvassers.