Rhode Island General Election

You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.Rhode Island allows for same day voter registration for the Presidential Election only. If you miss the voter registration deadline, you can register to vote on Election Day, but you will only be able to vote for President and Vice President. You will not be able to vote in any state, local, or other federal races. You can only register and vote on Election Day at the location designated by your local board of canvassers.Learn more by visiting the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division website or contacting your local election office.

View official ballot information on the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division website, if available.

Department of State Elections Division148 West River St. Providence, RI 02904Telephone: (401) 222-2340

You will be asked to show photo ID when voting in person in Rhode Island.Acceptable forms of photo ID include: Rhode Island driver's license/permit Rhode Island voter ID card US passport ID issued by a school or college in the US US military ID ID issued by the US government or State of Rhode Island tribal ID government-issued medical cardIf you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be counted if the signature on your provisional ballot application matches your voter registration card. You have until the close of business the day after the election to provide information to the Board of Canvassers to help qualify your ballot.

To register in Rhode Island you must: be a United States citizen be a resident of Rhode Island and of the city or town where you wish to vote at least 30 days before the next electionbe at least 16 years of age (you must be at least 18 years old on or before a general or special election to vote)not currently be incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction not have been lawfully judged to be mentally incompetent

Check that you're registered to vote on Rhode Island's website. If you’re not registered: Register online by Oct 4. Your by mail registration form must be postmarked by Oct 4.

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.Send the application to your local election office.It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division.If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then: You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Rhode Island. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

Use the National Voter Registration FormPrint and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.Box 6 - ID Number: When submitting your form by mail in Rhode Island, you are required to provide your Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued driver’s license or State ID number, if you have one. If you have not been issued one of these ID numbers, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate NONE. The State of Rhode Island will assign a unique identifying number to you.Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you are affiliated with a political party in Rhode Island, you may only vote in that party's primary. If you are an unaffiliated voter, you must choose one party’s ballot when you vote. This will not affiliate you with a party.Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.Sign the form.Send the completed form to your local election office.If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing your registration form, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. You will also be asked to provide proof of identity that meets state law. Visit the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division website to learn more. You can also register to vote using the Rhode Island voter registration form.If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application at least one week before the registration deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.