How to vote in Rhode Island

• Register to vote (online): 30 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (by mail): Received by 30 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (in person): 30 days before Election Day

• If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Rhode Island registration using the Rhode Island voter registration lookup site.
• If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.

• You can register to vote online if you have a Rhode Island driver license, driver permit, or nondriver photo ID card.

• Visit the Rhode Island online voter registration site.
• Fill out all the required fields.
• You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
• You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
• The deadline to register to vote online is 30 days before Election Day.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your Rhode Island driver's license. If you don't have one, enter the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have either number, please write "NONE" in the box.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a politcal party if you wish to vote in that party's primary. You do not need to choose a party now, however: you can register with the party on Election Day at your polling place.
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
5. Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. Your voter registration form must be received by 30 days before Election Day.

• Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
• Bring your Rhode Island driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and Rhode Island address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online):
• Request deadline (by mail): Received by 21 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): 21 days before Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day

Rhode Island does not allow you to request your ballot online.

1. Download the Rhode Island absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. Your application must be received by 21 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 21 days before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:

  The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.

• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:

  Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected. Additionally, your voted ballot must be signed by 2 witnesses or a Notary Public.

Track your ballot here: Rhode Island absentee ballot tracker

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

• Emergency ballot request ends 4PM 1 day before Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day

Contact your local election office

• Early voting starts: 20 days before Election Day
• Early voting ends: 1 day before Election Day