Voting in Rhode Island

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Election Dates

11/07/2023
General Election Date
10/08/2023
Voter Registration Deadline (online, in-person, by mail - postmarked)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

10/17/2023
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
11/07/2023
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

Early Voting Dates

10/18/2023
Early Voting Begins
11/06/2023
Early Voting Ends

Polling place hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in Rhode Island

Learn about all the options to vote in Rhode Island to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Rhode Island Board of Elections Phone Number: (401) 222-2340

Rhode Island Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in Rhode Island

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Rhode Island.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

10/17/2023
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
11/07/2023
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

How Vote By Mail Works in Rhode Island

Voting by mail is a two step process in Rhode Island.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. You must apply directly to your local board of canvassers. The deadline for your application to be received is the third Tuesday before Election Day.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your local board of canvassers, the State Board of Elections or a designated dropbox by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Or return your ballot by mail - your ballot must be returned so that it is received by Election Day. We recommend mailing your ballot at least two weeks before as the post office is not always reliable. The best intentions or postmark will not matter if your ballot is received after Election Day - your ballot will not count.

Emergency mail-in ballot requests may be made after the application deadline, but require an event that was unknown or prevented the voter from applying earlier. Contact your local board of canvassers for more info.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After you complete your ballot, be sure to sign the voter's certification envelope.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, your postage is prepaid.

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or drop box.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

Any designated person can drop off a ballot for you.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you have an absentee ballot that you are not going to use, or you miss the deadline to return, you may go to your board of canvassers and vote in person. You will be asked to use a provisional ballot. This is better than not voting, but may not be counted.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

Rhode Island does offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot.

Your state has a cure period, which means you can “cure” a challenge to the signature on your ballot if it was done incorrectly. Your local elections office is required to contact you and give you options to remedy your ballot. You must cure your ballot by the 7th day after Election Day by 4 pm.

You may get a call from a number you do not recognize with a notification that you need to cure your ballot. Be sure to pick so you don’t miss your chance to make sure your vote is counted.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Rhode Island voters must show ID at the polls to vote. Valid forms of identification include;

Photo ID

  • RI driver’s license
  • US passport
  • ID card issued by an educational institution in the United States
  • US military identification card
  • ID card issued by the U.S. government or State of Rhode Island like a RIPTA bus pass
  • Government issued medical card
  • RI Voter ID card

Voter ID in Rhode Island

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at their address of record when they interact with certain state agencies. If you have moved, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

In-Person Absentee Voting

In-Person Absentee Dates

10/18/2023
Voting Begins
11/06/2023
Voting Ends

You can vote in-person absentee in Rhode Island

You may vote early until 4 p.m. the day before Election Day. Contact your local board of canvassers for exact locations and times.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In Rhode Island, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can not vote in the Rhode Island primaries if you are 17 by the next election.