2024 RHODE ISLAND VOTER GUIDE
1.Voter Registration
Deadline to Register/Update: October 6, 2024
In-Person Registration available on Election Day (at Local Election Office)
2. Check Your Registration
Why check your registration? Your address is where election officials send notices, application forms to receive your ballot in the mail, and more. Additionally, poll workers will check if the address on your voter registration matches the address on your ID at the polls.
Check/Update Your Registration Online
Checklist:
- Is your name spelled correctly? (Correct hyphenations, middle initials, etc)
- Correct Address
- Active Voter Status (if not update by sending in another online/mail voter application)
- Correct Date of Birth
- Correct Political Party Preference
- Take a time-stamped photograph or screenshot of your registration, and take it with you to the polls as proof of your registration.
3. Voter ID Law
Source: Ballotpedia
Rhode Island requires voters to present photo identification (ID) while voting. Accepted forms of ID include a Rhode Island driver’s license, Rhode Island voter ID card, and U.S. passport. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.
The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Rhode Island Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
- RI Driver’s License or Permit
- RI Voter ID Card *
- U.S. Passport
- ID issued by a U.S. educational institution
- U.S. military ID
- ID card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island
- Government issued medical card
- Tribal ID
The Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office is issuing free voter photo ID cards to individuals who do not possess any of the valid Photo IDs listed above. For additional information, visit Rhode Island’s online Voter Information Center, call 401-222-2340, or email elections@sos.ri.gov.
4. Order Your Absentee Mail Ballot
Deadline to apply for Absentee Mail Ballot: Must be postmarked by October 15, 2024
We recommend requesting your absentee mail ballot as soon as possible and well in advance of this deadline in order to ensure that you receive your ballot in time.
Request Absentee Mail Ballot Online
Track Absentee Mail Ballot Online
You may hand deliver your mail ballot to Board of Elections OR any secure 24-hour drop box location. Find a mail ballot drop box near you: https://elections.ri.gov/elections/dropboxes/index.php
Deadline to return Mail Ballot: Must be received by 8:00 PM on November 5, 2024
Surrendering your Absentee Ballot:
Rhode Island has a Surrender Rule. If you have a desire to vote in person on Election Day but you are registered to vote via mail ballot, then you should bring your ballot to surrender and then vote in person using an official ballot.
But if you do not have your absentee ballot to surrender, there does not seem to be an electronic poll book that will allow you to vote with an official ballot, and you will be forced to vote with a provisional ballot.
A person who requested an absentee ballot may also vote on Election Day if that voter signs and submits an affidavit to the local Board stating that the voter did not receive the mail ballot, or that the mail ballot was lost or destroyed. (Provisional)
Provisional Ballot Rules
Who is allowed to vote a provisional ballot?
- A voter whose name is not on the precinct voting list or the master voting list for the
- Polling Place and the voter does not qualify for the "Affirmation" process.
- The voter’s identity has been challenged by an election official.
- The voter has not presented identification as required.
- The precinct voting list indicates the voter has applied for a mail or emergency ballot.
5. Early Voting Information
Early voting is available from October 16 – November 4, 2024 at your city or town hall or at a designated location during regular business hours.
- Any registered voter who is unable to vote at their polling place on Election Day has the option to Vote Early at their local board of canvassers or designated location during the 20 days leading to Election Day.
- View voting locations and hours in your community: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/forms/elections/VoteHours/HoursEng/HoursEng.html
- Accessible Voters – visit our Accessible and Voting Assistance pagefor additional information on using the ExpressVote during the Early Voting period: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Voter/AccessibleVoting
- Contact your local board of canvassers for complete information. Find your local board here: https://elections.ri.gov/canvassers/
6. Become a Poll Worker!
Poll workers must be 16 years old or over, and a registered voter (if over 18) in their county.
To sign up, visit: https://elections.ri.gov/pollworkers/index.php