How to Vote in Rhode Island’s 2024 Elections
Important dates and election information
- Deadline to register to vote: Sunday, Oct. 6
- Last day to request a mail ballot: Tuesday, Oct. 15, by 4 p.m.
- Deadline to return a mail ballot: Tuesday, Nov. 5, by 8 p.m.
- Early voting and emergency mail ballot period: Wednesday, Oct. 16, through Monday, Nov. 4
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a glance
- Voter registration: Check your registration status using Rhode Island’s voter information portal.
- Mail voting: All registered voters can vote by mail without a reason.
- Early voting: You can vote early and in person at a location designated by your city or town.
- Voting at the polls: A photo ID is required. Otherwise, you’ll receive a provisional ballot.
Recent voting changes in Rhode Island
Registered voters can now request a mail ballot using the state’s online portal and vote using a mail ballot without a reason. Signatures of two witnesses or a notary on mail ballots are no longer needed. Also, long-term residents of nursing facilities can be placed on a permanent mail ballot list and automatically receive a mail ballot application each election.
How to register to vote
Register online, by mail or in person by Sunday, Oct. 6. Registrations that are mailed must be postmarked by Sunday, Oct. 6, but received by Friday, Oct. 11.
- Online: Go to Rhode Island’s voter information portal to register, update your information or check your registration status. Provide your Rhode Island driver’s license or state ID number and your date of birth.
- By mail: Download and print a registration form, complete it and mail it to your local board of canvassers. Or call your board of canvassers to request a form. You can also pick up a form at state agencies that provide public assistance or services for people who are disabled.
- In person: Download and complete a registration form, then bring it to your local board of canvassers, the secretary of state’s office or the state board of elections office. You can also pick up a registration form at those locations.
You’ll automatically be registered to vote at a Division of Motor Vehicles appointment unless you opt out.
Registering to vote on Election Day
You can register to vote on Election Day, but you can vote only for president and vice president. Contact your local board of canvassers for same-day registration locations.
Check your voter registration status
You can check your registration status using Rhode Island’s voter information portal.
How to request a mail ballot
A mail ballot application must be received by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Any registered voter can request a mail ballot without a reason.
- Online: Go to Rhode Island’s mail ballot application portal and follow the prompts. You’ll need your Rhode Island driver’s license or state ID number and your date of birth.
- By mail: Download a mail ballot application from the secretary of state’s website. Or call your local board of canvassers and ask that an application be mailed to you.
- In person: Bring your completed application to your local board of canvassers.
If an emergency will prevent you from voting in person on Election Day, you can apply for an emergency mail ballot from your local board of canvassers starting Wednesday, Oct. 16, until Monday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m.
Returning a mail ballot
You must sign the mail ballot certificate envelope.
- By mail: Place your signed mail ballot certificate envelope in the larger, pre-addressed, postage-paid return envelope, seal it and mail it to the state board of elections. Officials advise allowing seven mailing days to ensure it is received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- In person: Hand-deliver your sealed envelope to the state board of elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Dropbox: Place your sealed envelope in any ballot drop box location by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Drop box locations can be found here or use the drop box locator.
Track your ballot at the state’s voter information portal.
Voting in person before Election Day
You can vote early and in person from Wednesday, Oct. 16, through Monday, Nov. 4, at your local board of canvassers or a location designated by your city or town. Check the secretary of state’s website for a list of early voting information, locations and hours.
You will need to show a valid photo ID such as a Rhode Island driver’s license, U.S. passport or state voter ID card. If you do not bring a photo ID, you will be given a provisional ballot to cast.
Voting at the polls on Election Day
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you live in New Shoreham, polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. You will be allowed to vote if you are in line by 8 p.m.
Use Rhode Island’s voter information portal to find your polling place.
Sample ballots will be available at the state’s voting information portal.
Voter ID requirements on Election Day
You will need to show a valid photo ID such as a Rhode Island driver’s license, U.S. passport or state voter ID card to vote. If you do not bring a photo ID, you will receive a provisional ballot.
Voting with a disability
You can bring someone to the polls to help you, but that person cannot be your employer or from your union.
Each polling place and early voting location has accessible voting machines that can read and mark your ballot for you. To use the ExpressVote machine, tell the elections official at your polling place.
You can vote by mail using an accessible mail ballot, which is sent through an email link and which you can mark electronically. Apply for the accessible mail ballot by checking the accessibility box in the mail ballot application.
Braille, large print and tactile mail ballots also are available. Submit this form to request a braille, large print or tactile ballot, along with a mail ballot application, to your local board of canvassers.
Voting from a nursing home or long-term care facility
Long-term residents of nursing facilities can ask to be placed on a permanent mail ballot list and automatically receive a mail ballot application each election. They must still apply for a mail ballot each election. Voters who check off Mail Ballot Category 2 will have their mail ballot delivered to them by a bipartisan pair of election officials from the State Board of Elections.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally published Jan. 23, 2024, and has been updated with new information about voting in the 2024 elections.
Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications.
