Rhode Island/Voting
Who can register to vote:
- A US citizen and a citizen of Rhode Island.
- Was not incarcerated for a felony conviction
- At least 16 years of age
- Is presently not judged as “mentally incompetent”
Valid IDs
- RI driver’s license/permit
- U.S. passport
- ID card issued by any federally recognized tribal government
- ID card issued by an educational institution in the U.S.
- U.S. military ID card › ID card issued by the U.S. government or State of Rhode Island (RIPTA bus pass, etc.)
- Government issued medical card › RI Voter ID card
Note: The ID must be valid or expired for six months in order to be considered a valid ID.
Early voting
In the 20 days leading up to Election Day, you can vote in person at your city or town hall or at a designated location during regular business hours. This is a great option if you are unable to vote at your usual polling place on Election Day, or if you have run out of time to request a mail ballot.
Vote by Mail
For mail-in ballots, you do not need an excuse to vote by mail in the state of Rhode Island. Voters would not need an ID but it would require a verified signature in order to be accepted.
To request a mail-in ballot application, you must have a valid RI license or ID to do so. You can get the application on their website and it would be reviewed by the local board of canvassers. If you are permanently disabled, live in a nursing home, or incapacitated, you can request a permanent vote-by mail to your local board of canvassers. [1]
Election Day:
If you vote on Election Day, you can bring a valid photo ID to your polling place. All polling place locations will close at 8pm. Most places will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, opening hours may vary, but all polls close at 8:00 pm
Miscellaneous
When it comes to primaries, Rhode Island has a hybrid primary system. If you are registered to with a particular party, you must vote in that parties primary. However, if you are unaffiliated with any political party, you can choose which party’s primary you wish to vote in. [2]