Rhode Island General Election
Last update: Oct 25, 2026 01:06 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 24, 2026 01:22 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Rhode Island offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Rhode Island by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Rhode Island allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Rhode Island offers early voting.
9 days to Election Day!
- Early voting has started! You can vote early until Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Visit the Rhode Island website to find where to vote.
- You will be asked to show a photo ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Rhode Island's website.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Rhode Island’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Vote on Election Day
Voters in Rhode Island can look up where to vote on the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division website.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Rhode Island.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Rhode Island’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in person. Your ID must be valid and cannot be expired more than six (6) months before you vote. Your ID does not need to show your current address.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Rhode Island driver's license/permit
- Rhode Island voter ID card
- US passport
- ID issued by a school or college in the US
- US military ID
- ID issued by the US government or State of Rhode Island
- tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe
- government-issued medical card
If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be counted if the signature on your provisional ballot application matches your voter registration card. You have until the close of business the day after the election to provide information to the Board of Canvassers to help qualify your ballot.
Can I register to vote online?
- Rhode Island offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Rhode Island, you need to provide your Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)-issued driver’s license or state ID number. If you don’t have a Rhode Island-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration form by mail or in person.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Rhode Island offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 14 and Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Rhode Island's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in person. Your ID must be valid and cannot be expired more than six (6) months before you vote. Your ID does not need to show your current address.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Rhode Island driver's license/permit
- Rhode Island voter ID card
- US passport
- ID issued by a school or college in the US
- US military ID
- ID issued by the US government or State of Rhode Island
- tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe
- government-issued medical card
If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be counted if the signature on your provisional ballot application matches your voter registration card. You have until the close of business the day after the election to provide information to the Board of Canvassers to help qualify your ballot.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Rhode Island voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Rhode Island, you must provide your current and valid Rhode Island driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Rhode Island will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you are affiliated with a political party in Rhode Island, you may only vote in that party's primary. If you are an unaffiliated voter, you must choose one party’s ballot when you vote. This will not affiliate you with a party.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your municipality and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
In Rhode Island, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Request your mail ballot online or mail your application form by Oct 13.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address. Visit the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division website to update your information.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Rhode Island allows for same day voter registration for the Presidential Election only. If you miss the voter registration deadline, you can register to vote on Election Day, but you will only be able to vote for President and Vice President. You will not be able to vote in any state, local, or other federal races. You can only register and vote on Election Day at the location designated by your local board of canvassers.
- Learn more by visiting the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 4
- Online : Oct 4
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 4
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (postmarked by) : Oct 13 by 4:00 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in person. Your ID must be valid and cannot be expired more than six (6) months before you vote. Your ID does not need to show your current address.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Rhode Island driver's license/permit
- Rhode Island voter ID card
- US passport
- ID issued by a school or college in the US
- US military ID
- ID issued by the US government or State of Rhode Island
- tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe
- government-issued medical card
If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be counted if the signature on your provisional ballot application matches your voter registration card. You have until the close of business the day after the election to provide information to the Board of Canvassers to help qualify your ballot.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Rhode Island you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a resident of Rhode Island and of the city or town where you wish to vote at least 30 days before the next election
- be at least 16 years of age (you must be at least 18 years old on or before a general or special election to vote)
- not currently be incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction
- not have been lawfully judged to be mentally incompetent
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your the Rhode Island Department of State, Elections Division.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Rhode Island. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Rhode Island's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Rhode Island, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Department of State, Elections Division and the State Board of Elections oversee elections and election administration in Rhode Island. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.