As Election Day approaches on November 5, here’s everything you need to know about voting in Rhode Island. For voting information in other states, click here.
Do I Need to Register to Vote?
Yes, registration is required to vote in Rhode Island. You can check your voter status on the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website.
How Can I Register?
To register, you must be a Rhode Island resident, a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years old (you must be 18 to vote), not currently incarcerated, and not declared “mentally incompetent” to vote. You can register online if you have a Rhode Island driver’s license or state ID number. If you don’t have these, you can still register using a paper application.
What’s the Registration Deadline?
You need to register 30 days before the election. You can also register on Election Day, but you will only be able to vote for President and Vice President; state, local, and other federal offices will not be available to you.
How Do I Find My Polling Place?
To locate your polling place, enter your address in the voter information section on the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website.
Can I Vote by Mail?
If you cannot vote in person or prefer to vote from home, you can request a mail ballot. You can apply for a mail ballot online or print out an application to send to your local board of canvassers.
What’s the Deadline to Submit My Mail Ballot?
Your mail ballot must be received by the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can either mail or personally deliver it.
Can I Track My Ballot?
You can track the status of your ballot using the BallotTrax system on the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website.
What If I Need Assistance Getting to the Polls?
The Rhode Island Secretary of State emphasizes that “No one should be denied the right to vote due to their circumstances.” You have the options to vote by mail, vote early, or vote in person on Election Day. Accessibility features at polling locations include machines designed for voters with disabilities, accessible parking, entries, at least one handicapped-accessible voting booth, clear signs, proper lighting, seating for those waiting to vote, and available writing materials for communication. Additional accommodations are available for both in-person and mail-in voting.
Where Can I Find Election Results?
YSL News will provide live updates on the outcomes of the presidential, congressional, and statewide races here.
