Voter Registration & Information 2020

Voter Registration & Information for 2020 Elections

When are my next elections? What are the deadlines?

Your next election date: 

(Learn about same day registration if you missed your deadlines.)

General Election: Tuesday, November 3

Voter Registration Deadline: October 4 

Mail ballot application deadline:October 13

Early In-Person Voting

For a Rhode Island voter to vote early in-person, go to your local board of canvassers located in your city/town hall.

Voting early is a great option to reduce crowding at polling places on election day, if you can’t vote on election day, or if you can’t/don’t want to do mail in voting. You can vote in person at your city or town hall during their regular business hours in the 20 days leading up to Election Day.

Want more information? Click here. Contact your local board of canvassers for more local information, too.

Voter Registration

How can I check if I’m registered to vote?

*NOTE: If you’ve gotten some type of identification from the DMV, there is a pretty high chance that you are already registered to vote. It can’t hurt to check! Plus, it’s a good idea to check anyways, just so you don’t go through the process of registering to find out that you already are!

1. Go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov/.
2. Click “View/Update My Voter Record”
3. Enter your name, date of birth, and/or your zip code.
4. Press continue, and it will tell you if you’re registered to vote or not.

How can I register to vote if I am not already registered?

Online:

*NOTE: You can only apply online if you have a DMV issued ID or Driver’s License. If you have a permit, or some other form of identification, you will need to submit a paper application.

1. Go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov/.
2. Click “Register To Vote”
3. Fill out the boxes next to the questions shown to see if you are eligible to vote.
4. Press continue.
5. Fill out personal information, address, and party affiliation. 
6. Review it, and submit the applications.

Paper Registration: 

1. Go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov/.
2. Click “Register To Vote”
3. Fill out the boxes next to the questions shown to see if you are eligible to vote.
4. Press continue.
5. To the left, there should be blue underlined words that say “paper form submission.” Click on it.
6. Print out the form and fill all required fields.
7. Mail or bring the completed form to your local board of canvassers. (Don’t know where your local board of canvassers is? Click here to find out.)

About same day registration:

Same day registration only applies to the Presidential Election. This means that if you miss the registration deadline for the General Election (deadline: October 4), than you can register on the day of the election, but will only be able to vote for the President and Vice President. It is suggested you register before the deadline so you can vote in other federal, state, and local elections. You can only register and vote on Election Day at the location designated by your local board of canvassers.

Find out more about polling places below.

Click here for a full list of deadlines for registration, special accommodations, and more.

Voting

Before voting, it is recommended that you check your personal voting information here so that you know if you are registered. If you aren’t registered, scroll up and register to vote in a way that works for you.

Vote at the Polls:

**NOTE: Because of COVID-19, polling places are going to be limited. Mail in voting is HIGHLY recommended.

1. Go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/UpdateVoterRecord?ActiveFlag=0.
2. Enter your first and last name, date of birth, and zip code.
3. There, you can find your polling place and a sample ballot by scrolling down.

When you get to your polling place, there are a few steps that will need to be taken.

Make sure you bring a valid photo ID, as you will be asked to provide one. If you don’t do this, you can cast what is known as a provisional ballot until your local board of canvassers can verify whether or not you are eligible to vote. (Don’t know what counts as a valid ID, or what a provisional ballot is? Click here for answers to those question, and others.)

For a run through of what will happen once you get to your assigned polling place, click here.

NOTE: All polling places will have at least one handicap accessible voting booth, which wil be prioritized for voters over 65 years old and/or disabled voters. If standing for long periods of time causes severe discomfort, you may be moved to the front of the line. Additionally, each polling place has a mahnifier to assist those who are visionally impaired. Click here for more imformation on voter accessibility/assistance.

Vote by Mail:

Voting by mail is highly recommended during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Who is eligible to vote by mail? How?

• Rhode Island Voters

Any voter registered in RI who cannot make it to a polling place can vote by mail.

1. Download a mail ballot application or request one from your local board of canvassers.
2. Fill it out and submit it to your local board of canvassers.
3. You will then receive your mail ballot that will contain your ballot, a Voter’s Mail Ballot Certificate envelope, a voting instructions sheet, a postage paid return envelope, and an I voted sticker (In the event you do not receive your ballot, contact the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division at 401-222-2340, or email them at elections@sos.ri.gov).
4. Fill out the ballot by completely filling in the oval next to your chosen candidate (preferably in black ink), or fill in the oval next to the write in option and clearly write the name of your chosen candidate. If you make a mistake, contact the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division (contact information shown in step 3) and request a replacement.
5. Insert the completed ballot into the envelope. On the envelope, you will print and sign your name, and print your telephone number and email in case there are inquiries about your ballot. Optionally, you can print your RI Drivers License/State ID or the last 4 digits of your social security number.
6. Lastly, mail your ballot to the Rhode Island Board of Elections, P.O. Box 6128, Providence, RI, 02940. Additionally, you can hand deliver it to 2000 Plainfield Pike, Suite A, Cranston, RI.02920.

Click here for information on mail in voting for military/overseas voters, out of state voters, and disabled voters.

Can I track my mail ballot?

Absolutely! To do so, click here. you can sign into your voting record and see your mail ballot status, along with your voter information, your polling place location, and a preview of a sample ballot.