Rhode Island Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Important Deadlines

• Voter Registration Form: Received at least 30 days before the election
• Absentee Ballot Application: Received 4pm on the 21st day before the election
• Voted Absentee Ballot: Received by 9pm on election day

How to apply for an absentee ballot

Register to vote

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  

You can also download and complete Rhode Island's voter registration form. Mail the completed form to your local Board of Canvassers.

(NOTE: to vote in a party primary in Rhode Island, you must affiliate yourself with that party at least 90 days before the primary.)

Verify your registration

It's best to verify your voter registration before applying for your absentee ballot.  If there's a problem with your registration, register again before proceeding.

NOTE: Most people receive their voter registration cards in the mail 2-3 weeks after registering to vote. Don't worry if you lost your voter registration card. You don't actually need it to vote.

Make sure you're eligible to vote by absentee ballot

In Rhode Island, you must have a reason to vote absentee. If you are a registered voter, you may vote by mail if:

• You will be absent from the state on election day during the entire time the polls are open (military and overseas voters please see Category 7);
• You will be absent from the city or town of your voting residence during the entire time the polls are open because you are a student or spouse of a student at an institution of higher learning within the state;
• It would be an undue hardship for you to vote at the polls because you are incapacitated due to illness or mental or physical disability, blindness or serious impairment of mobility.
• You are forbidden by the tenets of your religious faith from voting on election day;
• You are confined to a hospital, rest home, convalescent home, nursing home or similar institution, public or private ( Click here for more information on this category);
• You are being detained while awaiting trial or imprisoned for any cause other than final conviction of a felony;
• You will be temporarily absent from the state because of employment or service connected with military operations or are a spouse or dependent of such a person (see below);
• You are employed by the State Board of Elections or the local Board of Canvassers or a poll worker assigned to work on Election Day outside of your voting district.

Apply for your absentee ballot

Rhode Island issues a different absentee ballot application for each election.  Since we're past the deadline to apply for the 2011 election, stay tuned for applications for the 2012 primaries and beyond!

Unless you are on active military service, your absentee ballot application must be notarized or witnessed by two people.  Mail or hand deliver your application to your local Board of Canvassers. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is 4pm on the 21st day before the election.

Receive, complete, and return your absentee ballot

The Board of Elections will mail you an absentee ballot and a return envelope.  Fill it in, sign where indicated, and mail your completed ballot to the state Board of Elections.  (The address is on the ballot.)  Your absentee ballot must be received by 9pm on election day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to provide ID when I register to vote?

You must provide either a valid Rhode Island driver's license number or valid Rhode Island ID number issued on your voter registration form. If you do not have a valid Rhode Island driver's license or RI ID number, you must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number.  If you are registering for the first time in Rhode Island and you do not provide one of these numbers you'll have to include a copy of your ID.  If you forget, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote.  Acceptable forms of identification include a copy of a current and valid photo identification OR a copy of a current utility bill, current bank statement, current government check, current paycheck, or Another current government document that shows your name and Rhode Island address.

Do I need to provide ID when I apply for my absentee ballot?

You do not need to provide ID if you've already voted in Rhode Island at least once.  If you are a first-time Rhode Island voter, and you did not put your driver's license number or state ID card number on your voter registration form, then you must provide a copy of one of the following with your absentee ballot application: a current and valid photo identification OR or a current utility bill, Current bank statement, Current government check, Current paycheck, or another current government document that shows your name and Rhode Island address.

I need an emergency absentee ballot. Help!

If circumstances arise (such as hospitalization) within 20 days of the primary or election which prevent you from going to the polls to vote on election day, you may be eligible to vote an emergency mail ballot.  The deadline to apply for an emergency ballot is 4:00 pm on the day before the election.  You can request an emergency absentee ballot from your local Board of Canvassers.  (NOTE: Rhode Island state law establishes the deadline to request a mail ballot as 4 p.m. the day prior to the election or primary. The Board of Elections is unable to accomodate any mail ballot requests after this deadline.)

If you apply for an emergency absentee ballot due to illness, disability or blindness, you must include a certificate from a physician or Christian Science practitioner. This certificate must contain the address of the physician or Christian Science practitioner, the date that the applicant was last examined or treated and attest to the fact that the illness, disability, blindness or serious impairment of mobility did not manifest itself until twenty (20) days or less prior to the primary or election. 

All emergency ballot envelopes must be notarized or witnessed by 2 persons who must sign their names and addresses. (This requirement does not apply to military voters or voters who are incapacitated due to illness, disability, or blindness.)

Can I vote by absentee ballot on a permanent basis?

Generally, no. However, if you are permanently incapacitated to the extent that it would be a hardship to go to the polling place, you may use the Rhode Island Application for Automatic Mail-in Ballot to request that the Board of Canvassers put your name on their list to automatically receive a mail ballot application for a period of 5 years.

Can I vote in person before the election?

No, Rhode Island does not allow in-person voting before election day.

I've already received my absentee ballot.  Can I still vote in person?

Yes, but only on election day. 

When you apply for a mail ballot, your Local Board of Canvassers makes a note of it and your name is taken off the list of eligible voters for your polling place.  In order to be able to vote at the polling place, you must return the absentee ballot to the Board of Canvassers, or you will be required to cast a Provisional Ballot at the polling place on the day of the primary or election.

Additional Information