State Voting Guide

Rhode Island Voting Guide

Use this Rhode Island voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.

Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.

At a Glance

Rhode Island voting quick facts

Registration

Rhode Island registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.

Voter ID

Rhode Island is listed as Non-strict photo ID.

Poll Hours

Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.

Absentee and Mail Voting

If for any reason you believe you will not be able to make it to the polls on election day, you can vote early using an emergency mail ballot within 20 days before the election.

Felony Voting Rights

In Rhode Island, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.

Voter Lookup

Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and 1 more.

Register

Rhode Island voter registration options

Rhode Island voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.

Online Available

You can register to vote in Rhode Island ONLINE. Online registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day

  • Online registration must be completed 30 days before Election Day.

By Mail Available

Your mailed-in voter registration must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day.Mail the completed form to your local board of canvassers.

  • Mail registration must meet the state deadline 30 days before Election Day.

In Person Available

In person registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day. Voters will automatically be registered to vote when they interact with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Bring the completed form to your local board of canvassers.

  • In-person registration must be completed 30 days before Election Day.
national_form

The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.

registration_status

Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site

Identification

Rhode Island voter ID laws

Rhode Island voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.

Non-strict photo ID

Rhode Island voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.

Code: R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-19-24.2 and R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-19-24.3

Accepted forms of ID

  • Rhode Island driver's license
  • Rhode Island voter identification card
  • United States passport
  • Identification card issued by a United States educational institution
  • United States military identification card
  • Identification card issued by: - the United States government, or - the State of Rhode Island
  • Government-issued medical card

If you do not have ID

  • A voter who is unable to provide acceptable identification may cast a provisional ballot.
  • The local board of canvassers determines whether the provisional ballot will count.
  • Election officials compare the signature on the provisional ballot application to the signature contained in the voter's registration record.
  • If the signatures match, the provisional ballot is counted. If the signatures do not match, the provisional ballot is rejected.

Polling Places

Rhode Island poll hours

Polling places in Rhode Island are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.

7:00 AM-8:00 PM

Polls always close at 8 p.m. regadless of election type

Absentee Voting

Rhode Island absentee and mail voting

If for any reason you believe you will not be able to make it to the polls on election day, you can vote early using an emergency mail ballot within 20 days before the election.

Absentee Voting In Rhode Island

If for any reason you believe you will not be able to make it to the polls on election day, you can vote early using an emergency mail ballot within 20 days before the election.

Emergency absentee ballot
  • If for any reason you believe you will not be able to make it to the polls on election day, you can vote early using an emergency mail ballot within 20 days before the election.
  • To apply for an emergency mail ballot you must obtain an application from your local board of canvassers and return it to them by 4:00 P.M. the day before the election. You will be able to vote your ballot at the board of canvassers, take...
  • All mail ballots must be received by the State Board of Elections at 50 Branch Avenue Providence, R.I. 02904 by 8:00 P.M. the night of the election.
Absentee Voting Eligibility
  • A voter within the State of Rhode Island who is incapacitated to the extent that it would be an undue hardship to vote at the polls because of illness, or mental or physical disability, blindness, or serious impairment of mobility.
  • An elector who is confined to in any hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, or similar institution, public of private, within the State of Rhode Island. http://www.elections.ri.gov/voting/nursing.php
  • An elector who will be temporarily absent from the state because of employment or service intimately connected with military operations or who is a spouse or legal dependent residing with that person, or a United States citizen that will be...
  • Please Note: any voter qualified to vote a category 3 mail ballot will also be allowed to cast a mail ballot pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act UOCAVA Act...
  • An elector who may not be able to vote at his or her polling place in his or her city or town on the day of the election (see “No Excuse Mail Ballot Voting” below).
Request an absentee ballot
  • Once you have registered to vote you must submit a mail ballot application. You must complete a mail ballot application for each individual election you wish to vote in.
  • Mail ballot applications must be filled out completely and received by your local board no later than 4:00 P.M. on the 21st day before the election or primary in which you wish to vote.
  • Please note that the application has to be physically at the local board by 4:00 P.M. on the deadline.
  • Postmarked applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Local Boards will not be responsible if you fail to deliver a properly completed application by the deadline.
Return an absentee ballot
  • All mail ballots must be received by the State Board of Elections at 50 Branch Avenue Providence, R.I. 02904 by 8:00 P.M. the night of the election.

Eligibility

Rhode Island voter eligibility

Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.

Age requirements

Voting age: You must be at least 18 years of age to vote

Registration age: You must be at least 16 to register.

May Convicted Felons Register to vote?
  • If you are a convicted felon and not in prison and you are a US citizen at least 18 years of age on election day, you may restore your right to vote by notifying your local board of canvassers in writing that you have completed your prison...
To qualify to register you must:
  • Be a United States citizen;
  • Be at least 16 years of age. You must be at least 18 years of age to vote,and
  • Be a resident of the Rhode Island city or town where you wish to vote.
  • You must not be currently deemed non-compos mentis by a court of law
  • You must not be currently incarcerated in a correctional facility under felony conviction

Voting Rights

Rhode Island felony conviction voting rights

In Rhode Island, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.

Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release

In Rhode Island, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.

Citation: R.I. Const. Art. II, § 1; R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-9.2-3

Work and Voting

Rhode Island time off for voting

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Rhode Island state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Time off status: No

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Rhode Island state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

RI - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Rhode Island state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Lookup

Rhode Island voter information lookup

Check Your Voter Registration Status.

Voter Information Lookup

Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and and more.

Moving

Rhode Island moving and student voting

You can also submit a voter registration form to:.

Movers and college students Voting

You can also submit a voter registration form to:.

Updating your voter registration information (name, address, or party change)
  • You can also submit a voter registration form to:
  • Update your name
  • Update your address
  • Update your party affiliation (it takes 90 days for a party change to take effect)
  • You must submit an updated voter registration form each time you change your address, change your name, or change your party affiliation.
College Students
  • At School. Students can establish residency in Rhode Island if they have a present intention to remain at their Rhode Island school address for the time being, and they intend to make it their principal home. Any other interpretation of the...
  • At Home. Students who lived in Rhode Island before moving elsewhere to attend school, and who wish to establish or keep their Rhode Island voting residency (i.e., at their parents’ Rhode Island address), should have no problem doing so...

Sources

Rhode Island official voting resources

Questions

Common Rhode Island questions

Can I register to vote online in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island lists online voter registration as available. You can register to vote in Rhode Island ONLINE. Online registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day

What voter ID rule does Rhode Island use?

Rhode Island is listed as Non-strict photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.

What time do polls open in Rhode Island?

Polling places in Rhode Island are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.

Where can I check my Rhode Island voter registration or polling place?

The Rhode Island voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and and more.

Can people with felony convictions vote in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.

Source transparency. This page is generated from the Can I Vote JSON voting-guide model for Rhode Island and includes 11 selected official or high-value resource links. Always confirm final voting instructions with your state or local election office.