Marriage Equality Rhode Island

learn / for RI Voters

Voter Information

Find out where to vote, when to vote, and what to do if you need to vote absentee or have other special circumstances.

Where to vote

You can find out where your polling place is located, and its operating hours for a particular election, by contacting your local canvassing office directly.

Voter Registration Information

If you’re not sure if you’re registered or not, you can check your registration status at the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website.

Upcoming Elections

The Rhode Island Board of Elections keeps their website updated with the dates for upcoming state and local elections.

Absentee Ballot

Rhode Island issues a different absentee ballot application for each election. If a mail ballot application is not currently available at the Rhode Island Board of Elections website, then you’ll need to contact your local Board of Canvassers directly to obtain one. Note that the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is 4pm on the 21st day before the election. 

Your ballot must be returned to the Board of Elections by 9pm on Election Day.

More information, including specific qualifications for obtaining an absentee ballot, are available from the Rhode Island Board of Elections.

Emergency Absentee Ballot

If circumstances arise within twenty days of the election which will prevent you from making it to the polls, you may be eligible to vote with an emergency mail ballot. The deadline to apply for an emergency ballot is 4:00 pm on the day before the election, and can be requested from your local board of canvassers.

Note that if your emergency is due to illness you’ll need a certificate from a physician. Consult the Rhode Island Board of Elections website for further information about obtaining emergency mail ballots.

Permanent Absentee Ballot

If you are disabled or permanently incapacitated, you may request that the Board of Canvassers automatically send you an application for an absentee ballot. Contact your local board of canvassers directly for more information.

Further Information

The information provided here is just meant to be a basic guideline to voting in Rhode Island, and is provided for general knowledge and convenience. For further details and the most correct and up-to-date information, please visit RI.gov’s e-democracy website.