Summary
Federal & state elections on the ballot: US House members, and State Senate and House members
Ballot measures: None
The Rhode Island State Board of Elections, oversees all Rhode Island elections.
OnAir Post: Rhode Island Votes in 2024
News
AP, – April 26, 2021
Rhode Island is enjoying a census surprise: The state’s population grew enough for it to retain its two seats in Congress, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released Monday.
The state’s population increased by 4.3%, from about 1.05 million residents in the 2010 census to nearly 1.1 million in 2020, the agency reported.
Demographers and political experts have been warning for years that the nation’s geographically smallest state would lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as its population stagnated and other states grew.
Monday’s results mean Rhode Island, at least for another decade, avoids a potential political showdown between U.S. Reps. David Cicilline and James Langevin, the state’s two popular Democratic congressmembers.
About
Contact
Locations
Board of Elections
2000 Plainfield Pike
Cranston, RI 02921
Phone: 401-222-2345
Fax: 401-222-3135
Web Links
Registering to Vote
General Information
Who can register
To register in Rhode Island you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of Rhode Island for 30 days preceding the next election
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- not be currently incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction
- not have been lawfully judged to be mentally incompetent
How to register
- Use our Register to Vote form below to fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Sign and date your form. This is very important!
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed form to the address we provide.
- Make sure you register before the voter registration deadline.
Election Day registration
You may register in person on Election Day at your local Board of Canvassers but only for Presidential elections.
Voting Rights restoration
If you have been convicted of a felony and have questions about whether you can register to vote, visit Restore Your Vote to determine your eligibility.
Registration Status (form)
New Registration (form)
Voting
General Information
Voting as a Student
Learn more from Campus Vote Project about voting for students.
Overseas and Military Voting
You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.
If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Voting with Disabilities
If you are blind, disabled or unable to read or write, you may be given assistance at the polls by a person of your choice as long as that person is not your employer or agent of your employer, or officer or agent of your union.
Every polling place is situated in a building which can be entered and exited by persons who are disabled or elderly. If you are disabled or elderly and the assigned polling place is inaccessible, the local board must provide alternative means for you to cast a ballot on Election Day. DRE machines will be available for the handicapped.
If you are blind, visually impaired, or disabled, you may apply for a braille or tactile mail ballot. You must be a registered voter in Rhode Island and submit an application for a mail ballot in addition to the request for a braille or tactile ballot for each election.
For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.
Early Voting
N/A
Vote by Mail (Absentee)
Absentee ballot rules
Any registered Rhode Island voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
How to get Absentee ballot
- Use our Absentee Ballot Form below to prepare your application.
- Sign and date the form. This is very important!
- Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We’ll provide the mailing address for you.
- All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it’s close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
- Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time — simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
- Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.
What to do next
- Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
- Sign and date where indicated.
- Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
- Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.
Absentee ballot application deadline
- In Person:
- By Mail: 21 days before Election Day.
Absentee ballot submission deadline
Election Day
Absentee Ballot (form)
Elections Alert (Form)
Pollling Information
Polling Place Locator
You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.
If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.
Polling Place Hours
Please note: All polling place locations will close at 8pm. Most places will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, opening hours may vary, but all polls close at 8:00 pm.
Poll Worker Information
In order to be a poll worker in Rhode Island, you must be:
- Registered to vote in Rhode Island
- Able to read the Constitution of the sate in English
- Able to write your own name
You are ineligible to be a poll worker if:
- You are a candidate for public office
- Have been convicted, found guilty, pleaded guilty or nolo contendere, or placed on a deferred or suspended sentence, or on probation for any crime which involves moral turpitude or which constitutes a violation of any of the election or caucus laws of this or any state
- Are a federal, state, municipal employee – except teacher – only in primary elections
To sign up, contact your local board of canvassers.
State Board of Elections
Source: Web page
The Board of Elections is the state agency of dedicated professionals responsible for regulating various aspects of the elections process within Rhode Island.
Our Mission
“The mission of the Board of Elections is to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to effectively and efficiently administer the provisions of the election laws of the United States and the State of Rhode Island including, but not limited to, the governance and conduct of elections, voter registration, campaign finance, public funding of campaigns and any other duties prescribed by law.”
Robert Rapoza, Executive Director
Diane C. Mederos, Chairwoman
Stephen P. Erickson, Vice-Chairman
Jennifer L. Johnson
Richard H. Pierce
Dr. Isadore S. Ramos
David H. Sholes
William E. West
Robert Rapoza, Executive Director
Raymond Marcaccio, Legal Counsel
