Who can vote by mail?

• Rhode Island Voters

  Rhode Island voters who are unable, or prefer not, to go the polls on Election Day can vote by mail. Follow the steps below to apply for and vote with a mail ballot.

• Military/Overseas Voters

  Rhode Island military/overseas voters use a special process to receive and return their mail ballot. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides step-by-step guidance on how a military/overseas voter can apply for and receive their mail ballot.

• Out of State Voters

  Registered to vote in another state, but living temporarily in Rhode Island? You can still vote in your state's election with a mail ballot:

  
  Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
• Blind, Visually Impaired or Disabled Voters

  Voters who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled may apply for a Braille or tactile mail ballot. To apply for a Braille or tactile mail ballot, you must be a registered voter in Rhode Island, submit a request for a Braille or tactile ballot in addition to submitting an application for a mail ballot for each primary and/or general election.

  The application must be filed with your local board of canvassers at least 45 days before the date of the election for which you are requesting a mail ballot. The request will be valid for mail ballots for all elections held during the calendar year in which the request was received and in which you are eligible to participate.

  You can use the request form prepared by the RI Department of State, or you may apply in writing without using the form by including the following information:

  • Name, address, and daytime phone number
  • Indication of whether this request is for the entire calendar year or only for the next election
  • Your party affiliation (if you are requesting a ballot for a primary)
  • Which special ballot format you desire: Braille Grade I, Braille Grade II, or tactile
  • Your signature
• Permanently Disabled or Incapacitated Voters

  Voters who are permanently disabled or incapacitated can submit an Application for a Permanent Mail Ballot to their local board of canvassers. This allows permanently disabled voters to be designated to receive a mail ballot application for each election in their jurisdiction.