Vote by Mail

Who can vote by mail?

• Rhode Island Voters

  Rhode Island voters who are unable to make it to 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 a Certification of Permanently Disabled or Incapacitated Voter for Automatic Application For Mail Ballot form 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.

Step to Voting by Mail in Rhode Island

STEP
1

Apply For A Mail Ballot

Download the mail ballot application or contact your local board of canvassers to request one.

Primary Mail Ballot Application – Due on August 18, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

General Election Mail Ballot Application – Due on October 13, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Submit your mail ballot application to your local board of canvassers.

STEP
2

Receive Your Mail Ballot

You will receive your mail ballot packet to the address listed on your application. Your mail ballot packet includes:

      Your ballot

      Voter's Mail Ballot Certificate envelope

      Voting instructions sheet

      Postage paid return envelope

      I voted sticker

If you do not receive your mail ballot, call the Elections Division at 401-222-2340.

STEP
3

Mark Your Mail Ballot

Completely fill the oval next to your choice(s) using a pen. Black ink preferred.

To vote for a candidate whose name is not on the ballot, fill in the oval to the left of “Write-in” and print the name clearly in the box.

If you make a mistake while marking your ballot do not cross out, instead call the Elections Division at 401-222-2340 or TDD 711 to make arrangements to receive a replacement ballot.

STEP
4

Complete Voter's Mail Ballot Certificate

• Insert voted ballot into envelope.
• Print your name.
• Sign the envelope. This signature will be compared to your mail ballot application. Optional: Print your RI DL/State ID or last 4 digits of SSN.
• Print your telephone number/email address in case there are questions pertaining to your Voter’s Mail Ballot Certificate.

STEP
5

Mail Or Hand-Deliver Your Ballot

Place completed mail ballot certificate envelope addressed to the:

Rhode Island Board of Elections
P.O.Box 6128
Providence, RI 02940

Hand Deliver to:
2000 Plainfield Pike, Suite A
Cranston, RI 02920

The Board of Elections must receive your mail ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

FAQ

• Can I vote in any party primary?

  If you are affiliated with a specific political party, you may only vote in that party’s primary. Unaffiliated, also known as independent, voters can vote in any party primary but, by casting a vote in a party primary, you automatically become affiliated with that party.

  If you vote by mail ballot and want to return to an unaffiliated status, you may do so by updating your record here and changing your party. You can also complete a new paper voter registration form or contacting your local board of canvassers. You will officially return to your unaffiliated status in 30 days.

  If you vote at the polls and want to return to an unaffiliated status, you may request a “disaffiliation form” from poll workers and fill it out before leaving the polling place. You will officially return to your unaffiliated status in 30 days.

• How secure are mail ballots in Rhode Island?

  Upon receiving your mail ballot application, elections officials will verify your signature on the mail ballot application with your signature in the voter registration system. Once your mail ballot is received by the RI State Board of Elections, elections officials will verify your signature on the Voter’s Mail Ballot Certificate envelope with the one on your mail ballot application.

• What if I need help completing my mail ballot?

  Contact your local board of canvassers if you need help with marking your ballot.

  Anyone applying for a mail ballot from a nursing home, convalescent home, or similar institution will have their ballot delivered by a bipartisan pair of supervisors appointed by the State Board of Elections. The bipartisan pair will provide assistance as needed for the voter.

  Any voter who is blind or visually impaired is eligible to request a Braille or tactile mail ballot. A voter must request a Braille or tactile mail ballot from their local board of canvassers at least 45 days before an election.

• Can I check to see if my mail ballot was received?

  You can check to see if your mail ballot was received by the State Board of Elections by viewing your personal information on the Voter Information Center.

• What if I miss the mail ballot application deadline and I cannot vote in person?

  If circumstances arise after the regular mail ballot application deadline, you can apply for an emergency mail ballot at your local board of canvassers until 4 p.m. on the day before the election. The State Board of Elections must receive your voted emergency mail ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

• What if I do not receive my mail ballot or if I make a mistake or the ballot is damaged?

  Request a replacement mail ballot by contacting our office at (401) 222-2340 or via email [email protected]

• Do I have to reapply for a mail ballot each time I want to vote by mail?

  Voters must apply for a mail ballot for every primary or general election they wish to vote in. Voters who are permanently disabled or incapacitated can submit a Certification of Permanently Disabled or Incapacitated Voter for Automatic Application for Mail Ballot form 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.