Welcome to your Voter Information Center

Vote from Home with a Mail Ballot

Who can vote by mail?

Rhode Island Voters
Military/Overseas Voters
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:
Blind, Visually Impaired or Disabled Voters
Voters who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled have the option to apply for a Braille, Tactile or an Accessible 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, general election or special 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
For information on how to request an Accessible Ballot, click here

If you request additional assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact the Division of Elections at 401.222.2340.
Permanently Disabled or Incapacitated Voters

How to Vote 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.
Submit your mail ballot application to your local board of canvassers.
The local board of canvassers will review your application and compare your signature with the signature on your voter record.

STEP
2

Receive Your Mail Ballot

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

Your mail ballot
Voter's Mail Ballot Certificate envelope
Voting from Home instructions wrap
Postage-paid return envelope
I Voted by Mail sticker

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

STEP
3

Mark your Mail Ballot

Read the instructions carefully on how to mark your ballot and check both sides of the ballot. Note how many candidates you can vote for or if you are to approve or reject a referendum question.

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

Write-In Option when applicable: 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.

Do not cross out any mistakes you may have made on your ballot. Instead call the Elections Division at 401-222-2340 or TDD 711 to make arrangements to receive a replacement ballot.

STEP
4

Complete the Voter's Mail Ballot Certificate

Insert voted ballot into Voter’s Mail Ballot Certificate (smaller envelope).
Print your name.
Provide a telephone number in case there are questions pertaining to your Voter’s Mail Ballot Certificate Sign the envelope.
Sign your name. The signature on your Mail Ballot Certificate envelope will be compared to the signature on your mail ballot application.
You must have 2 witnesses or a Notary Public witness your signature. You can use our Notary Search tool to find one near you.

STEP
5

Mail or Hand-Deliver your Ballot

Place completed mail ballot certificate envelope into the postage-paid return envelope addressed to the:

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

You should allow at least seven (7) mailing days to ensure your mail ballot arrives by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

You may hand deliver the sealed envelope to the Board of Elections:

2000 Plainfield Pike, Suite A
Cranston, RI 02921

You may hand deliver the sealed envelope to any of the drop box locations around the state. Contact your local board of canvassers to find a drop box near you.

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

FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions about voting by mail. We encourage you to read the complete guide on how to safely vote from home with a mail ballot.

Do I have to reapply for a mail ballot each time I want to vote by mail?
What if I need help filling out my 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 assist as needed.

Contact your local board of canvassers if you need help with marking your ballot.
What if I make a mistake or if the mail ballot is damaged?
I applied for a mail ballot, but it hasn’t arrived. How can I check to see if my application was processed?
How can I check to see if my mail ballot was received?
What if I miss the mail ballot application deadline and cannot, or prefer not, to vote in person on Election Day?

You have two options:

Option one: Vote early in-person at your city/town hall during their regular business hours in the 20 days leading up to Election Day.

Option two: If you cannot vote in-person, you may request an emergency mail ballot from your local board of canvassers. Remember your emergency mail ballot must be received by the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day. See Step 5 above.
Can I vote in any party primary?

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

Guides

Vote From Home