Know Your Voter Rights!

The right to vote is one of the most important rights we have as an American citizen and as Rhode Islanders. The Attorney General and Secretary of State’s office are committed to protecting your right to vote. Below is more information about your voting rights.

• Keep who you vote for a secret

  Your voter registration and some other voting documents, like a mail ballot application, are public records. No one however, not even elections officials, can find out who you voted for once your ballot is accepted.

• Cast a provisional ballot

  No one should be turned away at the polls. You have the right to request a provisional ballot if you are a qualified, registered voter and your name cannot be found on the voter list when you arrive at your designated polling place on Election Day, or if you do not bring a current and valid acceptable photo ID to the polling place. Your vote will be counted after your local board of canvassers confirms your eligibility.

• Vote free of harassment or intimidation

  Rhode Island General Laws, Section 17-19-49 currently prohibits the display or distribution of any poster, paper, circular or document that would aid, injure or defeat any candidate for public office or any political party or any question on the ballot.

  This law prohibits such display within the voting place or within fifty (50) feet of the entrance or entrances to the building in which voting is taking place at any primary or election.

  Election officials, that is, wardens, moderators, clerks and bi-partisan supervisors, assigned to a polling place are also prohibited from displaying or wearing any political party button, badge or other device that is intended to aid, injure or defeat the candidacy of any person for public office or any question on the ballot or to intimidate or influence any voter.

  The State Board of Elections has oversight of the conduct of elections at polling places and that office should be contacted if you have any specific questions as to what campaigning is allowed.

• Have assistance in the voting booth when voting in-person

  You can request the assistance of a bipartisan pair of election officials. Federal and state laws allow voters who are blind, disabled, or unable to read or write to bring a person of their choice into the voting booth. An affidavit must be completed by the person providing assistance and cannot be the voter’s employer, an agent of the voter’s employer, or an agent or officer of the voter’s union.

• Vote by mail

  If you cannot vote in person, you have the right to vote by mail. Find out how on our vote by mail page.

• Enroll in the Address Confidentiality Program

  All the information on a voter registration form is public record except your RI driver’s license and Social Security numbers.

  The only exception is for victims or potential victims of domestic violence.

  If you or a member of your household has a court-ordered restraining order against another person to prevent domestic violence, you may register to vote without making your residence address part of a public record. Please visit our address confidentiality page for more information.

• Have your voting rights restored when released from prison

  Under the Rhode Island Restoration of Voting Rights Act of 2006 (RIRVRA) the Secretary of State must ensure that persons who were not eligible to vote due to incarceration, will have their eligibility restored upon release from prison.

  If you are a person convicted of a felony who was registered to vote in Rhode Island and plan to stay in the state, you will have your voter registration restored when you are released from prison. If you are sentenced to home confinement, probation or parole, you are still eligible to vote.

• Get a Voter ID that represents your gender identity

  Gender identity should never prevent anyone from being a voter. Learn more about how to update your voter information if you have legally changed your name or need a Voter ID that better reflects your appearance today.

• Vote when you have a legal guardian

  You have the right to vote if you have a legal guardian unless the guardianship order specifically suspends your right to vote.

• Register to vote when you are homeless

  You can still vote if you are experiencing homelessness or don’t have a permanent address. Contact the Elections Division at 401.222.2340 for assistance.

• Use accessible technology to vote in-person or at home

  If you have a disability, are incapacitated, or have a reading disability and have trouble reading and understanding what is printed on your ballot, you are encouraged to use the ExpressVote machines available at every voting location when voting in-person.

  To vote from home using assistive marking technology on your computer, you must check off the accessibility box on the mail ballot application. You may also request a braille, tactile or large print mail ballot.

Violations of state election law

Any attempt to interfere with your right to vote or to unduly influence your vote is a crime. It is a crime to try to make you vote a certain way by making threats or offering gifts.

It is also against the law to force you to reveal your vote once you have cast your ballot. Contact your local board of canvassers if anyone tries to interfere with your right to vote.