In-Person Early Voting and Emergency Ballots

Early In-Person Voting

Under Rhode Island General Law, registered voters may vote early in person during the 20 days leading up to Election Day. This option is available to any voter unable to cast their ballot at their designated polling place on Election Day. The process is similar to traditional voting: you must present an acceptable photo ID to check in on an electronic poll book. After marking your ballot, you will cast it directly into a DS200 tabulator. While cast early, these ballots are not tabulated until after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on election night. Early voting typically takes place at your local City or Town Hall or a location designated by the Board of Canvassers.

Emergency Mail Ballots

In the 20-days leading up to Election Day, a voter may apply for an emergency mail ballot by obtaining an application from the local Board of Canvassers. The voter or their authorized representative must return the application by 4:00 P.M. the day before the election. If the application is accepted, the local Board of Canvassers will issue the voter a ballot with an envelope that they must complete and return to the Board of Canvassers or an official Elections Drop-box by 8 P.M. on election night.

** In a Presidential Election Year, if you miss the voter registration deadline but still wish to vote for President and Vice President by mail, you must apply with your local board of canvassers. To do so, submit both a voter registration form and an emergency mail ballot application. For the General Election, these forms must be received by 4 p.m. at least seven (7) days prior to Election Day.

Early and Emergency ballots must be voted or applied for in the city or town in which the voter resides.

All mail ballots and emergency mail ballots must be received by the State Board of Elections at 2000 Plainfield Pike, Suite A, Cranston, R.I. 02921 by 8:00 P.M. the night of the election.

Surrendering Mail Ballots for Early Voting is not permitted.

A voter cannot surrender his mail ballot in exchange for an early in-person ballot to be cast at the early voting location. Once the mail ballot application is accepted, the voter can either return the completed mail ballot for tabulation or vote a Provisional Ballot in person on Election Day at his or her designated polling place. Given the proximity of the election, and the need to ensure the integrity and security of the ballot, it is not administratively possible to substitute different forms of mail ballots. For the full statement click here.

Call your local Board of Canvassers for more information.