The Rhode Island voter registration deadline is October 5, 2026. Voters can register to vote online, in-person, or by mailing a completed application.
Eligibility
In order to register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Rhode Island, at least 16 years old (must be 18 to vote), not incarcerated for a felony conviction, and not be presently judged “mentally incompetent” to vote by a court of law.
- College students have a choice of whether they want to vote in Rhode Island or vote in their home state, but they may only be registered and vote at one location.
- Rhode Island residents who are incarcerated in a correctional facility for a felony conviction are not eligible to vote, but their voter registration will be restored immediately upon release. Find more information on restoration of voting rights here.
- Find more information about the eligibility requirements for voting in Rhode Island here.
Deadline
The deadline to register to vote in Rhode Island for the 2026 midterm election is October 5, 2026, which is 30 days before the election. Voter registration forms submitted by mail must be postmarked 30 days before the election.
Voter Registration Process
There are three methods of voter registration in Rhode Island: online registration, mailing in a completed printable application, and in-person registration.
- Rhode island residents can register to vote in-person at their local board of canvassers.
- If it is your first time registering to vote in Rhode Island, you will need to submit a form of ID with your application. Acceptable forms of ID can be found here.
- Further voter registration information for Rhode Island can be found here.
This page was last updated on July 29, 2025.
Questions? Contact us here.
Rhode Island offers in-person, by-mail, and early voting in the 2023 General Election.
Vote-By-Mail Practices
All registered Rhode Island voters are eligible to apply for a mail ballot and vote by mail. Click here to access Rhode Island’s mail ballot application.
- The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 21 days prior to Election Day (October 17, 2023).
- Your completed mail-in ballot must be received by the Board of Elections before 8pm on Election Day in order to be counted.
- Further absentee/by-mail voting information for Rhode Island is listed here.
Early Voting
Rhode Island offers early voting.
- Early voting begins 20 days before Election Day (October 18, 2023). More information on early voting in Rhode Island can be found here.
Election Day Practices
On Election Day, most polls are open 7am-8pm. Check here for your polling location’s specific hours.
This page was last updated on July 20, 2023
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