Rhode Island
Population
1,059,361
Voting-Age Pop.
789,062
Last Presidential Election (2016)
Important Dates
Election Date
Nov 3, 2020
Registration Deadline
Oct 4, 2020
USPS recommends mailing your ballot no later than October 27.
Source: USPS.com
Key Election Information
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Yes
Online Registration
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Early VotingYes
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Same-Day Registration See additional information belowPartial
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ID RequiredYes
Voter Resources
Register to vote today
Ahead of Election Day, make sure you’re registered to vote and your voting record is up to date. Check out state resources here.
Absentee/Mail-In Voting
Absentee/Mail-In Voting
All registered, active Rhode Island voters will receive a mail ballot application for the general election.
Election Rules & Requirements
Early Voting
Can you vote early in this state?
In the 20 days leading up to Election Day, you can vote in person at your city or town hall during its regular business hours. The early voting period for the November general election is Oct 14 to Nov 2.
Same-Day Registration
Can you register on Election Day?
Rhode Island allows for same-day voter registration for the presidential election only.
Voter ID Requirements
Is an ID required to vote?
Rhode Island requires all voters to present valid photo identification prior to voting at the polls. The Rhode Island secretary of state's office is issuing free voter photo ID cards to individuals who do not possess any of the valid photo IDs listed. Any voter who is unable to present valid identification at the polls will be required to cast a provisional ballot.
Acceptable Forms of Identification
Make sure you're ready on Election Day with the appropriate forms of identification. Acceptable forms of ID are listed here.
Data source - elections.ri.gov
Federal
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US Passport
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US Military ID
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ID Card
Issued by the US
State
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Driver's License or Permit
Issued by the State of Rhode Island
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RI Voter ID Card
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ID Card
Issued by the State of Rhode Island
Other
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Educational ID
ID issued by a US educational institution
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Government Issued Medical Card
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Tribal ID
Additional Voting Resources
Voter eligibility Voting accessibility Military/overseas voting Additional rules & requirementsCovid-19 Voting Resources
Covid-19 Voting
Voting resources regarding Covid-19 are developing.
US Elections FAQ
US Elections, Explained
What you should know about what's happening with the 2020 election and how it all works.
Citizen by CNN
This guide is part of Citizen by CNN, a civic engagement platform that convenes people around issues that matter to them, helping them stay informed and engaged in the political process.
Citizen and the Voter Guide are just one example of the many ways CNN Politics connects you to the tools and resources you need to participate in the 2020 presidential election.