2026 election

Voting in Rhode Island

Primary

Wednesday, September 9

Early voting

August 20 – September 8

Register by: August 10
Request a mail ballot by: August 19, 4pm
Mailed ballot must arrive by: September 9, 8pm

General

Tuesday, November 3

Early voting

October 14 – November 2

Register by: October 4
Request a mail ballot by: October 13, 4pm
Mailed ballot must arrive by: November 3, 8pm

See every race and candidate on your Rhode Island ballot, and where each one stands, before you vote.

Plan your ballot →

How to cast your ballot

By mail

Any registered voter may vote by mail — no reason needed.

Request a ballot Track your ballot The rules Where to drop it off

In person

Polls open on election day: 7am – 8pm
Or vote early: In the windows shown above

What counts as ID

You will be asked to show photo ID when voting in person in Rhode Island.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

Rhode Island driver's license/permit
Rhode Island voter ID card
US passport
ID issued by a school or college in the US
US military ID
ID issued by the US government or State of Rhode Island
tribal ID
government-issued medical card

If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be counted if the signature on your provisional ballot application matches your voter registration card. You have until the close of business the day after the election to provide information to the Board of Canvassers to help qualify your ballot.

Find your polling place Early voting

Before you can vote

Registering

Ways to register:

Rhode Island lets you pre-register from age 16, so you are on the roll the moment you turn 18.

Who can register, and what you need

To register in Rhode Island you must:

be a United States citizen
be a resident of Rhode Island and of the city or town where you wish to vote at least 30 days before the next election
be at least 16 years of age (you must be at least 18 years old on or before a general or special election to vote)
not currently be incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction
not have been lawfully judged to be mentally incompetent

Check if you are registered Register

Which primary can you vote in?

If you are affiliated with a political party in Rhode Island, you may only vote in that party's primary. If you are an unaffiliated voter, you must choose one party’s ballot when you vote. This will not affiliate you with a party.

Dates, deadlines and rules come from DemocracyWorks, last refreshed August 27, 2026; poll hours from our own election guide. Rules change — check with your election office before you rely on a date.