Rhode Island
1 Check ID Rules
Rhode Island has different voter ID rules for:
Voting in Person
Voting by Mail
IDs for Voting in Person
Option 1: Show photo ID
Your ID:
- Must have your name and photo.
- Can be expired for up to 6 months.
- Does not need your current address.
You can show:
- Rhode Island driver’s license
- Rhode Island state ID card
- Rhode Island Voter ID card
- US passport or passport card
- Photo ID issued by Rhode Island or US government
- Tribal identification
- Military identification
- ID issued by an educational institution located in the United States
- Medical card issued by government
- RIPTA bus pass
Option 2: Ask for a Provisional Ballot
If you can’t show an accepted photo ID, ask to vote using a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots are a backup option to make sure eligible voters are not turned away.
Your provisional ballot counts if:
- Your signature on the envelope matches the one on file.
or
- You bring an accepted ID to your local Board of Canvassers the day after the election.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Rhode Island?
You still have options if you don’t have an accepted ID.
Vote by Mail
- Rhode Island doesn’t require ID for voting by mail.
Vote a Provisional Ballot
- Go to your assigned voting location.
- Ask to vote a provisional ballot and sign it.
- Confirm your ballot counts.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Rhode Island?
You must show a physical ID at the polls.
You cannot use an image, copy, digital, or mobile ID.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Rhode Island?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Rhode Island.
“REAL ID” is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards.
How to get a “REAL ID” in Rhode Island:
- You must appear in person to apply for your driver’s license or ID card.
- You must bring a variety of documents to prove your identity.
- Visit the Rhode Island DMV website to check what you need.
IDs for Voting by Mail
Any registered Rhode Island voter can request a mail ballot. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
You do not need to provide ID to vote by mail in Rhode Island.
Don’t forget to sign the ballot envelope. Your signature will be verified with the one on file.
