Voters in Rhode Island need to show photo ID to confirm their identity when voting in person.
If you don’t have an acceptable photo ID, there may be other ways you can confirm your identity.
Most voters do not need a copy of their ID to vote by mail.
Is out-of-state ID accepted?
No!
You cannot use an ID issued by another state
Is student ID accepted?
Yes!
You can use a student ID issued by educational institutions located in the United States
Is an expired ID accepted?
Sometimes!
You can use your ID if it is expired less than 6 months, but it does not need to have your current address
ACCEPTABLE PHOTO ID
You can use the following photo IDs (not expired more than 6 months prior to voting):
If you don’t have one of the photo IDs listed above, you are eligible to receive a Rhode Island Voter ID card from the Secretary of State.
You can use this Voter ID card to cast your ballot. Check the FAQ below to learn more.
If you are a registered voter and do not have a photo ID that is acceptable for voting, you are eligible to receive a Voter ID card from the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
You will need to provide documents to prove your identity in order to receive an ID.
VoteRiders can give you free help to get the documents you need. Get help now!
Voters in Rhode Island must show photo ID to confirm their identity when voting in person.
If you are a registered voter and do not bring an acceptable ID, you may cast a provisional ballot.
You must provide the necessary documents to the Board of Canvassers before the close of business on the day after the election. Otherwise, the Board will compare the signature on your ballot to your signature on file to determine if your ballot counts.
Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Rhode Island.
Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law. You may also hear it called a “gold star” ID.
Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.
You may register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day, only on Election Day and only for President and Vice President, at the location in your town designated by your local Board of Canvassers. You must show an acceptable ID.
The Rhode Island DMV is open by appointment only.
Hours and locations are listed on the DMV website.
There are authorized third parties that may provide driver’s licenses and state IDs services, for which they charge a fee. Click here for more information.
You do not need a copy of your ID when you vote by mail in Rhode Island.
BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in Rhode Island, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.
Any registered Rhode Island voter can vote by mail. No excuse is required.
You do not need a copy of your ID when you vote by mail in Rhode Island.
BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in Rhode Island, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.
No, but the signature on your mail-in ballot must match your signature on file with the state.
If your mail ballot is found to be defective or deficient by election officials, you will be provided with notice and an opportunity to “cure” (fix) it.
If you omitted your signature, the Board of Elections will attempt to notify you by email (if known) and mail of the defect. You will be instructed to either appear at the Board of Elections office to correct the error or provide the information, or to provide an Omitted Signature Affidavit Form.
You must cure the missing or deficient information, which must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on the third day following the date of a Primary or seven days after the General Election Day.
The process works similarly in the case of a challenged signature or signature discrepancy.