Request your absentee or mail ballot in Rhode Island

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online): 21 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (by mail): Received by 21 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): 21 days before Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day

1. Visit the Rhode Island absentee ballot website.
2. Fill out all of the required information.
3. Hit save or submit when you are done.
4. The deadline to apply online is 21 days before Election Day.

1. Download the Rhode Island absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. Your application must be received by 21 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 21 days before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
  • Online applications: You can request your absentee ballot online and must either provide your Rhode Island driver’s license OR non-driver ID number.
  • Paper applications: No ID is required. The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:

  Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected. Additionally, your voted ballot must be signed by 2 witnesses or a Notary Public.

Track your ballot here: Rhode Island absentee ballot tracker

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

Emergency Ballot Rules

Dates & Deadlines

• Emergency ballot request ends 4PM 1 day before Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day

Contact your local election office