Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

The Federal Post Card Application registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all local, State, and Federal elections held through the next regularly scheduled general election. If you do not wish to receive ballots for that length of time, you may request a ballot for each election for Federal office held.

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to Rhode Island's voter registration verification website. Registration is not required, you still need to complete the form to receive an absentee ballot. You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your State requires.

Open Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you.

Block 2: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed FPCA indicating your new party preference to the local election
official on or before the 90th day before the election. Political party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle). Previous name, if applicable.

Block 4: Date of Birth

Your current and valid Rhode Island Driver's License number OR the last four digits of your Social Security number is required for voter registration for first time voter registration by mail or third party. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers, the State shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes.

Block 5: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 6: Rhode Island allows you to receive your absentee ballot by mail, fax, or electronically via download from a secure website. In order to receive your ballot by fax, you must fax your FPCA to the Secretary of State. Please rank your preference of how you would like to receive your absentee ballot. Provide your fax number in Block 5. If you do not make a selection, then your local election official will mail your ballot to you.

Block 7: Complete street address of your Rhode Island voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 9. This address must be within the city or town where you
claim legal voting residence.

Block 8: Complete address where you want your ballot sent.

Block 9: Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this application.

Affirmation: Sign and date. No witness or notary required.

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to your local election official. Find your county or city in the list below to locate your election official.

Open Election Official Address List

Don't know your county? Go to the county finder.

Don't know your zip code? Go to the United States Postal Service website.

Optional: You may be able to use the Postage-Paid Envelope Template.

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage paid envelope may be used if mailed in the U.S. Postal System, which includes all U.S. Military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas or through the diplomatic pouch available at U.S. embassies/consulates. Affix appropriate postage if using international mail. Template must be printed on a number 10 or larger envelope.

Fax

If you choose to fax, it is recommended that you fax the form directly to the Secretary of State at 401.222.1444. You may also use our toll-free fax service by completing this Fax Coversheet and then fax the coversheet and form to:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703) 693-5527,
DSN 223-5527

Outside the U.S.? Show me a list of toll-free fax numbers.

Open Fax Coversheet

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• Want to return your voted ballot by fax? See Step 2 for instructions.
• If you have not received your absentee ballot in a timely manner use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
• In addition to mailing a regular ballot, Rhode Island provides an official State blank ballot 45 days before an election if the official ballot is not yet available.