Rhode Island

Rhode Island

elections.ri.gov/

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Federal Election Deadlines

Presidential Primary April 2, 2024 State Primary September 10, 2024 General Election November 5, 2024
Registration March 3, 2024 August 11, 2024 October 6, 2024
Ballot Request Received by* March 12, 2024 Received by** August 20, 2024 Received by*** October 15, 2024
Ballot Return Received by April 5, 2024 Received by** September 13, 2024 Received by November 12, 2024

*The early voting period/emergency mail ballot period for the Presidential Primary runs from March 13th through 4:00 PM April 1st. Contact your local board of canvassers for more details.

**The early voting period/emergency mail ballot period for the State Primary runs from August 21st through 4:00 PM September 9th. Contact your local board of canvassers for more details.

***The early voting period/emergency mail ballot period for the General Election runs from October 16th through 4:00 PM November 4th. Contact your local board of canvassers for more details.

Please mail your voting materials early enough to account for mail delivery times. Check the recommended mailing dates section in Chapter 1 for details.

Important information

What is UOCAVA?

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members and other U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. The law provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements for federal offices.

What is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?

The FPCA (Federal Standard Form 76) allows UOCAVA citizens to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. This form is also used to update your contact information.

What is the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?

The FWAB (Federal Standard Form 186) serves as an emergency backup ballot for UOCAVA citizens. If you do not receive your absentee ballot from your state in time to return it to your election official to participate in the election, use the FWAB.

What is the Prepaid Mail Label 11- DoD?

Overseas Uniformed Service members can use this label for general election absentee ballots. It provides free express mail service to your election official for general election absentee ballots. You can request to have a Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to your absentee ballot at Military Postal Office locations (APO/FPO). Keep part of the tracking label to track your absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.

What is a primary election?

A primary election is an election held before the general election to determine the candidates that can be placed on the general election ballot.

I am an American citizen, but I have never lived in the U.S., can I vote in this state?

A U.S. citizen who has never resided in the U.S. and has a parent or legal guardian who was last domiciled in Rhode Island, is eligible to vote as a "federal voter" and may vote for federal offices only.

I am a National Guardsman activated on state orders; does my state afford me UOCAVA privileges?

Yes.

How can I check the status of my ballot?

You can check the status of your absentee ballot here:
vote.ri.gov

Does my state have any online tools?

You can see if your state has any online tools available here:
https://www.fvap.gov/rhode-island

Registering and requesting your absentee ballot

Under federal law, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) temporarily registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for a minimum of all federal elections in the current calendar year. Be sure to complete a new FPCA each year and every time your address changes.

Complete the following sections of the FPCA

Section 1

Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.
You must provide your Rhode Island-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers, you must enter in Section 6: "I do not have a Social Security Number or Rhode Island-issued ID number."

Section 2

Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.

Section 3

Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.

Section 4

Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by online or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.

Section 5

A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
B. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party ballot you want to receive. Political party affiliation is not required if requesting an absentee ballot for general elections.

Section 6

Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots.

Section 7

Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.

Section 1

Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.
You must provide your Rhode Island-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers, you must enter in Section 6: "I do not have a Social Security Number or Rhode Island-issued ID number."

Section 2

Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.

Section 3

Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.

Section 4

Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by online or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.

Section 5

A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
B. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party ballot you want to receive. Political party affiliation is not required if requesting an absentee ballot for general elections.

Section 6

Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots.

Section 7

Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.

How and where to submit your FPCA

You can submit the FPCA by mail, email, or fax. Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.

Mail your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Mail your FPCA directly to your election official.

E-Mail your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Scan the signed FPCA into your computer. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet". Email this package directly to your election official at uocava@elections.ri.gov.

Fax your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Fax your FPCA directly to your election official. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet".

To find out the status of your FPCA, contact your election official. Your election official will contact you if your FPCA is not accepted.

Voting your ballot

Once you receive your absentee ballot from your state it must be returned according to the deadlines and requirements in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart. For special federal elections, visit FVAP.gov for specific deadlines.

You can submit the state absentee ballot by mail, email, or fax (fax only if you requested your absentee ballot by fax).

Mail your ballot directly to:

Rhode Island Board of Elections
2000 Plainfield Pike
Cranston, RI 02921

Email your ballot to uocava@elections.ri.gov.

Fax (fax only if you requested your absentee ballot by fax) your ballot directly to the State Board of Elections at 401-222-6529.

Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section.

Haven't received your ballot? Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

You must be registered to vote and have already requested a state absentee ballot in order to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

You can use the FWAB to vote in all elections for federal, state and local offices, including ballot measures.

Complete the following sections of the FWAB's voter information page

Section 1

Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.

Section 2

Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registered to vote. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.

Section 3

Enter your current mailing address. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.

Section 4

Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB.

Section 5

A. Do not check "Yes" or "No." The FWAB cannot be used for voter registration or as a ballot request.
B. If you want to register to vote, request a ballot, or receive voting materials, you must submit an FPCA to your election official.
C. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party primary in which you are voting. Political party affiliation is not required if voting an absentee ballot in general elections.

Section 6

Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form.

Section 7

Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.

Section 1

Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.

Section 2

Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registered to vote. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.

Section 3

Enter your current mailing address. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.

Section 4

Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB.

Section 5

A. Do not check "Yes" or "No." The FWAB cannot be used for voter registration or as a ballot request.
B. If you want to register to vote, request a ballot, or receive voting materials, you must submit an FPCA to your election official.
C. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party primary in which you are voting. Political party affiliation is not required if voting an absentee ballot in general elections.

Section 6

Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form.

Section 7

Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.

Vote your FWAB

To vote, write in either a candidate's name or political party for each office. You are not required to make a selection for each and every contest.

How and where to submit your FWAB

You can submit the FWAB by mail, email, or fax (fax only if you requested your absentee ballot by fax). Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.

Mail your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fold along the dotted line and seal the completed "Official Backup Ballot", do not write on the "Official Ballot" envelope. Insert the sealed "Official Ballot" envelope and the "Voter Information" page into the mailing envelope and mail your FWAB directly to:

Rhode Island Board of Elections
2000 Plainfield Pike
Cranston, RI 02921

Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section or online at FVAP.gov.

Email your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Scan the signed "Voter Information" page, the "Official Backup Ballot" and the "Transmission Cover Sheet", found at the end of Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov, into your computer. Be sure to also sign the secrecy waiver on the "Transmission Cover Sheet". Email this ballot package directly to your election official at uocava@elections.ri.gov.

Fax your FWAB: (fax only if you requested your absentee ballot by fax). Fax your FWAB directly to the State Board of Elections at 401-222-6529. Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fax the signed "Voter Information" page, the "Official Backup Ballot" and the "Transmission Cover Sheet", found at the end of Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov, directly to your election official. Be sure to also sign the secrecy waiver on the "Transmission Cover Sheet".

See the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart for the deadline for submitting the FWAB. If you receive the state absentee ballot after transmitting your voted FWAB, you may also vote and return the state absentee ballot. If both are received by the deadline, only the state absentee ballot will be counted.

Local election offices for citySearch Offices

City Mailing Address
Central Falls Central Falls Board of Canvassers
580 Broad St
Central Falls, RI 02863
Phone: (401) 727-7450
Fax: (401) 724-2031
Cranston Cranston Board of Canvassers
869 Park Ave
Cranston, RI 02910
Phone: (401) 780-3121
Fax: (401) 780-3125
East Providence East Providence Board of Canvassers
145 Taunton Ave
East Providence, RI 02914
Phone: (401) 435-7502
Fax: (401) 435-1909
Newport Newport Board of Canvassers
43 Broadway
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: (401) 845-5386
Fax: (401) 848-5750
Pawtucket Pawtucket Board of Canvassers
137 Roosevelt Ave
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 722-1637
Fax: (401) 729-9499
Providence Providence Board of Canvassers
25 Dorrance St
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 421-0495
Fax: (401) 421-9397
Warwick Warwick Board of Canvassers
3275 Post Rd
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 738-2010
Fax: (401) 732-3439
Woonsocket Woonsocket Board of Canvassers
169 Main St, PO Box B
Woonsocket, RI 02895
Phone: (401) 767-9221
Fax: (401) 767-9226

Local election offices for townSearch Offices

Town Mailing Address
Barrington Barrington Board of Canvassers
283 County Rd
Barrington, RI 02806
Phone: (401) 247-1900 x1
Fax: (401) 247-3765
Bristol Bristol Board of Canvassers
10 Court St
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: (401) 253-7000 x2
Fax: (401) 253-2647
Burrillville Burrillville Board of Canvassers
105 Harrisville Main St
Harrisville, RI 02830
Phone: (401) 568-4300 x7
Fax: (401) 568-0490
Charlestown Charlestown Board of Canvassers
4540 South County Trail
Charlestown, RI 02813
Phone: (401) 364-1200
Fax: (401) 364-1238
Coventry Coventry Board of Canvassers
1670 Flat River Rd
Coventry, RI 02816
Phone: (401) 822-9150
Fax: (401) 822-9132
Cumberland Cumberland Board of Canvassers
45 Broad St
Cumberland, RI 02864
Phone: (401) 475-9040
Fax: (401) 724-1103
East Greenwich East Greenwich Board of Canvassers
PO Box 111, 125 Main St
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: (401) 886-8603
Fax: (401) 886-8625
Exeter Exeter Board of Canvassers
675 Ten Rod Rd
Exeter, RI 02822
Phone: (401) 294-2287
Fax: (401) 295-1248
Foster Foster Board of Canvassers
181 Howard Hill Rd
Foster, RI 02825
Phone: (401) 392-9200 x1
Fax: (401) 702-5010
Glocester Glocester Board of Canvassers
1145 Putnam Pike, PO Box B
Chepachet, RI 02814
Phone: (401) 568-6206 x0
Fax: (401) 568-5850
Hopkinton Hopkinton Board of Canvassers
One Townhouse Rd
Hopkinton, RI 02833
Phone: (401) 377-7777 x1
Fax: (401) 377-7788
Jamestown Jamestown Board of Canvassers
93 Narragansett Ave
Jamestown, RI 02835
Phone: (401) 423-9801
Fax: (401) 423-7230
Johnston Johnston Board of Canvassers
1385 Hartford Ave
Johnston, RI 02919
Phone: (401) 553-8856
Fax: (401) 553-8862
Lincoln Lincoln Board of Canvassers
PO Box 100, 100 Old River Rd
Lincoln, RI 02865
Phone: (401) 333-1140
Fax: (401) 333-3648
Little Compton Little Compton Board of Canvassers
PO Box 226, 40 Commons
Little Compton, RI 02837
Phone: (401) 635-4400
Fax: (401) 635-2470
Middletown Middletown Board of Canvassers
350 East Main Rd
Middletown, RI 02842
Phone: (401) 849-5540
Fax: (401) 845-0406
Narragansett Narragansett Board of Canvassers
25 Fifth Ave
Narragansett, RI 02882
Phone: (401) 782-0625
Fax: (401) 783-9637
New Shoreham New Shoreham Board of Canvassers
PO Box 220, 16 Old Town Rd
New Shoreham, RI 02807
Phone: (401) 466-3200
Fax: (401) 466-3219
North Kingstown North Kingstown Board of Canvassers
100 Fairway Dr.
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Phone: (401) 268-1553
Fax: (401) 583-4140
North Providence North Providence Board of Canvassers
2000 Smith St
North Providence, RI 02911
Phone: (401) 232-0900 x1230
Fax: (401) 719-1609
North Smithfield North Smithfield Board of Canvassers
83 Greene St
North Smithfield, RI 02896
Phone: (401) 767-2200 x504
Fax: (401) 356-4057
Portsmouth Portsmouth Board of Canvassers
2200 East Main Rd
Portsmouth, RI 02871
Phone: (401) 683-3157
Fax: (401) 683-2107
Richmond Richmond Board of Canvassers
5 Richmond Townhouse Rd
Wyoming, RI 02898
Phone: (401) 539-9000 x9
Fax: (401) 539-1089
Scituate Scituate Board of Canvassers
PO Box 328, 195 Danielson Pike
North Scituate, RI 02857
Phone: (401) 647-2822 x1
Fax: (401) 647-7220
Smithfield Smithfield Board of Canvassers
64 Farnum Pike
Esmond, RI 02917
Phone: (401) 233-1000 x116
Fax: (401) 232-7244
South Kingstown South Kingstown Board of Canvassers
180 High St
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 789-9331 x1231
Fax: (401) 788-9792
Tiverton Tiverton Board of Canvassers
343 Highland Rd
Tiverton, RI 02878
Phone: (401) 625-6703
Fax: (401) 625-6705
Warren Warren Board of Canvassers
514 Main St
Warren, RI 02885
Phone: (401) 245-7340 x4
Fax: (401) 245-7421
West Greenwich West Greenwich Board of Canvassers
280 Victory Hwy
West Greenwich, RI 02817
Phone: (401) 392-3800 x108
Fax: (401) 392-3805
West Warwick West Warwick Board of Canvassers
1170 Main St
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 827-9038
Fax: (401) 822-9266
Westerly Westerly Board of Canvassers
45 Broad St
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 348-2503
Fax: (401) 348-2571