Registering to vote online in Rhode Island requires a Rhode Island Driver’s License or State ID card. If you don’t have these, you can print a voter registration application and mail it to your local Board of Canvassers.
You will need to select your political party affiliation on the online voter registration application or select “Unaffiliated.” The federal Help America Vote Act requires first-time Rhode Island voter registrants to provide a driver’s license number, Rhode Island ID card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. If you do not have any of these, indicate so on the application after printing.
If you do not provide this information or your driver’s license/Social Security number cannot be verified, you will be required to present one of the forms of identification listed below at the time of registration, before voting, or at the time of voting. Non-photo identification must contain the voter’s name and address. Even if you declared you do not have a Social Security Number or Rhode Island driver’s license, you will still need to present identification at the polls. Note that the list of acceptable identification at the polls on Election Day may differ from the list below. Please refer to the Voter ID Guide for a list of acceptable documents.
You can also register to vote by printing and mailing in a registration application. Applications in English and Spanish are available for you to download and print.
For first time registrants, acceptable forms of identification include: Rhode Island Driver’s License or Identification Card; Rhode Island Voter Identification Card; United States Passport; Identification issued by a United States educational institution; United States Military identification; Identification issued by the United States government or the State of Rhode Island; Government-issued medical card; Employee identification card; Identification issued by a commercial establishment; Credit or debit card; Student identification card from an accredited United States educational institution; Health club card; Insurance card; Public housing resident card.
Additionally, you may use a copy of the following documents, as long as the document includes the presenter’s name and current address and is dated since the last election, with the exception of documents that are permanent in nature such as a pardon or discharge papers: Utility bill; Bank statement; Government-issued document; Lease agreement; Student identification card or tuition bill from an accredited United States educational institution; Insurance card.
By signing the voter registration application, you are swearing under oath that you meet the eligibility requirements listed on the application. If you would like to register to vote in a state other than Rhode Island, you will need to contact that state’s election authority for registration information and procedures.
