RIC Library Guide for Voting

Voting is more than just choosing a candidate. It is also choosing the right policies and people who reflect your interests when determining decisions that will affect your community, state, and nation. When you vote, you are participating in decisions related to health, immigration, gender equality, right to vote, infrastructure, employment, education, social security, security for our communities, taxes, etc.

Rhode Island offers online voter registration. In order to register online, you need:

• Your Rhode Island DMV issued driver's license or State ID number

• Your name as it appears on your Rhode Island driver's license or State ID card

• Your date of birth

Or, you can register by mail to vote in Rhode Island by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer. Registering in person can also be done by bringing the registration form into your local Board of Canvassers. Same day voter registration is ONLY ALLOWED FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

2024 Registration Deadlines

• Online registration deadline: Sunday, October 6, 2024

• Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked by Sunday, October 6, 2024

• In person registration deadline: Sunday, October 6, 2024

This guide was developed by Rhode Island College students Brittney Lawson, Brenda Ortiz, Karla Rodriguez Morales, and Alexia Sterpis, as part of their American Government course with Professor Perri Leviss (Political Science), in partnership with Professor Amy Barlow (Librarian for Political Science).

The authors note that while the majority of information contained in this guide is specific to voting guidelines for the state of Rhode Island, some of the resources are national. The majority is state-specific.

Updated: 07/30/2024