KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Voter ID

QUICK TIPS FOR VOTERS

Check your voter registration status and locate your polling place by calling your local Board of Canvassers or by visiting https://vote.sos.ri.gov.
Bring photo ID to the polls. If you are a registered voter and do not have photo ID, you cannot be turned away and must be offered a provisional ballot instead.
Ask for help if you need it.
You do not need ID if you vote by mail ballot (in most cases). However, if you are a first-time registrant and did not provide a driver’s license or state ID, or the last four digits of your social security number, you will be asked to provide a copy of a photo ID.

Last Updated: August 2022

DO I HAVE TO SHOW ID?

A.DO I HAVE TO SHOW ID?

Rhode Island law requires you to show designated forms of photo ID in order to vote by regular ballot at the polls. If you are a registered voter and do not have photo ID, you can cast your vote with a provisional ballot, which is explained below.

WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE ANY ID?

A.WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE ANY ID?

If you believe you are registered to vote and don’t have acceptable ID, you can’t be denied the right to vote. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot and should be given one.
If you are not offered a provisional ballot, ask to speak with the person in charge at your polling place. If you are still not given a provisional ballot, contact your local Board of Canvassers, the State Board of Elections, or the Secretary of State.
If you have time and have ID at home or work, it's usually better to get your ID and return to the polls to cast a regular ballot.
For more information on obtaining a free voter ID, call the RI Department of State’s Election Division at (401) 222-2340 or send an email to elections@sos.ri.gov to make an appointment.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGULAR BALLOT AND A PROVISIONAL BALLOT?

A.WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGULAR BALLOT AND A PROVISIONAL BALLOT?

Unlike a regular ballot, a provisional ballot is not fed through the voting machine. Once the polls close, the Board of Canvassers will review the ballot to ensure you are eligible to vote. Usually, the ballot will be counted if the signature you provide (as part of the provisional ballot voting process) matches the one on your voter registration. If you vote by provisional ballot, polling officials are required to give you information explaining how to find out if your vote was counted.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PHOTO ID

A.ACCEPTED FORMS OF PHOTO ID

Accepted forms of ID must have a photograph but they do not need to include your current address. An expired ID is also acceptable if it expired less than six (6) months before voting.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

RI driver's license or permit
RI voter ID card
State or federal ID card
U.S. passport
U.S. military ID card
ID issued by any federally recognized tribal government
Student ID card from an educational institution located within the U.S.
Government-issued medical card