How to Register to Vote in Rhode Island

Originally posted 1/16/2016

​Like any citizen medical student, you might be wondering how to register to vote in your new state of residence.  Let us break down the 5 W’s of registering to vote in RI.

Who:  RI Resident… Including RI medical students!

What (do I need to register?):  Not a whole lot. You don't need to move anything over (like drivers license or car registration to RI). Just submit your voter registration form on time (30 days prior to election time) and bring your photo ID (i.e. driver’s license of any state, US passport, Brown ID card, gym card… basically any old card with your name and face on it) with you to your polling place.  You may also choose to send a copy of your eligible photo ID with your voter registration form.  You also have the option of obtaining a special Voter ID that can be used at any RI polling place.  

Come election day, if you forget your ID, you can still vote using a standard provisional ballot; this ballot will be counted if the signature given at the polling place matches the signature on your submitted voter registration form.

​When: At least 30 days prior to the primary or election in which you want to vote OR after you change your name or address.

Where: 

1. Obtain a voter registration form online, at any Citizen Physicians event, or from any one of your friendly Citizen Physicians leaders!
2. Mail your completed form to your local board of canvassers OR bring the form in person to any of the following RI locations: 
   1. Providence board of canvassers (open 9-4)
   2. DMV (when applying for license or other document)
   3. Agencies of public assistance including the Department of Human Services
   4. State-funded programs assisting people with disabilities
   5. Armed forces recruiting offices
3. Can’t make it to any of these locations?  Call your Board of Elections at 401-222-2345 for a complete list of options.
4. Won’t be around to vote?  File a Mail Ballot!  You can apply for a mail ballot 21 days before an election OR if emergency circumstances arise after this deadline, you can apply for an emergency mail ballot from your local board of canvassers until 4PM on the day before the election.  The emergency mail ballot must then be received by the state board of elections by 8PM on the day of the election.  Mail ballots can be used for a physical or mental disability that restricts voting access, confinement to a nursing home or hospital, military overseas, or for “no excuse” if you simply will not be able to vote at your assigned ballot place on the day of election.

How (do I know that I am registered?):  Your local board of canvassers will send you an acknowledgement notice within 3 weeks (you will also be notified if your registration does not meet requirements).  Still haven’t heard anything?  Enter your information at the RI Voter Information Center to view the status of your voter registration, party affiliation, your state and federal elected officials, and dates/addresses of all upcoming elections.

More Information:

• Providence RI Board of Canvassers:  http://www.providenceri.com/board-of-canvassers/ 
• RI Secretary of State:  http://sos.ri.gov/elections/voters/register/
• RI Voter Information Center:  https://sos.ri.gov/vic/search.php 

Why? Because you are an excellently engaged medical student wanting to make a difference and you understand that the well-being of our patients is heavily influence by the decisions made by our government!

Post Author: 
Shayla Durfey, a medical student at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and co-President of Citizen Physicians