Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and Attorney General Peter F. Neronha are today reminding Rhode Islanders of their rights as voters ahead of the start of early voting for the November 5, 2024 general election.
The pair also released a guide, “Know Your Rights: Rhode Island Elections,” which outlines those rights and provides related resources.
“As Secretary of State, I’m committed to making sure every eligible Rhode Islander has the information they need to successfully cast their ballot, whether by mail, early in-person, or on Election Day,” Amore said. “I’m proud to continue our partnership with Attorney General Neronha, and hope Rhode Islanders will take a few moments to review this guide and ensure they understand their rights as voters.”
Neronha called voting “our most fundamental right as American citizens.”
“When we vote we choose our representation, we choose what we want for the future of our cities and towns, our state, and our country,” he said. “These choices alone can be difficult, and that’s why protecting the ability of our citizens to vote safely without intimidation or interference is so important.”
The guide outlines nine main voting rights in Rhode Island, including the right to vote without pressure or intimidation, the right to vote by mail for any reason, and the right to fix a mail ballot or mail ballot application if it is rejected.
Also included is the right to vote in-person before Election Day, the right to bring one of several different photo IDs to identify yourself at your voting location, and the right to request a provisional ballot if you are a registered voter and your name is not on the voter list at your designated polling place, or if you don’t have your acceptable photo ID.
The guide also notes that regardless of gender identity, Rhode Islanders can vote as soon as they are released from prison. Residents can also vote while they have been charged with a crime or are awaiting trial, sentencing or incarceration.
Finally, the guide outlines the right to bring someone with you to vote.
Amore and Neronha also encouraged anyone whose right to vote is interfered with through threats, intimidation or coercion to report it immediately using the Attorney General’s online complaint form or by calling the Voter Information Hotline at 2-1-1 and pressing 5.
The deadline to request a mail ballot is 4 p.m. today, October 15, 2024. Mail ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting will take place beginning tomorrow, October 16, until 4 p.m. on November 4.
Nine main voting rights in Rhode Island:
1. You have the right to vote without any pressure or intimidation.
2. You have the right to vote by mail for any reason.
3. You have the right to fix your mail ballot or mail ballot application if it is rejected.
4. You have the right to vote in-person before Election Day.
5. You have the right to bring one of many different photo IDs to identify yourself at your voting location.
6. You have the right to request a provisional ballot if you are a registered voter and your name is not on the voter list at your designated polling place, or if you don’t have your acceptable photo ID.
7. You have the right to vote regardless of your gender identity.
8. You have the right to vote as soon as you are released from prison and you may also vote while you have been charged with a crime or are awaiting trial, sentencing, or incarceration.
9. You have the right to bring someone with you to vote.
Voters looking to learn more about elections in Rhode Island can contact the RI Department of State by emailing elections@sos.ri.gov, calling 401-222-2340, or going online to vote.ri.gov. The 2-1-1 voter information hotline is also now available to Rhode Island voters.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
