Primary Election: Sept. 8 Voters will be asked to narrow the field for the City's non-partisan City Council. No other primary contests will be on the ballot.
General Election: Nov. 3 Voters will be asked to cast ballots for local, state, and federal contests In order to vote in the General Election, you have to be registered by Oct. 4. βTo vote by mail, please submit an application no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 13. (Download the application here, or contact the Secretary of State’s office at 401-222-2340.)
Early voting is available 20 days before both the primary and general election. Anyone who hasn't applied for a mail ballot may vote in-person at City Hall, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (except legal holidays). No appointment is necessary.
This is a great option if you are unable to vote at your usual polling place on Election Day, or if you have run out of time to request a mail ballot. Voting early in-person is very similar to voting at a polling place. Just follow these steps outlined by the Secretary of State's Office to cast your ballot.
Early voting period September State Primary: August 19 – September 8
Early voting period November General Election: October 14 – November 2
Every election, millions of voters around the country, including our military and overseas voters, cast their ballots by mail. This year, due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, Rhode Island voters are being encouraged to vote by mail. The Secretary of State's Office has compiled a helpful guide for mail voting, which can be downloaded here. The first step to voting from home is requesting a mail ballot by completing and returning a mail ballot application (download one here), which will be sent automatically to every registered voter shortly after the Sept. 8th primary. In order to vote by mail in the General Election, mail ballot applications must be submitted to the Board of Canvassers no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 13. Newport residents may also return their mail ballot application by using the City's official drop box located on Bull Street, or via mail directly to the Board of Elections by using the return addressed envelop included with your ballot.
Rhode Island now accepts online voter registrations. You may register to vote or update your voter registration online by using the Secretary of State's website: https://vote.sos.ri.gov.
If you move or change your name you are required to update your voter registration.
If you have moved out of state or otherwise wish to cancel your voter registration, please submit an Affidavit for Cancellation and Removal to our office.
Whether you're looking to register to vote, need to change your registration or request an emergency ballot, our office is here to help. Click below for some of our more commonly used forms and feel free to reach out with any other questions to (401) 845-5386 or (401) 845-5384.
Absent service members, and their eligible family members, as well as citizens residing overseas may be eligible to vote using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). To determine your eligibility or obtain additional information please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program's Voter Assistance Guide at: https://www.fvap.gov/guide