On Election Day eve, RI surpasses 17% voter turnout, with record early voting numbers

A record-setting number of Rhode Island voters have cast ballots in-person during the 20-day early voting period that ended at 4 p.m. Monday, according to the Rhode Island Department of State’s live voter turnout tracker.

The 111,901 people who voted at designated early voting polling places by the end of early voting Monday is more than double the early voting turnout from two years ago. In 2024, 55,700 registered voters took advantage of early in-person voting, while 34,200 did so in the 2022 midterm elections.

Adding in the 25,237 mail ballots received by the Rhode Island Board of Elections as of Monday, total early voting turnout surpassed 137,000, equal to 17.2% of the state’s  registered voters. 

In 2024, more than 227,000 voters cast ballots ahead of Election Day, with mail ballots the dominant choice, used by nearly 172,000 voters. 

This year, far fewer voters — just over 33,000 — requested mail ballots from state officials, reflecting escalating attacks by the Trump administration. While the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Trump’s attempt to restrict mail ballots in the midterm elections, the federal administration continues to try to assert authority over the elections, including discounting voters, in a series of federal lawsuits nationwide.

Amid the legal war and public perception problems, Rhode Island election administrators have put special emphasis on the safety and security of the state voting process, including for mail ballots.

“As early voting becomes more well-known and more voters try it, many find it to be a fast, convenient way to cast their ballot,” Secretary of State Gregg Amore said in an Oct. 26 statement on early voting. “I hope to see these high participation levels continue, and encourage every eligible voter to make their voice heard, whether via mail ballot, early in-person, or on Election Day.” 

First offered during the 2020 election cycle due to the pandemic, early, in-person voting and mail ballots were enshrined in state law ahead of the 2022 election cycle. 

More than 71,000 voters cast ballots early in the 2022 midterms, rising to almost 172,000 in 2024.

Mail ballots also grew in popularity, from 34,000 in 2022 to nearly 56,000 in 2024. 

Warwick led the state in total early turnout with 10,616 voters casting ballots as of noon Monday, closely followed by 10,311 voters in Providence. The capital city had also received the most ballots by mail, with 4,277 received as of noon Monday. Warwick had the most people voting early and in-person, with more than 7,942 ballots cast at the city’s designated polling place, the Warwick police station, by midday.

The town of New Shoreham reported the fewest ballots cast early, though the 418 submitted by mail or at in-person early voting represented nearly 37% of the town’s registered voters.

Mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day — delivered either to a local board of canvassers, the Rhode Island Board of Elections or a designated drop box. 

Polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day, with the exception of New Shoreham, which opens at 9 a.m. Polls close at 8 p.m. Information on polling locations and hours is available online.