Voter registration deadline is Sunday, Oct. 4

The deadline to update your voter record or register to vote before Rhode Island’s general election on Nov. 3 is fast approaching. Rhode Islanders must be registered to vote 30 days before an election to participate. That means eligible Rhode Island residents have until 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, to act in time to participate in the upcoming local, state and federal elections.

Registration can be completed online at vote.ri.gov, or by mailing or dropping off a paper form in person at your local board of canvassers office. 

As of September, over 695,021 eligible voters were registered, according to the Rhode Island Department of State’s online database. About 52% were registered independents, while Democrats comprised 34% of those registered, and Republicans made up 14%.

Close behind the registration deadline is a second key date: the deadline to apply for a mail ballot. Applications are already available online, due back no later than 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. Applications sent by mail must be postmarked by the Oct. 13 deadline. 

Early voting begins Oct. 14 and runs through 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.

For more information about upcoming elections and key deadlines, visit the Department of State website.