Conducting a Voter Registration Drive in Rhode Island

Voter Registration Deadlines

  • Applications must be received or postmarked 30 days before Election Day.
  • Rhode Island has same-day registration but only for voting for President and Vice President.

Getting Started

Training Requirement: Rhode Island does not require training for registration drives.

Notification and Registration Requirements: Rhode Island does not have notification requirements for registration drives.

Compensation Restrictions: Do not pay registration drive participants based on how many registrations they collect. Do not incentivize people to register with anything of monetary value.

Obtaining Applications

State Form: The state mail-in voter registration application can be downloaded at the Board of Elections website here: elections.ri.gov/voter-registration

Federal Form: The federal mail-in voter registration application may be used in voter registration drives: eac.gov/voters/national-mail-voter-registration-form/

Photocopying Blank Forms: Blank applications may be photocopied and used in voter registration drives.

Handling Applications

Incomplete Applications: Do not fill in any missing information on a registration form unless you have permission from the applicant.

Photocopying Completed Applications: As a best practice, a voter’s full or partial Social Security number and/or driver’s license number should not be retained.

Submitting Completed Applications: All registration applications collected as part of a voter registration drive must be delivered by the 30th day preceding an election. The forms can be received by the State Board of Elections or the Local Board of Canvassers by the deadline. Local Board of Canvassers contact information can be found here: elections.ecms.ri.gov/about/local-boards-canvassers

Fair Elections Center and its Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed Rhode Island legal professional.

Last updated May 2025