Sunday, Oct. 6, is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election. (Getty image)
The election clock is ticking, with just over a month till the Nov. 5 general election and even less time for voter registration and mail ballot application deadlines.
Rhode Islanders must be registered to vote 30 days before an election to participate. That means eligible Rhode Island residents have until Sunday, Oct. 6, to register to vote 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 municipal board of canvassers office. Each municipality also has a designated drop-off location that will be open on Sunday for completed voter registration forms.
As of this month, more than 723,000 eligible voters were registered, according to the Rhode Island Department of State’s online database. Nearly half, 48%, were registered independents, while Democrats comprised 38% 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. 15. Applications sent by mail must be postmarked by the Oct. 15 deadline.
If you miss the voter registration deadline, you can register to vote on Election Day but you will only be able to vote for president and vice president. You will not be able to vote in any state, local, or other federal races. You can only register and vote on Election Day at the location designated by your local board of canvassers.
For more information about upcoming elections and key deadlines, visit the Department of State website.
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