Politics & Government

RI Launches Online App To Request Election Mail Ballots

Rhode Island is making it easier to vote by mail before the 2023 primary for the congressional special election.

To use the online application, residents must be registered Rhode Island voters with a state-issued driver's license or state identification card.
To use the online application, residents must be registered Rhode Island voters with a state-issued driver's license or state identification card. (Patch Graphics)

RHODE ISLAND — Secretary of State Gregg Amore and the RI Department of State Elections Division Tuesday launched a new online application portal for registered Rhode Island voters to request a mail ballot.

"Today's announcement is an important step forward in our work to modernize and strengthen our elections system," Amore said. "As Secretary of State, I will do everything I can to ensure the ballot box is accessible to all eligible voters, and this online application portal provides a new convenient and secure way to request a mail ballot."

To use the online application, residents must be registered Rhode Island voters with a state-issued driver's license or state identification card. The online mail ballot application portal can be accessed online, in English and in Spanish here.

Find out what's happening in Cranstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Online applications for mail ballots were authorized through the Let RI Vote Act, which was signed into law in June 2022.

"This is an exciting announcement that improves voter access by expanding the ways Rhode Islanders can apply for a mail ballot," state Rep. Katherine Kazarian (D-East Providence), who co-sponsored the bill said. "I'm proud to have sponsored the Let RI Vote Act and encourage Rhode Island voters to take advantage of this modernized application process."

Find out what's happening in Cranstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The process to complete and return a mail ballot is the same whether the ballot was requested through the online application portal or by a paper form. Paper applications are still available online and in person at local boards of canvassers and city or town halls.

The deadline to request a mail ballot for the Sept. 5 special congressional primary election is Aug. 15.

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