No Early Voting in RI: But Voters Can Pick Up Emergency Ballots Now and Vote at City Hall

NEWPORT, RI — Massachusetts kicked off early voting for the first time ever today, while Rhode Island opted to wait it out until Nov. 8. But although no polling places will open for early voting here, Ocean State residents who want to cast a ballot before Election Day can still apply for an emergency ballot.

Go to the Board of Canvassers' office, bring a picture ID, fill out the application, and vote right there, according to the Newport clerk.

Or, request a mail ballot. But realize those must be received by the State Board of Elections, 50 Branch Ave., Prov., by 8 p.m. Nov. 8.

The deadline for applying for a regular mail ballot lapsed on Oct. 18. So, as of Oct. 19, the local canvassers accepted applications for emergency mail ballots. That continues until Nov. 7 at 4 p.m.

But by "signing the Emergency Ballot Application," the instructions say, "you will be certifying, under the pains and penalty of perjury, that 'on account of circumstances manifested twenty (20) days or less prior to the election for which I make this application, I will be unable to vote at the polls'.

It's sufficient to cite a possibility you may not be able to go to the polling place on Election Day.