Politics & Government

Portsmouth 2014 Voter FAQ

Everything you need to know about this year's election.

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IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION
The following list contains important dates and activities that Portsmouth voters should do now to prepare for the Primary elections to be held September 9, 2014.

1. Register to Vote

Deadline to register in order to vote in the September Primaries is August 10.

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Requirements:

Must be at least 18 (Preregistration available for 16 & 17 year olds.) Must be a US citizen and a resident of Rhode Island. The Portsmouth Canvassing Office will close at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 8.
Voter Registration forms will be available at the Portsmouth Free Public Library beginning Monday, July 28.
Canvassing staff will be at Clement’s Market on Sunday, August 10, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM to receive all registrations and answer voter questions.
Registrations received after 4:00 PM on August 10 will not be eligible to vote on September 9.

2. Find Out Your Voter Status

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Are you registered? Is your address correct? Is your name correct? Is your party affiliation correct? (only applicable to primaries) Make changes as needed. Registrar will be at Portsmouth Free Public Library on Monday, July 28, 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM to answer questions and receive registrations & applications for poll workers and mail ballots. There will be a copy of the current list of Portsmouth voters, registration forms, and applications available. This information is also available by contacting your local Board of Canvassers.

3. Find Out Your Polling Site Location

What is your precinct/ward/district? Who are the current representatives & candidates for this precinct/ward/district?

US Senate District 1
US Congressional District 1
RI General Assembly Senate District 11
RI General Assembly Representative Districts 69 - 72

Precincts & Polling Sites Representative Districts & Towns

2701 - Prudence Island Fire Station - Dist. 69
2702 - Portsmouth Multi-purpose Senior Center - Dist. 69

2703 - Common Fence Community Hall - Dist. 70

2704 - PHS Old Gymnasium - Dist. 71
2705 Melville School Cafeteria - Dist. 71

2706 Town Council Chambers - Dist 72
2707 St. Barnabas Church Parish Hall - Dist 72
2708 PMS Gymnasium - Dist 72

4. Apply for Absentee Ballots

Voters unable to go to the polls on Election Day can complete a Mail Ballot Application. All applications for the September primaries must be submitted to the local Canvassing office by 4:00 PM on August 19.

Military and overseas voters may request a ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This application is valid for one election cycle and expires on December 31 each year.

All applications are available online at www.sos.ri.gov or from your local Board of Canvassers.

5. Obtain Required Identification

Current RI State Law requires that one of the following photo IDs be presented at the polls:

RI driver’s license U.S. passport State of RI or U.S. government-issued ID card ID card from an educational institution in the U.S. U.S. military ID card Government-issued medical card Voter ID (photo ID, issued by the Secretary of State’s Office) Eligible voters who do not have a photo ID will not be turned away at the polls. They will be issued a provisional ballot. Photo IDs can be acquired through the following federal and local agencies:

RI Department of Motor Vehicles

Applications for U.S. passports can be obtained through the US Postal Service & online State of RI or U.S. government-issued ID card Students can obtain IDs from their RI schools U.S. military ID card issued to all active duty, retired personnel & dependents Government-issued medical card (Medicare or Medicaid)

6. Obtain a FREE VOTER ID

Officials from the RI Office of the Secretary of State will be traveling throughout the state, providing FREE VOTER IDs for those who do not have any of the above listed forms. They will be at Atria Aquidneck Place on Tuesday, August 12, 11:00AM to 1:00 PM.

Bring one of the following current and valid items to obtain this ID:

Employee ID card ID card provided by a commercial establishment Credit or debit card Military ID card Student ID card Health club ID card Insurance plan ID card Public housing ID card For a more comprehensive list of acceptable items, please visit www.sos.ri.gov or contact your local Board of Canvassers.

7. Make it a priority to VOTE.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 9. Polls open at 7:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM. One vote really does make a difference.

*Contact Information:
Rhode Island Office of the Secretary State— www.sos.ri.gov
Rhode Island State Board of Elections— www.elections.state.ri.us

Portsmouth Canvassing Authority— jschulz@portsmouthri.com or 683-3157

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