Register or update your record
Register or update your Rhode Island voter record by October 4. The Department of State says voters generally must be registered 30 days before an election.
Official voter resources
Make your Rhode Island voting plan
Use Rhode Island's official voter services to register, confirm your record, find an early-voting or Election Day location, request and track a mail ballot, review photo identification, and read the five statewide bond questions.
First steps
Start with these three actions
Vote early in person
Early in-person voting begins October 14 and continues through 4 p.m. on November 2 at the location designated by your city or town. Local hours vary, so check before traveling.
Request and return a mail ballot
The application deadline is October 13 at 4 p.m. The handbook describes the mailing rule, while the Board urges voters to ensure timely local-board receipt. The Board of Elections must receive the voted ballot by November 3 at 8 p.m.
Bring approved photo identification
In-person voters must present an approved photo ID. A voter without valid ID at an Election Day polling place may cast a provisional ballot. Identification is not required to vote by mail.
October 4registration deadline
October 14early voting begins
October 13 at 4 p.m.mail application deadline
November 3 at 8 p.m.mail ballot receipt deadline
Election timeline
Voter registration deadline
The official statewide schedule lists October 4 as the registration deadline for the November 3 general election.
Mail-ballot application deadline
Submit an online application by 4 p.m. The handbook says a mailed application may be postmarked by 4 p.m. on October 13 and must arrive within three business days. The Board's application page advises that the application must be physically at the local board by the deadline, so direct receipt is the safest course.
Early in-person voting begins
The 20-day early-voting and emergency-ballot period begins at city and town locations.
Early voting and emergency-ballot applications end
Early in-person voting ends, and emergency mail-ballot applications are due by 4 p.m. on the day before the election.
General Election Day
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide, except New Shoreham opens at 9 a.m. Voters in line by 8 p.m. may vote.
Mail-ballot receipt deadline
The Board of Elections must receive every mail ballot by 8 p.m. A postmark does not extend the receipt deadline.
Check the current rule: The Board's upcoming-elections table still marks part of the schedule as unofficial or proposed, while the official handbook and live voter pages publish the same October and November dates. A mailed application has a handbook postmark rule, but the Board's application page also tells voters the application must be physically at the local board by 4 p.m.; direct delivery or online submission avoids that conflict. Mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
5 statewide bond questions
All Rhode Island voters will decide five separate bond questions authorizing up to $600,000,000 in principal. The official handbook estimates $362,913,000 in interest and $962,913,000 in total costs under its 20-year, 5 percent assumption. Each question is approved or rejected separately.
- Question 1: Higher Education Facilities - $275,000,000$165,000,000 for a University of Rhode Island Integrated Health Building, $50,000,000 for Rhode Island College Adams Library renovations, and $60,000,000 for a Community College of Rhode Island Workforce Innovation Center.
- Question 2: Housing and Homeownership - $120,000,000Funds affordable and accessible housing, redevelopment, new construction, acquisition, and infrastructure. At least $25,000,000 is directed to homeownership production, and up to $10,000,000 may support public housing development.
- Question 3: Economic Development - $100,000,000$55,000,000 for site development and $45,000,000 for infrastructure supporting ocean, defense, life sciences, data analytics, and related growth industries.
- Question 4: Cultural Economy - $50,000,000$45,000,000 for a new Rhode Island State History Center and $5,000,000 for the State Preservation Grants Program.
- Question 5: Green Economy Bonds - $55,000,000$3,000,000 for brownfields, $12,000,000 for facility improvements, $1,000,000 for local recreation, $1,000,000 for marine infrastructure, $25,000,000 for the Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund, $7,000,000 for Narragansett Bay watershed restoration, $3,000,000 for farmland preservation, and $3,000,000 for open space.
No statewide judicial elections or retention questions
Rhode Island voters do not elect or retain state judges. The Rhode Island Judiciary says judges are appointed for life by the Governor from Judicial Nominating Commission lists, with legislative approval. Accordingly, the November 3 statewide scope contains zero judicial ballot items.
Read the Rhode Island Judiciary selection explanationRead the 2026 Voter Information Handbook
The Department of State handbook brings together the statewide calendar, voting methods, polling hours, and explanations of all five bond questions.
Open the official voter handbookOfficial voter links
Upcoming ElectionsOfficial statewide date, registration deadline, mail application date, and early-voting start.Register to VoteOfficial registration methods and 30-day rule.Vote Early In PersonOfficial early-voting process, locations, and emergency-ballot deadline.Vote From HomeOfficial mail-ballot application, marking, tracking, and 8 p.m. return rules.Voter IDApproved photo identification and provisional-ballot guidance.2026 Voter Information HandbookOfficial statewide voting guide and bond-question explanations.2026 Bond Referenda LawEnacted Article 5 text with the five question titles, amounts, and allocations.Rhode Island Judiciary CareersOfficial explanation that state judges are appointed rather than elected.
Dates checked October 1, 2026. Confirm them at the linked official source.