Rhode Island Voter ID Law

Details of Rhode Island Voter ID Requirements

NOTE: RI’s new voter ID law takes effect in two stages. The first stage took effect on Jan. 1, 2012. The second stage will require photo ID beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

Rhode Island Voter ID Requirement

Any person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter who desires to vote at a primary, special or general election shall provide proof of identity.

Acceptable Forms of Rhode Island Voter ID

Effective January 1, 2012:

A valid and current document showing a photo of the person to whom it was issued, including:

  • RI driver’s license
  • RI voter identification card
  • U.S. passport
  • Identification card issued by a U.S. educational institution
  • U.S. military identification card
  • Identification card issued by the U.S. government or state of RI
  • Government-issued medical card

The following forms of ID will be acceptable until January 1, 2014, when only the photo IDs listed above will be accepted for voting.

A valid and current document without a photograph, including:

  • Birth certificate
  • Social security card
  • Government-issued medical card

 

Rhode Island Voters without Voter ID

If the person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter is unable to provide proof of identity as required, the person shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot pursuant to section 17-19-24.2. The local board shall determine the validity of the provisional ballot pursuant to section 17-19-24.3.

Summary of section 17-19-24.3:

The local board shall examine each provisional ballot application to determine if the signature matches the signature on the voter’s registration.  If the signatures match, the provisional ballot shall count.  If the signatures do not match, the ballot shall not count and shall be rejected as illegal.