Voter ID

Beginning in 2012, poll workers will ask you to show a current and valid ID when you vote at your polling place. Voter ID strengthens the public's faith in the integrity of our elections by enabling poll workers to match a voter's face to the name they give at the polls.

Acceptable Photo IDs include:

• RI driver’s license
• U.S. passport
• ID card issued by an educational institution in the United States
• U.S. military identification card
• ID card issued by the U.S. government or State of Rhode Island like a RIPTA bus pass
• Government-issued medical card
• RI Voter ID
• Employee ID card
• ID card provided by a commercial establishment
• Credit or debit card
• Health club ID card
• Insurance plan ID card
• Public housing ID card

If you do not bring a Photo ID, you can use certain non-Photo IDs. The ID must include your name and address as it appears in the poll book and be dated since Nov. 2, 2010, unless the document is intended to be of a permanent nature such as a birth certificate, Social Security card or a government issued medical card, then only your name is required. The IDs include:

• Birth certificate
• Social security card
• Government-issued medical card
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Document issued by a government agency
• Lease or rental statement
• Student ID
• Tuition statement or bill
• Insurance plan card

Protecting your vote:

• We will provide a free Photo ID to voters who don't have one
• No eligible voter will be turned away at the polls. Voters who do not bring an acceptable ID to their polling place can vote using a standard Provisional Ballot. The ballot will be counted if the signature they give at their polling place matches the signature on their voter registration
• Mail ballots do not require ID
• Beginning in 2014, only Photo IDs will be accepted at the polls

Resources

How to Obtain a Free Voter ID

Get E-alerts about Voter ID

Press Release

State Law

Rules & Regs for Obtaining a Free Voter ID