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Elections & Voting
148 West River Street
Providence, RI 02904-2615
Phone: (401) 222-2340
Fax: (401) 222-1444
TTY: 711

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Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Home > Elections & Voting > Voter ID > Get a Free Voter ID

Will you need a Voter ID?

Beginning this year, poll workers will ask you for ID when you vote.

You will NOT need a VOTER ID card if you already have one of these photo IDs:

  • RI driver’s license
  • U.S. passport
  • ID card issued by an educational institution in the United States
  • U.S. military ID
  • 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 don’t have one of those Photo IDs, we will provide you with a free one. You must bring one of these types of current and valid IDs:

  • 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;

If you don’t have one of those types of current and valid IDs, you must bring one of the following documents. It must show your name and be dated since the date of the last general election, unless the document is intended to be of a permanent nature such as a pardon or discharge:

  • Utility bill;
  • Bank statement;
  • Government paycheck;
  • Document issued by a government agency;
  • Official elections document issued by a government agency, dated for the election in which the registered voter is providing it as proof of identity;
  • Voter notification issued by a governmental agency;
  • Public housing ID card issued by a governmental agency;
  • Lease or rental statement or agreement issued by a governmental agency;
  • Student ID card issued by a governmental institution/agency or non-governmental institution/agency;
  • Tuition statement or bill issued by a governmental agency;
  • Insurance plan card or drug discount card issued by a government agency;
  • Discharge certificates, pardons, or other official documents issued to the registered voter by a governmental agency in connection with the resolution of a criminal case, indictment, sentence or other matter;
  • Public transit authority senior citizen and disabled discount ID card issued by a governmental agency;
  • ID documents issued by governmental disability agencies;
  • ID documents issued by homeless shelters and other temporary or transitional facilities;
  • Drug prescription issued by a government doctor or other governmental health care provider;
  • Property tax statement issued by a governmental agency;
  • Vehicle registration issued by a governmental agency; or
  • Vehicle certificate of ownership issued by a governmental agency

Where to Get a Free Voter ID

Registered voters who don’t have an acceptable current and valid Photo ID can get a free Voter ID at our office in Providence during normal business hours or at one of the following locations. To invite us to visit your community, contact us at 222-2340, TTY 711 or elections@sos.ri.gov.

  • May 2 - Mathieu Senior Center, Pawtucket, 9 am to 11:30 am
  • May 2 - Urban League Community Job Fair, Providence, 11 am to 2 pm
  • May 5 - Multi-Service Center for All, Providence, 10 am to noon