PROVIDENCE, RI -- Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is reminding voters that this Tues., Oct. 12, is the deadline to apply for a mail ballot for November's election.
Registered voters who will be absent from the state on Election Day or who are unable to vote in a polling place because of illness or disability are eligible to apply.
“Thousands of requests have already been certified. We expect to receive more than 8,000 by Tuesday's deadline,” said Mollis.
The one-page mail ballot application form is posted on the Secretary of State's website at sos.ri.gov. Voters can also request an application by contacting the Secretary of State's office or their local board of canvassers.
“My priority is to use technology to make it easier for people to vote. Now anyone with access to a computer can download an application 24/7,” said Mollis.
Voters must ensure that their local board of canvassers receives their original signed and completed application by 4 p.m., Oct. 12 in order to be eligible for a mail ballot.
After Oct. 12, voters who find that they will unexpectedly be out-of-town on Election Day can go to their city or town hall through Nov. 1 and request an Emergency Ballot.
Tues., Nov. 2 is Election Day. Voters can also use the Secretary of State's website at sos.ri.gov to find their polling place, review a sample ballot, confirm the accuracy of their voter registration information and find contact information for their local board of canvassers.
The Secretary of State’s office prepares the ballots for all federal, state and municipal elections held in Rhode Island. In addition, the office maintains the statewide voter registration list and distributes handbooks that explain how to run for office, how to register to vote and how to vote.
Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier to vote, helping business grow and making government more open and accessible. For more information about voting by mail, contact 222-2340 or elections@sos.ri.gov.
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