NEW: Tuesday Is Mail Ballot Deadline for September Primary

NEW: Tuesday Is Mail Ballot Deadline for September Primary

Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is reminding voters that Tues., Aug. 21, at 4 p.m. is the deadline to submit a mail ballot application for the September primary to their local board of canvassers.

Registered voters who will be absent from the state on Sept. 11 or who are unable to vote at their polling place because of illness or disability are eligible to apply. In addition, thanks to a change in state law, voters can now apply for a so-called “no-excuse” mail ballot if they believe they will be unable to make it to the polls on the day of the primary.

“If you want to vote by mail, you’ve only got until Tuesday to make sure your local board of canvassers has received your application,” said Mollis. “More than 2,300 voters have already applied.”

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Mollis has posted the one-page mail ballot application form on his website at sos.ri.gov. Voters pick up an application at the Secretary of State's office or their local board of canvassers.

Local election officials will compare the signature on the application with the signature on the voter’s voter registration form. If the signatures match, a ballot will be mailed to the voter. Voters have until the day of the primary to fill out their ballot and return it to the state Board of Elections.

After Aug. 21, voters who unexpectedly find they will be unable to vote at their polling place can go to their city or town hall through Sept. 10 and request an Emergency Ballot.

The Sept. 11 primary will include Democratic and Republican contests for the U.S. House of Representatives as well as some General Assembly seats and municipal offices.

The primary is the next test of the state's new Voter ID law, but mail ballots do not require ID.

The Secretary of State's office prepares the ballots for all elections held in Rhode Island. In addition, the office maintains the statewide voter registration list, promotes voter registration and turnout and creates guides to running for office and voting.

Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier for Rhode Islanders to vote, making it easier to do business in Rhode Island and making government more open and accessible. For more information about this year's elections, visit sos.ri.gov or call (401) 222-2340.