Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 100 - Department of State
Chapter 20 - Elections
Subchapter 00 - N/A
Part 3 - Rules and Regulations of the Rhode Island Secretary of State Establishing the Procedure for the Issuance of Voter Identification Cards (100-RICR-20-00-3)
Section 100-RICR-20-00-3.3 - Procedure to Obtain a Voter ID Card

Universal Citation: 100 RI Code of Rules 20 00 3.3

Current through September 18, 2024

A. All Rhode Island Voters who do not possess any of the current and valid Voter Identifications listed in § 3.3(B) of this Part are eligible to obtain a Voter ID Card by submitting a Voter ID Application to the Department of State.

B. Voters who possess one of the following forms of current and valid photo identification will not be eligible to acquire a Voter ID Card because they already possess a current and valid identification for voting:

1. Rhode Island driver's license/permit;

2. United States passport;

3. Identification card issued by any federally recognized tribal government;

4. Identification card issued by a United States educational institution;

5. United States military identification card;

6. Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island; or

7. Government issued medical card

C. Voters who do not possess one of the forms of current and valid photo identifications listed in § 3.3(B) of this Part, at the time of application, will be required to provide one of the following documents from either §§ 3.3(C)(1) or (2) of this Part below:

1. A current and valid identification:
a. Employee identification card;

b. Identification card provided by a commercial establishment;

c. Credit or debit card;

d. Military identification card;

e. Student identification card;

f. Health club identification card;

g. Insurance plan identification card;

h. Public housing identification card

2. A copy of any of the following documents, provided that it includes the name of the Voter presenting it and is dated after the date of the last general election, unless the document is intended to be of a permanent nature such as a pardon or discharge:
a. Utility bill;

b. Bank statement;

c. Government paycheck;

d. Document issued by a government agency;

e. Official elections document issued by a government agency, dated for the election in which the registered voter is providing it as proof of identity;

f. Voter notification issued by a governmental agency;

g. Public housing identification card issued by a governmental agency;

h. Lease or rental statement or agreement issued by a governmental agency;

i. Student identification card issued by a governmental institution/agency or non-governmental institution/agency;

j. Tuition statement or bill issued by a governmental agency;

k. Insurance plan card or drug discount card issued by a government agency;

l. 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;

m. Public transit authority senior citizen and disabled discount cards issued by a governmental agency;

n. Identification documents issued by governmental disability agencies;

o. Identification documents issued by homeless shelters and other temporary or transitional facilities;

p. Drug prescription issued by a government document or other governmental health care provider;

q. Property tax statement issued by a governmental agency;

r. Vehicle registration issued by a governmental agency; or

s. Vehicle certificate of ownership issued by a governmental agency

D. Voters who do not possess one of the forms of identification listed in § 3.3(C) of this Part at the time of application may still apply. The Department of State shall compare the voter's signature on the Voter ID Application to the signature on file for the Voter in the CVRS. If it is determined that the signatures match, the Voter ID Application shall be valid and a Voter ID Card shall be issued.

E. Voters who submit a Voter ID Application which contains a false or erroneous statement or is defective in any important fact with intent to mislead the Department of State shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year or be fined an amount not exceeding one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars.

F. The Voter ID Card issued by the Department of State shall include, but not be limited to:

1. the Seal of the State of Rhode Island;

2. the name of the Voter as it appears in the CVRS;

3. a color photo of the Voter;

4. a holographic security feature;

5. a disclaimer stating that the card is to be used only for the purpose of voter identification and is not proof of voter eligibility;

6. other features as the Department of State shall determine.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.