Rhode Island § 17-20-13 - Mail Ballots
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 17-20-13 — Mail Ballots, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-20-13. Mail Ballots
R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-20-13
§ 17-20-13. Form of application.
The application to be subscribed by the voters before receiving a mail ballot shall, in addition to those directions that may be printed, stamped, or written on it by authority of the secretary of state, be in substantially the following form:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND APPLICATION OF VOTER FOR BALLOT FOR ELECTION ON_________________________________________
(COMPLETE HIGHLIGHTED SECTIONS)NOTE — THIS APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE
BOARD OF CANVASSERS OF YOUR CITY OR TOWN NOT LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON_________________________________________
BOX A (PRINT OR TYPE)
NAME_________________________________________
VOTING ADDRESS_________________________________________
CITY/TOWN_______________________________________ STATE RI ZIP CODE_________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH_______________________________________ PHONE #_________________________________________
BOX B (PRINT OR TYPE)
NAME OF INSTITUTION (IF APPLICABLE)_________________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
CITY/TOWN_______________________________________ STATE___________ ZIP CODE_________________________________________
FACSIMILE NUMBER (if applicable)_________________________________________
I CERTIFY THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A MAIL BALLOT ON THE FOLLOWING BASIS: (CHECK ONE ONLY)
( ) 1. I am incapacitated to such an extent that it would be an undue hardship to vote at the polls because of illness, mental or physical disability, blindness, or a serious impairment of mobility. If the ballot is not being mailed to your voter registration address (BOX A above) please provide the Rhode Island address where you are temporarily residing in BOX B above.( ) 2. I am confined in a hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, or similar institution within the State of Rhode Island. Provide the name and address of the facility where you are residing in BOX B above
( ) 3. I am employed or in service intimately connected with military operations or because I am a spouse or dependent of such person, or I am a United States citizen and will be outside the United States. Complete BOX B above or the ballot will be mailed to the local board of canvassers.
( ) 4. I may not be able to vote at the polling place in my city or town on the day of the election. If the ballot is not being mailed to your voter registration address (BOX A above) please provide the address within the United States where you are temporarily residing in BOX B above. If you request that your ballot be sent to your local board of canvassers please indicate so in BOX B above.
BOX D OATH OF VOTER
I declare under the pains and penalty of perjury that all of the information I have provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I further state that I am not a qualified voter of any other city or town or state and have not claimed and do not intend to claim the right to vote in any other city or town or state. If unable to sign name because of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, the applicant shall mark the box to indicate the voter cannot sign due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, and include the full name, residence address, signature, and optionally the telephone number and e-mail address of the person who provided assistance to the voter.
SIGNATURE IN FULL_________________________________________
Please note: A Power of Attorney signature is not valid in Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1980, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 13; P.L. 1985,
ch. 161, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 282, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 435, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 227,
§ 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 498, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 314, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 205, § 1; P.L.
1992, ch. 260, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 41; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 41; P.L. 2001,
ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 119, § 3; P.L. 2005, ch. 167,
§ 3; P.L. 2011, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 217, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 45, § 5, effective
June 7, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 46, § 5, effective June 7, 2022; P.L. 2024, ch. 191,
§ 1, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 192, § 1, effective June 17, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 17-20-13
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 17-20-13 cover?
Section 17-20-13 ("Mail Ballots") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 17-20-13?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 17-20-13" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 17-20-13 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.