Rhode Island § 17-20-9 - Mail Ballots
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 17-20-9 — Mail Ballots, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-20-9. Mail Ballots
R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-20-9
§ 17-20-9. Application to be placed on the permanent mail ballot application list.
(a) A voter, by signing an application, may request that a mail ballot application be sent to the voter automatically for every election. The application and instructions shall be prescribed by the secretary of state, and furnished upon request to any elector by each local board of canvassers. The envelope containing the mail ballot application shall be clearly marked as not forwardable. If any elector is no longer an eligible voter the elector shall notify the local board of canvassers of this fact. The local board shall remove the name of any voter from the mailing list established under this section upon receipt of reliable information that a voter no longer qualifies for the service. The voter shall be notified of the action within five (5) days after the board takes the action.
(b) The application and instructions prescribed in this section shall be mailed to the applicant along with a stamped return envelope addressed to the local boards of canvassers. The secretary of state may process applications pursuant to this section through the online mail ballot application portal established by § 17-20-2.3.
(c) [Deleted by P.L. 2025, ch. 231, § 1 and P.L. 2025, ch. 232, § 1.]
(d) The secretary of state shall maintain a list in the central voter registration system of all voters who automatically receive applications for mail ballots, pursuant to this section.
(e) [Expires December 31, 2025.] Eligible disabled voters shall be entitled to electronically receive and return their mail ballot, using the same electronic transmission system as that used by voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). This electronic process shall satisfy the federal Rehabilitation Act, section 508 concerning accessibility standards.
(f) [Expires December 31, 2025.] For purposes of this section, “eligible disabled voter” means a person with disabilities eligible to vote who is 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 258, § 2; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 11; P.L. 1988, ch. 297, § 1; P.L. 2001,
ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 45, § 5, effective June 7, 2022;
P.L. 2022, ch. 46, § 5, effective June 7, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 188, § 1, effective
June 27, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 189, § 1, effective June 27, 2022; P.L. 2023, ch. 395,
art. 2, § 4, effective June 27, 2023; P.L. 2025, ch. 231, § 1, effective June 24,
2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 232, § 1, effective June 24, 2025.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 17-20-9
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 17-20-9 cover?
Section 17-20-9 ("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 § 17-20-9?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 17-20-9" (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 § 17-20-9 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.