Residence For Voting Purposes in Rhode Island

The following shall be considered prima facie evidence of a person's residence for voting purposes:
§17-1-33.1 Rhode Island General Laws

(1.) .... the address furnished to the registry of motor vehicles for the voter's operator's license
(2.) .... the address from which the voter's motor vehicle is registered
(3.) .... the address from which the voter filed his/her last federal income tax return
(4.) .... the address from which the voter filed his/her last state income tax return
(5.) .... the address furnished to the companies from which the voter has obtained retail credit cards
(6.) .... the address furnished to the financial institutions where the voter maintains accounts
(7.) .... the address furnished to the tax collector and/or assessor in those communities where the voter owns taxable property for the purpose of notification to him or her
(8.) .... the address furnished to the insurance companies with which the voter maintains policies
(9.) .... the address furnished to the voter's employer
(10.) ...the address furnished to any business, professional, union or fraternal organizations of which he or she is a member
(11.) ...the address furnished to governmental agencies with which the voter has contact
(12.) ...the address of a hospital, convalescent home, nursing home or rest home, or like facility at which the voter has been a patient or resident for the preceding (30) days or longer
(13.) ...the address furnished to the United States postal service on a change or address form as verified by the United States postal service

Note ....Members of the armed forces or merchant marine and those who will be absent from the state in the performance of "services intimately connected with military operations":
Anyone in the above categories who is otherwise qualified to vote does not have to register during the period of his or her active service and for two (2) years thereafter. The "residence" of anyone in the above categories immediately prior to the beginning of that person's active service or prior to his or her absence from the state for the above-stated reason(s) shall continue to be that person's residence during the time of his or her service and for a period of two (2) years thereafter - unless the person shall change his or her residence by registering or by taking other appropriate action to qualify to vote in another city or town within this state or in another state.

Return to FAQ