Voter Registration

Voting is fundamental to our democracy. Unfortunately, and all too often, the importance of this single act is ignored, especially by our youth. It is imperative to engage the next generation in the civic process, and colleges and universities play a critical role in promoting and supporting participation in the electoral process. Higher education has a responsibility to prepare students to become engaged participants in our democracy, and that includes, most importantly, to exercise the right and duty to register and to vote.

The 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act requires all higher education institutions to provide students enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution with information to register to vote and access voter information.

Here are two ways you can register to vote:

• Online using TURBOVOTE .  You can also check your registration status.
• National Mail Voter Registration Form can be used to register to vote, update registration information due to a change of name, make a change of address or to register with a political party.

Check upcoming dates and deadlines for your state

For Rhode Island Residents:

Rhode Island residents can go to vote.sos.ri.gov as their one-stop shop for election information (including voter registration, updating voter information, finding local polling locations, and viewing declared candidates).

Options for casting your ballot in Rhode Island:

1. Vote with a mail ballot.
2. Vote early before election day.
3. Vote at the polls on election day

For Out of State Residents

• Out-of-state residents can click here to learn about how to request mail ballots in their home states.
• If you are a Vermont resident who wants to register to vote in Rhode Island, it is recommended that you speak with the Providence College Financial Aid Office to make sure doing so does not impact your financial aid.

Additional Resources:

• The National Voter Registration Act
• Vote.gov (Official US Government website)    
• United States Federal Election Commission
• Rhode Island State Board of Elections