Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-20-2 (2026)

Eligibility for mail ballots

✓ current as of July 2026
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Any otherwise qualified elector may vote by mail ballot in the following circumstances:

(1) An elector, within the State of Rhode Island who is incapacitated to the extent that it would be an undue hardship to vote at the polls because of illness, or mental or physical disability, blindness, or serious impairment of mobility;

(2) An elector who is confined in any hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, or similar institution, public or private, within the State of Rhode Island;

(3) An elector who will be temporarily absent from the state because of employment or service intimately connected with military operations or who is a spouse or legal dependent residing with that person, or a United States citizen who will be outside of the United States;

(4) An elector who chooses to vote by mail for any reason.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1977–1987 · leading case: Griffin v. Burns, 431 F. Supp. 1361 (D.R.I. 1977).
Griffin v. Burns, 431 F. Supp. 1361 (D.R.I. 1977). · cites it 2× “G.L. § 17-20-2 (1969 reenact.), advising voters of its readiness to receive applications for absentee and shut-in ballots.”
McCormick v. Rhode Island State Bd. of Elections, 378 A.2d 1061 (R.I. 1977). “The absentee and shut-in ballots for all five candidates in the disputed primary ought to be tabulated, and based on that tabulation, respondent Griffin should be declared the party nominee for the office of councilman. The majority finding of no ambiguity in §17-20-1 in regard…”
Dias v. Portsmouth Water & Fire Dist., 534 A.2d 178 (R.I. 1987). · cites it 2× “1956 (1981 Reenactment) *179 § 17-20-2, as amended by P.L.1984, ch. 231, § 1.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-20-2(a) — 1 case
McCormick v. Rhode Island State Bd. of Elections, 378 A.2d 1061 (R.I. 1977). “The absentee and shut-in ballots for all five candidates in the disputed primary ought to be tabulated, and based on that tabulation, respondent Griffin should be declared the party nominee for the office of councilman. The majority finding of no ambiguity in §17-20-1 in regard…”
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