Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE -- The state Board of Elections expects thousands of Providence residents who have not registered to vote to turn out tomorrow at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, register and cast their ballots for president.

Throughout the state, anyone who has not previously registered to vote can cast a "same day" ballot for president and vice president if they are otherwise eligible to register to vote. They are not able to vote for statewide or local races tomorrow.
In most places, go to your community's city or town hall to cast a same-day ballot.

However, four cities and towns have set up special locations instead of town hall for such Election Day registration and voting. Those are: Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road; Little Compton, Wilbur McMann School, 28 Commons; Providence, Dunkin' Donuts Center, 1 LaSalle Square; and Smithfield Senior Center, 1 William J. Hawkins Jr. Trail.

It's difficult know how many people to expect at such same-day voting locations, but Board of Elections Executive Director Robert Kando based his projection for thousands in Providence this year on past year results. In 2004, more than 3,000 people in Providence who had not previously registered came out to vote, he said. In 2000, more than 2,500 people did so.

If you are registered to vote in Rhode Island but have since moved and not updated your voter-registration records, you have several options depending on when and where you moved, according to Kando.

If you've moved within the same voting district, go to the same polling place.

If you've moved within the same city or town but to a different voting district in the last 30 days, go to the polling place of your previous address or to the Board of Canvassers. If you made such a move 30 days or more prior to the election, go to the polling place of your new address or the Board of Canvassers.

If you've moved from one city or town in Rhode Island to another more than 30 days before the election but less than six months before, go to the Board of Canvassers of your former city or town. You'll be able to vote on a limited ballot, which includes the presidential election, congressional offices and statewide ballot questions. However, if you cannot or don't want to travel back to your former city or town, you can go to your new location's special voting spot for people who are just casting a ballot for president.

Also, if you've moved more than six months ago from one Rhode Island community to another, your only voting option is to vote for president only in your new location, Kando said.

If you are newly registering on Election Day and voting for president only, you may be asked to provide identification, but you are not required to have it, Kando said. If anyone who is not a Rhode Island resident, not a U.S. citizen or not 18 years of age votes, they are subject to prosecution for voter fraud, which is a felony, Kando said.

Whether you go to town hall or a special location, local elections officials will be on hand to help. You can register to vote and cast a ballot in the presidential race on the spot. And you are officially registered in Rhode Island for future elections.

Check out the Rhode Island Secretary of State's web site for last-minute voting options.

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