Presidential Preference Primary pushed to June 2

PORTSMOUTH — At the request of the R.I. State Board of Elections, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order moving the state’s Presidential Preference Primary from April 28 to June 2.

Since this order, state and local election officials have been and continue planning to provide safe, secure, and convenient processes for Rhode Island voters to cast their ballot. 

What to expect:

By mid-April, every registered Rhode Island voter will receive a mail ballot application from the secretary of state’s Election Division for this election. (Those who have already applied will not receive another application.) It will include instructions and a postage-paid envelope for the application to be returned to the State Board of Elections. 

Local canvassing offices will process the requests. Ballots will then be mailed to voters by the Department of State, with information about how to cast and return to the board before Election Day. 

What to do:

• Register to vote by visiting vote.sos.ri.gov or by completing a Rhode Island voter registration form and submitting it to your local board of canvassers.

• Verify your current registration information by going online to vote.sos.ri.gov or contacting your local canvassing office. Make sure your name and address is accurate, and your party affiliation is current, which is important in primary elections). Make any changes now by updating information using the same process for registering.

• Complete the mail ballot application and return as soon as possible. Voting by mail is the safest and most convenient method of casting a ballot during this crisis. 

Important dates:

• April 20: Deadline to apply to receive Braille or tactile mail ballot application.

• May 3: Last day to register to vote. 

• May 4: Deadline to change party affiliations. 

Voters may submit registration forms or changes to the Portsmouth Canvassing Authority, 2200 East Main Road. Portsmouth Town Hall is closed to the public, but forms are available inside the first glass doors at the south entrance during business hours. There is also a drop box available.

Regular canvassing office hours are 8:30 a.n. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday; and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays.

Voters can also register, make changes, or obtain forms online at the Voter Information Center (www.vote.sos.ri.gov). 

Contact the local canvassing office at portsmouth_canvassing@portsmouthri.com or 401/683-3157 with any questions.