§ 17-19-24.2. Voter identification. (a) Beginning on January 1, 2012, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special election, or general election shall provide proof of identity. For purposes of this section, proof of identity shall be valid if unexpired or expired no more than six (6) months prior to voting, and shall include:

(1) A valid and current document showing a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including without limitation:

(i) Rhode Island driver's license;

(ii) Rhode Island voter identification card;

(iii) United States passport;

(iv) Identification card issued by a United States educational institution;

(v) United States military identification card;

(vi) Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode Island;

(vii) Government issued medical card.

(2) A valid and current document without a photograph of the person to whom the document was issued, including without limitation:

(i) Birth certificate;

(ii) Social security card;

(iii) Government issued medical card.

(b) From and after January 1, 2014, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special election, or general election shall provide proof of identity listed in subsection (a)(1).

(c) No later than January 1, 2012, Rhode Island voter identification cards will be issued upon request, and at no expense to the voters, at locations and in accordance with procedures established by rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of state. The purpose of this section is to provide voter identification cards to those voters who do not possess the identification listed in subsection (a)(1).

(d) If the person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter is unable to provide proof of identity as required in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) above, the person claiming to be a registered voter shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot pursuant to § 17-19-24.2 upon completing a provisional ballot voter's certificate and affirmation. The local board shall determine the validity of the provisional ballot pursuant to § 17-19-24.3.

History of Section. (P.L. 2011, ch. 199, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 201, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 62, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 74, § 1.)