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Newport County · Rhode Island

Elections 2026

Everything you need to vote with confidence this year — key dates, how to vote, candidate forums, and how to make sure you're ready when the polls open.

Serving Newport · Middletown · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Jamestown · Little Compton

🗓 Key Dates 🗳 How to Vote 🎤 Forums ✓ Check Registration 🤝 Poll Workers ❓ FAQ 👤 Candidates
—days away
Primary Election
Wed · Sept 9, 2026
—days away
General Election
Tue · Nov 3, 2026
Aug 10
Register for the Primary
Deadline
Oct 4
Register for the General
Deadline

Mark your calendar

2026 Election Calendar

Rhode Island runs two elections in 2026 — a statewide Primary in September and the General Election in November. Each has its own registration deadline, mail ballot deadline, and early voting window. Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on both Election Days. Tap Add to calendar on any date to save it to your phone.

Primary Election Day — Wednesday, September 9, 2026
General Election Day — Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Three ways to cast your ballot

How to Vote in Rhode Island

Every registered Rhode Island voter has three ways to vote. Pick whatever fits your schedule — all three are official and secure.

In person on Election Day

Vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day — Primary on Sept 9, General on Nov 3. Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Not sure where you go? Look up your polling place first.

Find my polling place →

Early in-person voting

Can't make Election Day? Vote early at your local board of canvassers — Aug 20–Sept 8 for the Primary, Oct 14–Nov 2 for the General. The final day ends at 4:00 p.m.

Early voting details →

By mail ballot

Vote from home with a mail ballot. Apply by the deadline — Aug 19 for the Primary, Oct 13 for the General (applications due by 4:00 p.m.). Then return your ballot by Election Day.

Request a mail ballot →

Nonpartisan & free to attend

Candidate Forums

The League hosts nonpartisan forums so you can hear directly from the candidates before you vote. Below are the 2026 forum dates across Newport County. Times and locations will be announced as each forum is confirmed — check the Events page for the latest, and add any forum to your calendar.

Aug4

State Senate Primary Forum — District 13

Our first forum of the season covers the District 13 State Senate primary race.

Show forums for:

Newport

School CommitteeSept 17
City CouncilSept 24

Portsmouth

Town CouncilSept 15
School CommitteeOct 22

Middletown

Town CouncilSept 29
School CommitteeOct 21

Tiverton

Town CouncilOct 7
School CommitteeOct 8

Jamestown

Town CouncilOct 13
School CommitteeOct 15

Little Compton

Town CouncilSept 22
School CommitteeOct 19

All forums are nonpartisan and open to the public. Dates are subject to change as candidate fields are finalized.

Check Your Registration

Are you a registered voter? Is your registration accurate? Confirm your status, polling place, and mailing address through Rhode Island's official voter portal — it takes about a minute.

Check My Registration →
QR code linking to the Rhode Island voter information portal Scan to check

Be a Poll Worker

Poll workers keep our elections running — checking in voters, guiding people through the process, and making democracy work in your own community. Training is provided, and many positions are paid. The Rhode Island Department of State has the requirements and the application.

Sign Up to Serve →
QR code linking to Rhode Island poll worker information Scan to apply

Quick answers

Voter FAQ

Common questions about voting in Rhode Island. Every answer links to an official source so you can confirm the details yourself.

Am I registered to vote?
You can confirm your registration, polling place, and mailing address in about a minute through Rhode Island's official voter portal. Check your registration →
How do I register, and what's the deadline?
You can register online, by mail, or in person. To vote in the Primary, register by Monday, August 10, 2026. To vote in the General Election, register by Sunday, October 4, 2026. Register to vote →
What are my ways to vote?
Three ways: in person on Election Day (polls open 7 a.m.–8 p.m.), early in-person voting at your local board of canvassers, or by mail ballot. See the How to Vote section above for dates and details.
Where is my polling place?
Your polling place depends on your address, and it can change between elections — always confirm before Election Day. Find my polling place →
How do I vote by mail?
Apply for a mail ballot by the deadline — August 19 for the Primary or October 13 for the General (applications must be received by 4:00 p.m.). Then return your completed ballot by Election Day. Mail ballot information →
What will be on my ballot?
See your personalized ballot and compare candidates side-by-side at Vote411, the League of Women Voters' nonpartisan election resource. See my ballot at Vote411 →
How can I become a poll worker?
Poll workers are paid and trained, and they're essential to running elections in your community. The Rhode Island Department of State has the requirements and application. Poll worker information →

On your 2026 ballot

Who's Running in Newport County?

See who has filed to run for office in your town. These nonpartisan candidate lists are maintained by the League of Women Voters of Newport County and open in a new tab. For a personalized ballot and a side-by-side comparison of every candidate, also visit Vote411.

Newport View candidates → Middletown View candidates → Portsmouth View candidates → Tiverton View candidates → Jamestown View candidates → Little Compton View candidates →

Want a personalized ballot and full candidate comparison?

See My Ballot at Vote411 →

This page is maintained by the League of Women Voters of Newport County · Nonpartisan voter information