Today, the Rhode Island Voting Access Coalition (RIVAC) launched the Let RI Vote for Same Day Registration campaign. The coalition of more than 30 groups supports placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2026 to adopt a system for same day registration. Rhode Island voters face the earliest registration deadline in the nation, 30 days in advance of Election Day.

“In the 2024 election, Rhode Island’s voter turnout was below the national average, and the lowest in New England, and a sign that our state is not doing enough to include everyone in our democracy,” said John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island. “Same day registration is a proven reform that’s used in 22 states, including four of the six states in New England and it’s time for Rhode Island to adopt this important change.”

“I’m proud to stand with our partners in once again calling for Rhode Island voters to have the opportunity to remove one of the most restrictive voter registration deadlines in the country,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “An arbitrarily early voter registration deadline disenfranchises otherwise eligible voters – and we should be doing everything we can to ensure every eligible Rhode Islander is able to participate fully in our democracy.”

“At the RI AFL-CIO, we believe that voting is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for those who can navigate restrictive and outdated rules,” said Patrick Crowley, RI AFL-CIO President. “With 54% of Rhode Islanders in support of same-day voter registration, it’s clear that the people are ready for change. We urge lawmakers to listen to the people and let voters eliminate the 30-day registration requirement.”

RIVAC members include: AARP RI, ARISE, Better Elections RI, Black Lives Matter PAC RI, Brown Votes, Carpenters Local Union 330, Clean Water Action RI, Climate Action RI, Common Cause Rhode Island, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Providence Alumnae Chapter, Economic Progress Institute, Every Vote Counts at Brown University, Formerly Incarcerated Union, George Wiley Center, Housing Network RI, Latino Policy Institute, League of Women Voters of RI, NAACP Providence Branch, Ocean State RCV, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, RI ACLU, RI AFL-CIO, RI Developmental Disabilities Council, RI Commission on Human Rights, RI KIDS COUNT, RI Working Families Party, RIght from the Start Coalition, SEIU 1199NE, The Womxn Project, Women’s Fund of RI.