To the editor:

There are 47 states in the U.S. that offer some kind of early voting. Here in Rhode Island, early voting for the midterm general election starts on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

I hope that every eligible voter exercises their civic duty and votes in the midterm election. It is now easier than ever to do so. Every weekday from Oct. 14 to Nov. 2, each Rhode Island town will have a polling place open for early voting.

Why vote early? Aside from skipping long lines, parking headaches or arriving at the wrong polling place on Election Day, life, as we all know, can get in the way. There could be a severe storm, worse-than-usual traffic, an illness, a late night at work, transportation issues, or you simply forget and do not want to go back out (guilty).

There are some serious reasons to vote early, but I am not going to get into that because this is a motivational letter. Go out and vote … early!

On Saturday, Oct. 17, there will be community events nationwide to encourage people to vote early. Most towns in the East Bay will be holding get-out-the-vote (GOTV) early events. On Aquidneck Island, there will be volunteers in Portsmouth and Newport encouraging people to vote. Come say hello, make a pledge to vote early and/or tell us why you are voting.

Early voting in Portsmouth will be held at Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road, in the council chambers. Hours are:

• Monday through Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Early voting ends Monday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For Portsmouth polling locations on Nov. 3, visit vote.sos.ri.gov.

Jen Devine

Bristol