Rhode Islanders who plan to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 general election must request a ballot by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, the state Board of Elections says. Eligible voters can submit an application online at [mailballot.sos.ri.gov](https://mailballot.sos.ri.gov/) or in person at their local board of canvassers. The request deadline is separate from the deadline for returning a completed ballot: voters can place completed ballots in secure drop boxes in every Rhode Island city and town, or deliver them to the Board of Elections in Cranston. The state lists drop-box locations at [elections.ri.gov](https://elections.ri.gov/voter-resources/mail-ballot-drop-boxes). Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 14, and runs through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters will decide statewide races including governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as congressional and state legislative contests, ballot referendums and some municipal mayoral races. A sample ballot can be found through the state’s [voter information portal](https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/PollingPlaces?ActiveFlag=2).