PROVIDENCE –– The state Board of Elections expects thousands of Providence residents — who have not registered to vote — to turn out today at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, register and cast ballots for president.

Throughout the state, anyone who has not previously registered to vote can cast a “same day” ballot for president if they’re otherwise eligible to register. They cannot vote in any other races or on state or local referendums.

In most communities, go to your city or town hall to cast a same-day ballot. However, four cities and towns have set up special locations: Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Rd.; Little Compton, Wilbur & McMahon Schools, 28 Commons; Providence, Dunkin’ Donuts Center, 1 LaSalle Square; and Smithfield Senior Center, 1 William J. Hawkins Jr. Trail.

The elections board’s executive director, Robert Kando, based his projection for how many will cast same-day ballots in Providence this year on past results. In 2004, more than 3,000 people cast such ballots, he said. In 2000, more than 2,500 people did so.

If you are registered to vote in Rhode Island but have since moved and not updated your voter registration records, you have several options depending on when and where you moved, according to Kando.

If you’ve moved:

•within the same voting district, go to the same polling place.

•within the same community but to a different voting district in the last 30 days, go to the polling place of your previous address or to the Board of Canvassers. If you made such a move 30 days or more prior to the election, go to the polling place of your new address or the Board of Canvassers.

•from one city or town in Rhode Island to another more than 30 days before the election but less than six months before, go to the Board of Canvassers of your former community. You’ll be able to vote on a limited ballot, which includes the presidential election, congressional offices and statewide ballot questions. However, if you cannot or don’t want to travel back to your former city or town, you can go to your new location’s special voting spot for people who are just casting a ballot for president.

•more than six months ago from one Rhode Island community to another, your only voting option is to vote for president only in your new location.

If you are registering on Election Day and voting for president only, you may be asked to provide identification, but you are not required to have it, Kando said. If anyone who is not a Rhode Island resident, not a U.S. citizen or not 18 years of age votes, they are subject to prosecution for voter fraud, which is a felony, Kando said.

Check out the Rhode Island secretary of state’s Web site for last-minute voting options:

www.sec.state.ri.us/elections/news-items/last-minute-options-for-voting

kbramson@projo.com