What is Provisional Voting?

Provisional Voting

As part of the certification of the election, the Board of County Canvassers makes all decisions regarding provisional ballots They are guided by state statute in determining which ballots should count.

In the following situations, a person voter will be required to vote provisionally. The voter will complete a voter registration application, and then be given a provisional (paper) ballot instead of voting on a machine. The voter will receive information on how to find out whether their ballot was counted, and the time and date provisional ballots will be considered at the County Canvass. Reasons for provisional ballots include:

  1. Voter’s name different from registered name
  2. Voter’s address different from registered address
  3. Voter’s name not in registration book
  4. Person listed in registration book as an Advance Voter
  5. In primary elections, party affiliation different from that announced by the voter
  6. Voter is unable to show a government issued photo identification at the time of voting. If voting provisionally for this reason, you must provide a copy of your government issued photo ID to the election office prior to the beginning of the Official County Canvass in person or by fax, email or postal mail.

A person voting a provisional ballot will also be handed an envelope to fill out and then seal the ballot inside. The sealed envelope will be held by election officials pending a determination, as provided by law, of the voter’s qualifications to vote.

Change of Name or Address

If a registered voter changes his or her name or moves, the voter must re-register. The two options available are:

  1. Re-register when voter registration is open
  2. Fill out a voter registration application on Election Day before voting at the precinct of the voter’s new address. With this option the voter votes a provisional ballot, instead of using a touch screen ballot marking device.