PROVISIONAL BALLOTS
If you are a registered voter in your Election District and you are eligible to vote in a Federal Election, but your name does not appear on the official poll list, you may be able to vote by Provisional Ballot. Provisional Ballots cover only Federal offices such as President, Vice President, US Senate and US Congress. To be permitted to vote on a Provisional Ballot, you will be asked to sign an affidavit that says you are a registered voter in that Election District and that you are eligible to vote in that election.
The provisional ballot ONLY covers Federal offices; it cannot be used for local elections.
Ballots are cast on paper and sealed using a double envelope system similar to Absentee Ballots. Each voter is assigned a tracking number. The sealed envelopes are delivered to the Department of Elections for each county on the night of the election for verification the next day. If the Department of Elections for your County determines that the provisional ballot is eligible, then the vote is counted.
At the time you vote, you will be given information on the free access system set up by the Commissioner of Elections so that you can determine whether or not your ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why.
Providing Identification
You must provide proof of identity and address to vote on a Provisional Ballot. Acceptable forms of identification are a current, valid photo ID, copy of current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.
Extended Polling Place Times
If a Federal or State court order extends the time established for closing the polls, votes cast after the normal poll closing time will all be by Provisional Ballot.
Tallying the Votes
On the day after the election, the Department of Elections for each county meets to determine which Provisional Ballots are valid and to tally them.
Within 30 days after the election, the information as to whether or not your Provisional Ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why, is entered into the free access system set up by the Commissioner of Elections.
