What is a Provisional Ballot and How to Make it Count
First, what is a provisional ballot?
A provisional ballot records your vote when there are questions about your eligibility to cast a regular ballot. Provisional ballots serve as a back-up option to make sure eligible voters aren’t turned away from the polls. In some states, they may be called challenged, affidavit, questioned, or special ballots.
You may have to cast a provisional ballot if you don’t bring your state’s required IDs to the polls or present an ID that is not accepted in your state. What happens next depends on where you are voting. You might have to take additional steps for your ballot to be counted.
You could also be asked to cast a provisional ballot for a reason unrelated to voter ID, such as voting at the wrong polling location or your name not appearing on the voter registration list.
Election officials should provide you with a receipt and written instructions on any additional steps you need to take to ensure your provisional ballot is counted. You should receive your receipt and instructions before you leave your voting location.
You cast a provisional ballot because of your ID…what happens next?
Several voter ID states require voters who cast a provisional ballot because of an ID issue to return with an accepted form of ID to make their provisional ballot count. This process is called “curing” your provisional ballot. Your state determines where you need to bring your ID and the deadline for presenting it.
Other states do not require you to cure your provisional ballot. In these states, election officials will confirm your identity and eligibility without you taking any further action after you vote. You will typically be asked to sign a form or ballot envelope confirming your identity at the polls. Your state might also request that you present a secondary form of ID, such as a document containing your name and address.
Some states will count your provisional ballot if the signature you provide matches the signature on your voter registration. If it does not, an election official may contact you with information on how you can confirm your identity another way.
Make your provisional ballot count!
VoteRiders is here to help! We’re here to answer provisional ballot questions or help you figure out how to make sure your ballot counts. We can help you get an accepted form of ID to cure your ballot and provide transportation to your local ID-issuing office or election office – all for free!
Call or text our Helpline at 866-432-8683 or complete this form to get started.
