Provisional Ballots and Affirmation Statements

What are Provisional Ballots?

Provisional ballots are paper ballots that are used at the polling place on election day. Provisional ballots are not counted at the polling place. After the polls are closed, the provisional ballots are transported to the County Commissioner of Registration's office for verification, and then they are counted by the County Board of Election.

When Do you Use a Provisional Ballot?

You must vote by a provisional ballot if:

• You are registered voter in the county who moved, but did not inform the County Commissioner of your change of address
• Your registration information is incomplete in the poll book
• You are an Active Need ID voter who has not provided identification information
• You received an absentee ballot without request
• You did not receive an absentee ballot but you applied for one
• You applied for an absentee ballot, received it, but did not return it

How Do You Vote By a Provisional Ballot?

How to Vote by Provisional Ballot:

• The board worker will provide you with a paper ballot, an envelope and a private place to score your vote.
• After you have scored your vote, you will place the ballot in the envelope and seal it.
• You will then sign and complete the Affirmation Statement that is attached to the envelope. You must sign the Affirmation Statement in order for your vote to be counted.

NOTE: Do not detach the Affirmation Statement from the envelope.

• Give the envelope to the board worker, and watch the board worker put the envelope into the provisional ballot bag. You can also put the envelope into the bag yourself if you want.

NOTE: If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can ask the board worker to give you a new one.