If a voter claims to be properly registered and eligible to vote but their eligibility cannot be determined, or if an election official asserts the voter's ineligibility, they will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. First-time voters who registered by mail and haven't provided the required identification will also be asked to vote provisionally.
To vote a provisional ballot, the voter must have a residence address within the precinct where they are voting. A person who casts a provisional ballot can provide written evidence supporting their eligibility to the Supervisor of Elections by 5:00 p.m. on the second day after the election.
All provisional ballot voters must receive a written notice of their rights at the time of voting. This notice includes information on whether further evidence of eligibility needs to be presented, how to check if their provisional ballot was counted, and the reasons for any rejection.
If a voter cast a provisional ballot because they didn't bring photo and signature identification to the polls, they do not need to present additional evidence of eligibility. The local canvassing board will compare the signature on the provisional ballot certificate with the voter's signature on the registration record. If the signatures match, the provisional ballot will be counted.
These rules and statutes ensure that eligible voters have the opportunity to vote, even if there are concerns about their eligibility. Provisional ballots allow for verification after the election to confirm eligibility before counting the ballot.
What is the status of my provisional ballot in St. Lucie County?