Can You Vote Provisional In Nj In A County You Are Not Registered In

Provisional ballots ensure that voters are not excluded from the voting process due to an administrative error. They provide a fail-safe machinery for voters who arrive at the polls on Election Day and whose eligibility to vote is uncertain. This webpage provides a general overview of country provisional ballot laws and practices.

Provisional ballots, besides known as "challenge" or "affidavit" ballots in some states, are required past the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). When there is incertitude near a voter's eligibility—the potential voter's proper noun is non on the voter rolls, a required identification document isn't available or another event arises—the election official is required to offering the voter a conditional ballot instead of a regular ballot.Standards for handling provisional ballots are determined by state law.

In nearly all of the states, after being bandage, the provisional ballot is kept separate from other ballots until after the election. A conclusion is then made equally to whether the voter was eligible to vote, and therefore whether the ballot is to exist counted. By and large, a board of elections or local election officials will investigate the provisional ballots within days of the election. Since this is an additional authoritative pace, a big number of provisional ballots tin can increment costs for jurisdictions.

Annotation: Idaho, Minnesota and New Hampshire do not issue provisional ballots, therefore, we practise not provide data regarding those states beneath. For an caption of why they practise not consequence provisional ballots encounter What states do not use provisional ballots, and why?

This folio answers the post-obit questions:

What does federal police force require regarding provisional ballots?
Why are conditional ballots used?
What is the legislative role regarding conditional ballots?
How is a provisional ballot investigated?
Is any office of a conditional ballot counted if it is bandage in the wrong precinct?
What are the reasons for rejecting a provisional ballot?
How does a voter find out if his or her provisional ballot was counted?
What time is allotted to decide the status of conditional ballots?
Which states do not use provisional ballots, and why?
Methodology

What Does Federal Law Require Regarding Provisional Ballots?

Provisional ballots are mandated past department 15482 of the Aid America Vote Human activity of 2002 (HAVA), just fifty-fifty before HAVA, some states offered "conditional," "challenge" or "affirmation" ballots to ensure that no eligible voters were turned abroad. HAVA exempts only a few states: Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming (run into below).

The constabulary states: "If an individual declares that such individual is a registered voter in the jurisdiction in which the individual desires to vote and that the individual is eligible to vote in an election for Federal part, but the name of the private does non announced on the official list of eligible voters for the polling place or an election official asserts that the individual is not eligible to vote, such private shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot…"

HAVA sets out what deportment are required of voters and of election officials:

Voters: To use a provisional ballot, each voter whose eligibility to vote is uncertain must provide a written affirmation, signed in front of an election official at the polling place, stating that he or she is a registered voter and is eligible to vote in the election.

Election officials: Election officials and poll workers must notify potential voters that they have a correct to use a conditional election, provide the ballot, witness the affirmation, and receive the election for later on processing. Additionally, election officials must provide information to the voter on how the process works and how to find out if his or her ballot was cast—and if not, why not.

Why Are Provisional Ballots Issued?

For a voter to bandage a provisional election, there must be some question equally to his or her eligibility to vote. These questions vary beyond states. The about common reasons, as identified past the EAC, are:

The voter's name is non on the poll or registration listing.
The voter'due south eligibility cannot be otherwise established.
The voter's identity and/or eligibility to vote has been challenged by a poll-worker or election official.
The voter does not have identification as required by that state.
The voter requested an absentee election merely claims he or she either didn't receive it or didn't cast it.
The voter's address or proper noun has changed but their voter registration information does non reflect the change.
For primaries, the voter registration reflects an error in party listing.

Most states have additional reasons specific to those states. In addition, HAVA requires all states to issue provisional ballots if the polling place hours are extended by court order.

Below is a chart of the most mutual reasons voters may need to cast a provisional ballot and the states that volition let a voter to cast a conditional ballot in those instances.

Common Reasons Voters May Demand to Bandage a Provisional Ballot
Reason	States
Voter eligibility cannot be immediately established—i.e., name is not on registration list	46 states, plus D.C.: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New United mexican states, New York, N Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Isle, S Carolina, Southward Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Westward Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
The voter'south eligibility is challenged by a poll watcher	27 states, plus D.C.: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
Voter did not present ID equally required by the state	36 states, plus D.C.: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Bailiwick of jersey, New Mexico, New York, N Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
Voter requested an absentee election and has not cast it	16 states, plus D.C.: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington
Registration reflects an error in party list (principal election only)	Nine states, plus D.C.: District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Bailiwick of jersey, New York, Due north Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Accost and/or name has changed	Nine states, plus D.C.: Alaska, Arizona, California, Commune of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Bailiwick of jersey, Ohio, Texas

What Is the Legislative Role Regarding Conditional Ballots?

Because it takes longer to process provisional ballots than regular ballots, legislators and administrators may desire to reduce the employ of provisional ballots. The availability of provisional ballots is mandated by federal law—the Aid America Vote Act of 2002—merely country laws determine how and why provisional ballots are used. They may likewise want to make procedures for the use of provisional ballots uniform throughout their country. Here are problems relating to provisional ballots that legislators may address:

Same-Solar day Registration. In some states that offering aforementioned-day registration, they may implement it by requiring the use of provisional ballots for Election 24-hour interval registrants. In these cases, voters tin indeed annals and vote at the aforementioned fourth dimension, but if they cannot immediately provide the required identification and proof of residency, their ballots are non counted until their eligibility is determined. (Other states may provide same day registration through other mechanisms). Montana uses provisional ballots for this purpose and OK Southward 314, from 2015, would accept created same day registration through the utilise of provisional ballots.
Voter ID. Many states who have strict voter ID requirements inquire voters who practise not provide the appropriate ID at the time of voting to bandage a conditional election. Voters have the opportunity to bear witness ID within a few days of the ballot, and if not, the provisional ballot is not counted.
Voted the Incorrect Election. In states where several precincts may be housed in one polling place, it is non uncommon for a voter to go in the wrong line. In this example, the voter is offered the opportunity to either get in the right line for the correct ballot, or exist issued a provisional ballot that would exist partially counted. This is called the "right church, wrong pew" situation. In Ohio, in 2014 SB 216 was enacted to set up procedures for these cases that allow a portion of the ballot to be counted. In 2020, Virginia passed HB 43, which allowed voters in split districts who believed they received the wrong ballot to vote provisional ballots for both districts; later the voter's commune is confirmed, only the voted ballot for that district will be counted.
Issued an Absentee Ballot. In many states, voters who accept been issued an absentee ballot are not able to vote on Election Twenty-four hour period fifty-fifty if they oasis't cast the absentee ballot. States can permit voters who say this is the example to vote on Ballot Mean solar day on a provisional election; that way, if the original absentee ballot does get submitted, the conditional ballot will not be counted. For instance, RI South 639, from 2015, would permit voters to vote on a provisional election even if they had requested an absentee ballot.
Proper noun Non on the Voter List. One of the most common reasons provisional ballots are issued is that the voter's name does not appear on the voter list, even if the voter says he or she has registered. In 2015, TX H 2987, which failed, proposed giving each new registrant a receipt saying they had applied to register. If the name is non on the voter list, the receipt could be fastened to a provisional election, thus proving the voter had done their part by registering.
Voting Outside One's Precinct. In some states, provisional ballots can be used by voters who are voting exterior their ain jurisdiction. State law governs whether these ballots will be rejected, or whether the portion of the election the voters were eligible to vote will be counted. In 2013, Illinois and Utah passed legislation to count partial ballots. As well in 2013, N Carolina enacted HB 589, which antiseptic that provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct will not exist counted.
Uniform Time Frames. States can create uniform time periods for treatment provisional ballots. Illinois' HB 2418, enacted in 2013, requires election officials to transmit information about conditional ballots bandage to the state board inside two calendar days of the election, and increases from two to seven days the time menses during which a provisional voter may submit additional data to ballot regime. Likewise in 2013, Texas established a time frame for counting conditional ballots.
Uniform Procedures: States tin can too establish statewide procedures for counting provisional ballots. In 2013, Virginia addressed two procedural issues. With HB 63, it established who can be nowadays when provisional ballots are counted, and with HB 2143, the state at present requires that conditional ballots be "promptly" put in the election box.

How Is a Provisional Ballot Investigated?

Once a conditional election is cast, it is stored separately from other ballots and investigated past local election officials. Generally, this process entails verifying the voter's identity and eligibility to vote, and may require the voter to provide further information. If the identity of the voter and the voter'due south eligibility can be established through reviewing the voter rolls or verifying a signature, all or a portion of the ballot will be counted (see beneath). If their eligibility cannot exist established, the ballot will non be counted.

In some states, the voter may be asked to take activeness after Election Day to take his or her provisional election. In these cases, the voter may be required to return to an election role following the election to verify his or her identity and/or eligibility to vote. In most cases, these voters were issued a provisional ballot because they did not present voter identification as required by that state. In Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin voters have a few days subsequently Election Twenty-four hours to show required identification (see NCSL'southward Voter ID Requirements page.)

Occasionally a voter may be asked to return to provide proof of residence, such as a utility beak, or other eligibility verifications depending on the reason for the issuance of the conditional election. These states are likely to be those that offering Election Day registration.

Is Whatever Part of a Provisional Ballot Counted If it Is Cast in the Wrong Precinct?

States vary in how they handle provisional ballots bandage in the wrong precinct. This almost ordinarily happens when a voter goes to the wrong precinct because he or she can't get to the home precinct, and therefore votes on a conditional ballot. (As part of get-out-the-vote efforts toward the end of Ballot Day, candidates, campaigns and advocacy groups may encourage this choice.)

Some states count a portion of the provisional ballot if it is cast in the incorrect precinct or jurisdiction. Generally, they will count the votes for races that the voter would have been eligible to vote in, if they did so in the correct precinct or jurisdiction. This may include just votes for federal offices, equally in Rhode Island, or for state or local races that would be shared among precincts.

In other states, the entire ballot will be rejected.

Exceptions may exist. For example, in Maine, the full ballot is counted showtime. If the number of provisional ballots cast would change the outcome of the election, and but then is the validity of the provisional ballots investigated.

In Ohio, in that location may be certain polling places holding elections for more than one precinct. In that situation, if the voter is in the right polling place simply the incorrect precinct, they will beginning be directed to the correct precinct. If they chose non to get back in line they can choose to vote a provisional ballot in the incorrect precinct (Ohio Lawmaking § 3505.183)

State Handling of Provisional Ballots Cast in the Incorrect Precinct.
Total Count	Maine**
Fractional Count	Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado District of Columbia, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New United mexican states, New York, Ohio*, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, West Virginia
Does Not Count	Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

*Only Federal races

** Validity is only reviewed if the number of provisional ballots cast is a large enough number to affect the results of the election

*** See Ohio Lawmaking § 3505.183

What Are the Reasons for Rejecting/Accepting a Conditional Ballot?

Once the provisional ballot has been investigated, the election officials will either accept the election and count all or part of it, or reject the ballot and not count it.

According to the EAC the most common reasons for rejection of a conditional ballot are: (1) the voter was not registered; (ii) the voter cast a conditional ballot in the incorrect jurisdiction; (3) the vote was cast in the wrong precinct; (4) the voter lacked required ID or did not provide the proper ID within the allotted fourth dimension after Election Day as described to a higher place; (5) the provisional election was incomplete, or the ballot or envelope was illegible; (six) the voter had already voted in that election; or (7) at that place was no signature on the provisional ballot or the ballot envelope.

Some states provide lists of the reasons for rejecting conditional ballots. The nautical chart below includes 50-state information regarding how states have defined the reasons for rejecting or accepting provisional ballots. When possible the language listed is directly from country sources.

Reasons for rejecting provisional ballots
Alabama Data provided by a state ballot official	A provisional ballot is rejected when: The provisional ballot voter is not registered to vote The provisional ballot voter cast the provisional ballot in a precinct where he/she does non reside The provisional election voter is determined to exist ineligible to vote based on a claiming The conditional election voter fails to provide proper photo ID It is determined that the provisional ballot voter requested and voted an absentee ballot despite the merits that the provisional election voter did not vote his/her absentee ballot
Alaska Alaska Stat. §15.fifteen.198	A person whose registration is inactive under AS 15.07.130(b) and who votes a questioned or absentee ballot shall have the ballot counted if: The person was registered to vote in the terminal four calendar years The person signs a statement to that effect; and The earlier registration is verified by the director
Arizona Ariz. Rev. Stat. §sixteen-584(E)	A conditional ballot is rejected when: Not registered No ballot in envelope Registered after 29-day cut-off No signature Insufficient/illegible information Signature does not friction match Wrong political party Exterior jurisdiction ballot Voter challenge upheld Voted in incorrect precinct Voted and returned an early ballot Proper identification not provided by deadline Administrative fault Not eligible
Arkansas Arkansas Constitution of 1874 Amendment 51, § 13	A provisional ballot is counted when: It is cast by a registered voter and is the right ballot for the precinct of the voter'south residence It is cast by a registered voter who presents proof of identity to the county clerk or the county board no later than apex the beginning Monday following the election; or Information technology is an absentee ballot and the canton board determines that the voter is eligible to vote in the precinct.
California Election Officer's Digest, 2014 Elections Observation Rights and Responsibilities, 2014	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Signature doesn't match voter registration signature Not for failure to cast a ballot in right precinct
Colorado Provisional Election FAQ, SOS Website	A provisional election is rejected when: Choosing to vote a provisional ballot than vote in correct county If the elector'south registration cannot be verified, the election shall not be counted
Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. §9-232n	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Non registered in proper precinct at time of casting election
Delaware Del. Lawmaking tit. xv, §4948	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Incomplete conditional election affidavit that does not include all of the following information: full name, complete address, political political party affiliation (principal elections only), and date of nativity No suitable identification Not registered to vote in the state or are not registered to vote in the election district in which they were cast
Commune of Columbia D.C. Mun. Regs. Tit. three, §807.3	A provisional ballot (aka special ballot) is counted when: The voter registered to vote at the polls or an early voting heart, the voter bandage the Special Ballot at the precinct in which the voter maintains residence or at an early voting center designated past the Board; The voter is a qualified elector of the District of Columbia; and The voter did non otherwise vote in the aforementioned ballot.
Florida Fla. Stat. §101.048	A conditional election is rejected when: Non registered Non entitled to vote at the precinct where the person cast a vote
Georgia Ga. Code §21-two-419 (c)(3)	A provisional ballot is rejected when: No registered Not otherwise eligible Registrars unable to determine within three days following the election whether the voter was registered or eligible to vote
Hawaii Haw. Admin. Rules § 3-172-140	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Whatsoever role of the conditional ballot application form or affirmation statement is incomplete, not executed, or altered, the provisional election shall be not be counted The canton clerk determines the individual is eligible under state police to vote in the precinct the individual wishes to vote in, the individual's provisional ballot shall exist counted in accordance with country constabulary The county clerk determines the individual is not eligible to vote in the precinct where the provisional ballot was cast, the provisional election shall not exist counted
Idaho	Due north/A
Illinois x ILCS 5/18A-xv	A provisional election is rejected when: Information available to the ballot authorization from 5 specifically-identified sources opposes registration status. If a conflict exists amongst the information bachelor, the ballot say-so shall make a determination by a totality of the circumstances The affidavit executed past the voter fails to contain the voter's first and terminal name, house number and street name and signature or mark The voter is determined to have voted by mail service in the ballot concerned; or The voter does non provide the election authorization with the necessary registration documentation (ID) inside vii days of the election
Indiana 2021 Ballot Ambassador's Manual Ind. Code § iii-xi.7-v-5	A provisional ballot is rejected when: The provisional voter affidavit has not been properly executed The provisional voter is not a qualified voter of the precinct The conditional voter failed to provide photo ID, if required The provisional voter did non register to vote at a registration bureau on a date within the registration period; or Ballot does non incorporate the initials of the poll clerks
Iowa Election Administrator'south Handbook	A conditional ballot is rejected when: Voter did not provide ID and was required to do so Voter was not registered in the precinct on election day Voter already returned an absentee election that was counted Voter is not qualified to vote; or Voter is inactive/awaiting and has not provided ID as required by the fourth dimension the lath meets to consider conditional and challenged absentee ballots
Kansas Kan. Admin. Regs. § seven-36-seven	A provisional election is rejected when: The voter did non provide additional information, an updated signature, or an boosted photocopy upon request past the county ballot officeholder or if the data, signature, or photocopy is inconsistent with the data on the voter registration listing
Kentucky Ky. Admin. Regs. tit. 31, § six:020	A provisional ballot is rejected when: The county board of elections determines the individual is ineligible to vote in the precinct in the ballot
Louisiana Information provided past a country election official	A provisional ballot is rejected when: The voter is non a registered voter or Fails to vote in the precinct where he is eligible to vote in the federal election
Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A §673	All challenged ballots are initially counted in the same manner as regular ballots. No further decision is made on the challenge unless a recount occurs and it is determined that the challenged ballot could affect the issue of the ballot. If there are enough challenged ballots to affect the outcome of an election, so the challenged ballots in that district volition exist segregated, and the basis for each claiming may be determined by the appropriate authorization designated past statute or by state or federal constitution.
Maryland Md. Ballot Police force §11-303	A conditional ballot is rejected when: Voter is determined non to be qualified The voter failed to sign the oath on the provisional ballot application The individual cast more than one ballot for the same election The local board determines that a provisional ballot is intentionally marked with an identifying mark that is clearly evident and placed on the election for the purpose of identifying the ballot; or If the intent of the voter with respect to a particular competition is not clearly demonstrated, the local board shall reject just the vote for that competition
Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 54, §76C	A provisional election is rejected when: The city or boondocks clerk determines that the private is ineligible to vote in the precinct in the ballot under the law of the commonwealth
Michigan Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 168.813	A provisional ballot is rejected when: The voter is not registered The voter did not show a proper ID or verification of residence
Minnesota	North/A
Mississippi Information provided by a state election official	A conditional ballot is rejected when: The voter is not a registered voter The voter is registered, but in wrong precinct The voter failed to render to the circuit clerk's office to present an adequate form of photo ID inside 5 business concern days of the election The voter failed to sign an affidavit of religious objection to beingness photographed in the circuit clerks' role within 5 business organization days of the election
Missouri Mo. Rev. Stat. §115.430 Rules of Elected Officials	A provisional election is rejected when: Not registered Not eligible Voted in wrong polling place
Montana Mont. Code § 13-fifteen-107	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Officials cannot verify the voter's identity or eligibility
Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. §32-1002(5)	A provisional election is rejected when: The voter is not registered Already voted in canton or elsewhere The voter failed to complete and sign a registration application Residence on registration is in a dissimilar county or in a unlike precinct Party amalgamation on the registration awarding completed prior to voting the provisional election is different than the political party affiliation that appears on the voter's voter registration record Failed to complete and sign the certification on the envelope or attached form
Nevada Nev. Rev. Stat. §293.3085	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Person who cast the provisional ballot cast the wrong ballot for the address at which the person resides
New Hampshire	North/A
New Jersey North.J. Stat. Ann. §nineteen:53C-17 North.J. Stat. Ann. §19:53C-13	A provisional ballot is rejected when: If the voter already bandage a provisional ballot If the name, signature, or address does not friction match the voter registration record and cannot be verified. If a provisional ballot voter votes a ballot in a commune other than the one in which the voter is qualified to vote, the votes for those offices and questions for which the voter would be otherwise qualified to vote are counted. All other votes are not counted.
New United mexican states 2019 Election Handbook NM ADC 1.10.22	A provisional ballot is rejected when: No signature Not registered Voter is registered to vote in some other county in the state If they already cast an absentee election
New York North.Y. Election Law § 5-403 N.Y. Ballot Police § nine-209	A conditional ballot is rejected oracceptedwhen: enquiry at the county lath supports the merits the voter makes in their oath on the ballot envelope, the ballot will be counted. If research proves otherwise, the ballot is not counted. Provisional ballots cast past voters who were in the correct poll site but at the wrong voter sign-in table, will exist counted, however merely those contests and questions which the two unlike districts had in mutual will be counted.
North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-182.two	A provisional ballot is rejected when the voter: Did not vote in the proper precinct nether Chiliad.S. 163-55 and G.Southward. 163-57 Is not registered in the county as provided in G.Due south. 163-82.1, or Is otherwise not eligible to vote
North Dakota NDCC § 16.ane-13-34	North Dakota does not require voters to annals and only uses conditional ballots if a court club has extended the polling hours. If this happens, the secretary of land would proscribe procedures.
Ohio Ohio Rev. Stat. §3505.183	A conditional ballot is rejected when:: The voter is not registered The voter Is non eligible to cast a ballot in that precinct or for that election The voter did non provide the required information The voter already voted The voter did non provide whatever additional information required inside 7 days of the ballot The voeter did not provide a electric current and valid identification The voter's information does not match the information in the voter registration database The voter's date of birth is different
Oklahoma Data provided by a state election official	A conditional ballot is rejected when: Voter is not registered to vote in the county or the voter's residence address is located in another precinct Voter's change of political party affiliation was not timely received or voter's residence address is not located within the boundaries of the school district or municipality for which the provisional election was cast Voter's identity cannot be verified equally required past land law based upon the information provided on the Provisional Election Affidavit The U.s./OV voter does not provide an accost of residence inside the county or the address provided is located in another precinct
Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. §254.408	A provisional ballot is counted when: The elector is validly registered to vote and the vote was properly cast The county clerk determines the registration of the elector is considered active or inactive The elector is qualified to vote for the particular office or on the mensurate
Pennsylvania Provisional Balloting Procedures	A provisional ballot is rejected or accepted when: If the lath of elections determines that the elector has knowingly voted in an improper election district, the board of elections may declare the ballot to be invalid. Withal, absent a decision of willfulness by the elector, the board should dispose of the conditional ballot as a election cast in the proper canton but at an improper election district and count the ballot equally to those offices for which, and questions on which, the elector was qualified to vote.
Rhode Isle Rules and Regulations for Provisional Voting	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Voter non registered or in the incorrect congressional commune Signature on latest voter reg. course on record does non lucifer signature on provisional ballot application Signature on latest voter reg. course on record does non match signature on provisional ballot application and voter has not submitted valid ID past 4 p.g. twenty-four hour period post-obit election The individual has cast a mail ballot, emergency ballot or war machine election in the same election
S Carolina S.C. Code § seven-seven-910	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Case in wrong precinct
South Dakota Southward.D. Codification Laws § 12-20-5.1	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Not registered
Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. §2-seven-112	A provisional ballot is rejected when: The voter is not properly registered in that precinct The voter already voted in a unlike precinct
Texas Tex. Elec. Code §65.054	A conditional ballot is counted when: The person is eligible to vote in the ballot and has non previously voted in that election; or The person: meets the identification requirements the voter executes an affidavit under penalty of perjury that states the voter has a religious objection to existence photographed and the voter has consistently refused to be photographed for whatever governmental purpose from the time the voter has held this belief; or executes an affidavit under penalty of perjury that states the voter does not have any identification as a result of a natural disaster that was alleged by the president of the United States or the governor, occurred not earlier than 45 days earlier the date the ballot was bandage; and The voter has not been challenged for any reason other than lack of identification.
Utah Utah Code § 20A-iv-107	A provisional ballot is counted when: The person provides valid voter identification to the county clerk or an election officeholder who is administering the election by the shut of normal function hours on Monday after the date of the election
Vermont Vt. Stat. Ann. Championship 17 § 2555 Vt. Stat. Ann. Title 17 § 2557 Vt. Stat. Ann. Title 17 § 2121	If a voter chooses to vote by conditional election, the clerk reviews the application and determine eligibility after the close of the polls. The following eligibility conditions must be met: a citizen of the United States; a resident of the state of Vermont; has taken the voter'southward oath; and 18 years of age or more. Any person coming together the requirements of subdivisions (a)(1)-(3) of this section who will exist eighteen years of age on or before the date of a general election may register and vote in the chief election immediately preceding that general election.
Virginia Va. Code § 24.2-653	A provisional ballot is rejected when: Not eligible to vote in precinct Unable to determine right to vote No proper ID
Washington Wash. Admin. Lawmaking § 434-262-032	A provisional election is rejected when: Not registered Already voted a regular ballot Signature on provisional ballot envelope does not friction match the voter registration tape and/or they do non present a proper ID
Westward Virginia W. Va. Lawmaking § 3-1-41	A conditional election is rejected or countedwhen: Conditional ballots may non be counted by the election officials. The county commission shall, on its own motion, at the time of canvassing of the election returns, sit in session to determine the validity of whatever challenges according to the provisions of this affiliate. If the county commission determines that the challenges are unfounded, each conditional ballot of each challenged voter, if otherwise valid, shall be counted and tallied together with the regular ballots cast in the election. The county commission, as the lath of canvassers, shall protect the privacy of each conditional ballot cast. The county commission shall disregard technical errors, omissions or oversights if information technology tin reasonably exist ascertained that the challenged voter was entitled to vote. Annotation: Guidance on deciding whether or not to count provisional ballots is provided in the Secretary of State's manual 2014 Best Practices Guide for Canvass and Recount.
Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 7.52	A conditional ballot is rejected when: If voter does not provide the proper documentation to testify eligibility to vote (ID or proof of residency) by iv p.m. the Fri after the ballot.
Wyoming Wyo. Stat. § 22-15-105	A provisional ballot is rejected when: The voter is not on the registration rolls and is registering for the first time on Election Day but did not present documentation at the polls or by close of business on the post-obit mean solar day.

How Does a Voter Find Out If a Provisional Vote Was Counted?

HAVA requires the state or local election official to give the person casting a provisional ballot information on how he or she can discover out whether the voted was counted, and, if not, the reason why not. The police says this may exist "a toll-free telephone number or an Net website" established for that purpose.

This requirement often is reflected in state statute, dominion, or in the election transmission. In 2020, 45 states and Washington, D.C., provided an online tool for voters to track their ballots and find out if their conditional ballot was counted.

What Time Is Allotted to Determine the Condition of Provisional Ballots?

Each country establishes when provisional ballots are processed. For example, some states base this timeframe on how long the voter has to prove eligibility every bit detailed above, or they use the same timeframe equally the official election canvass.

Fourth dimension Allotted to Determine the Status of Provisional Ballots
Land	When Provisional Ballots Are Counted
Alabama Provisional Voting in Alabama	By noon, seven days after the election.
Alaska Alaska Stat. §fifteen.20.205	Xv days.
Arizona Elections Procedures Manual, 2014	Ten business days following the general federal election and five days for all other elections.
Arkansas Rules on Poll Watchers, Vote Challenges, and Conditional Voting	Forty-viii hours—15 days afterward the election.
California Cal. Elec. Lawmaking § 14310	The canvass shall embark no later than the Th post-obit the election, shall be open to the public, and, for land or statewide elections, shall effect in a report of results to the Secretary of State. The canvass shall be continued daily, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excepted, for not less than six hours each mean solar day until completed.
Colorado Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-8.v-105 (5)	X days afterward a principal or 14 days after a full general election.
Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-232n	Not later than vi days afterward the ballot or primary.
Delaware Del. Lawmaking tit. fifteen, § 4948	The twenty-four hour period following an election in which provisional ballots were used, the Department shall meet to examine the provisional ballots, determine which of the ballots should be tallied in accord with the rules stated below, and so tally those ballots.
District of Columbia Voting by Special Election FAQ	Ten days later the election.
Florida Information provided by a state ballot official	The provisional ballot count must exist completed past apex on the tertiary day afterward a main election, and noon on the quaternary twenty-four hour period after a general ballot.
Georgia Ga. Lawmaking. § 21-ii-419 (c) (ane)	Three days to prove identity or for canton registrar to verify registration.
Hawaii Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 11-174.5	Twenty days.
Idaho	North/A
Illinois 10 ILCS v/18A-15	Fourteen days following the election.
Indiana Ind. Code § 3-xi.seven-five-1	Ten days after the election.
Iowa Election Administrator's Handbook	Thursday after Election Day.
Kansas Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-3104 The Kansas Election Standards	Provisional ballots are counted as part of the intermediate canvass conducted by the county board of canvassers on either the Mon or 2d Th following the election.
Kentucky Ky. Admin. Regs. tit. 13, § six:020	Non afterwards than 12 p.thousand., prevailing fourth dimension, on the Friday following the election.
Louisiana La. Rev. Stat. § eighteen:566.two	Provisional ballots shall be counted on the third twenty-four hours following the election.
Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A §673	Reasonable fourth dimension after the election.
Maryland Maryland State Board of Elections, Challengers, Watchers & Other Election Observers Manual	If provisional ballot because of lack of proper ID, the voter has until ten a.thousand. on the 2d Wednesday later the election to provide proper ID to local lath of elections.
Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 76C	Twelve days.
Michigan Election Inspector'south Manual	Six agenda days later the ballot.
Minnesota	N/A
Mississippi Mississippi Poll Manager Guide	5 business days.
Missouri Miss. Code Ann. §115.511	Aforementioned time as official canvass, ii weeks following the election.
Montana Mont. Lawmaking § xiii-15-107	6 days.
Nebraska Pecker. Rev. Stat. § 32-1002	The verification and investigation shall be completed within seven days after the election.
Nevada Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.387	Six working days post-obit the election.
New Hampshire	N/A
New Jersey N.J. Stat. § 19:19-1	Before the Monday following the election when the Board of County Canvassers meets.
New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § one-12-7.1	Voter has until v p.one thousand. on the second day following the election to provide proper identification.
New York N.Y. Election Law, § 9-209	No more than fourteen days later on a general or special election and no more viii days later on a primary election at which such ballots are voted.
North Carolina Due north.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-182.2	Vote counting at the precinct shall occur immediately after the polls close and shall exist continuous until completed.
Northward Dakota	North/A
Ohio Ohio Code § 3505.183	Until any hearing required to be conducted under section 3503.24 of the Revised Code with regard to the provisional voter is held, or until the eleventh day later on the day of the election, whichever is earlier.
Oklahoma Okla. Admin. Code 230:35-five-177	Afterward 5 p.yard. on Friday after Election 24-hour interval.
Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 254.426	14 days.
Pennsylvania Most Provisional Voting	Seven days.
Rhode Isle Provisional Election Overview	Forty-8 hours after the election.
South Carolina South.C. Lawmaking Ann. § 7-13-830, § 7-17-ten, § seven-17-510	Before the board of canvassers encounter, on the Th following a chief/runoff or the Friday post-obit a general or special election.
South Dakota S.D. Codification Laws § 12-20-13.2, 12-twenty-xiii.iii	Seven-17 days following the ballot, simply prior to the official canvass.
Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. §two-7-112	The counting of all conditional ballots must be completed within four business days of the close of polls on Election 24-hour interval.
Texas Tex. Election Lawmaking § 65.051	7-13 days.
Utah Utah Lawmaking 20A-four-301(i)(b)	Counted during the official canvass no later than 14 days after the election.
Vermont Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2557	2 days afterwards the election.
Virginia Va. Code § 24.2-653	7 calendar days from the date of the ballot.
Washington Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.sixty.190	14-21 days after the election.
West Virginia Due west. Va. Code, § three-half-dozen-9	Provisional ballots are investigated during sheet, on the fifth twenty-four hour period after the ballot.
Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 7.52	At four p.m. the Friday after the election.
Wyoming Wyo. Stat. § 22-16-103	The first Friday following the ballot.

Which States Do Non Utilise Provisional Ballots?

States that offered aforementioned-mean solar day voter registration at the fourth dimension the National Voter Registration Act was enacted (1993) are also exempt from HAVA's provisional ballot requirements. Those states are: Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Northward Dakota (which does not require voter registration although it does go on a list of voters), Wisconsin and Wyoming.

While those land are not required to provide conditional ballots under HAVA, they are also not prohibited from using conditional ballots.

North Dakota, for example, uses them in cases where the hours at a polling place have been extended. Wisconsin uses provisional ballots for same-day registration when a voter is not able to provide required identification. In this example, a conditional ballot is not counted until identification is shown, allowing the voter to register.

Similarly, Wyoming uses provisional ballots if the voter is non on the registration listing and does not take proper identification in order to annals on Ballot Day, if they are challenged by a poll watcher or if there are extended polling hours. The voter is then required to provide additional data, such every bit proof of residence or identification, in order for the ballot to exist counted. The provisional election will not be counted if the voter does not provide the requisite information needed for registration.

Idaho, Minnesota and New Hampshire do not issue provisional ballots at all.

Additional Resources

Conditional Voting, The U.S. Election Assistance Commission

Most This Project

The development of this webpage was generously supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts.