Provisional voters may check their ballot status at Illinois State Board of Elections. Call our office if you have questions.
A provisionally voted ballot is the same as a regular ballot, but it will only be counted if the Election Authority office can verify after Election Day that the voter is registered and qualified to vote in the election.
Circumstances for Provisional Voting:
- Voter’s name does not appear on the list of registered voters for this precinct and has refused opportunity to register at polls or other grace period registration site.
- Voter is required to show identification when voting, but fails to do so.
- Voter’s voting status has been challenged by an election judge, pollwatcher or another voter and a majority of the election judges agree.
- Voter was sent a vote by mail ballot but has not returned it to election authority.
- Voter’s name appears as having voted early, but claims that he/she did not vote early.
- Voter attempted to register to vote on election day but failed to provide the necessary documentation.
- A court order is issued instructing the polling place to remain open after 7:00 p.m. (Everyone voting after 7:00 p.m. must vote provisionally if this occurs.)
Polling place procedures:
- Fill out and sign the affidavit form on the provisional envelope. A copy/receipt will be given to the voter.
- An election judge will note on the affidavit the reason(s) for voting provisionally.
- The judge will place any documentation provided by voter in the clear plastic window attached to the envelope.
- After voting, voter will place the ballot inside the security envelope, seal it and return it to the election judge.
- If a mistake is made, ask an election judge for a new ballot. Do not seal the spoiled ballot in the envelope.
After the polls close:
- The Election Authority office receives all ballots voted provisionally and investigates the registration information for each provisional voter within two weeks after the election.
- If the Election Authority determines the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the precinct where the ballot was cast, the envelope is opened and the ballot is counted.
- If voter is not registered, the envelope will not be opened and the ballot will not count. However, the information supplied on the envelope will serve as a registration application.
Additional information:
If you have any information, identification or documents (e.g. receipt from the Secretary of State office, copy from a deputy registrar form) to show evidence of registration, please:
-
Provide it to the election judges on Election Day.
- Bring it to the Election Authority office.
The Election Authority office must receive all supporting information within 7 days of Election Day.
Find out if your vote counts at Illinois State Board of Elections or call
866-513-1121, beginning 2 weeks after the election. If your ballot was not
counted, you may also learn the reason why it was not.
