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PROVISIONAL BALLOTS
A provisional ballot is issued
to a voter if there is a question regarding his or her registration status or
eligibility to vote in the election.
A provisional ballot is the
same as a regular ballot, but it will only be counted if the Election Authority’s
office can verify after Election Day that the voter is registered and qualified to
vote in the election.
Circumstances where
Provisional Ballots are used:
- Your name does not appear on
the list of registered voters for this precinct.
- Your voting status has been
challenged by an election judge, pollwatcher or another voter and a majority
of the election judges agree.
- A court order is issued
instructing your polling place to remain open after 7:00 p.m. (Everyone voting
after 7:00 p.m. must cast provisional ballots if this occurs.)
- You are required to show
identification because you registered by mail, but you did not bring your ID
to the polling place on Election Day.
Polling place procedures:
- Fill out and sign the legal
affidavit form. You will receive a copy of the affidavit.
- An election judge will note
on the affidavit the reason(s) you were issued a provisional ballot. The
judge will place the original affidavit and any documentation you provide in
an envelope with the clear plastic window.
- After voting your ballot,
place the provisional ballot inside the security envelope, seal it and return
it to the election judge.
- If you make a mistake, ask
an election judge for a new ballot. Do not seal the spoiled ballot in the
envelope.
After the polls close:
- The Election Authority’s
office receives all provisional ballots and verifies the registration
information for each provisional voter within two weeks after the election.
- If the Election Authority’s
office determines that you are registered and eligible to vote, the envelope
is opened and your ballot is counted.
- If you are not registered,
the envelope will not be opened and the votes you cast will not count.
However, the information you 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’s
Office, copy from a deputy registration form) to show that you are a
registered voter or eligible to vote, please:
- Provide it to the election
judges on Election Day.
- Bring it to the Election
Authority’s office.
- The Election Authority’s
office must receive all supporting information before the close of business on
the Thursday following Election Day.
Find out if your vote
counts:
Visit
www.elections.state.il.us or call
(866) 513-1121, starting 2 weeks after the election. If your ballot was not
counted, you may also learn the reason why it was not.
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