{"id":351514,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/what-are-the-provisional-ballot-laws-by-state.html"},"modified":"2026-03-09T11:43:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:43:07","slug":"what-are-the-provisional-ballot-laws-by-state","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/what-are-the-provisional-ballot-laws-by-state.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Provisional Ballot? Your Right To Vote When Registration Issues Arise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Is a Provisional Ballot? Your Right To Vote When Registration Issues Arise<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

A provisional ballot<\/span> is a temporary ballot that allows you to vote when your voter registration<\/span> or eligibility<\/span> is questioned at the polls. Federal law guarantees your right to cast a provisional ballot<\/span> if your name isn’t on the voter roll or you lack required ID. Election officials<\/span> will count your vote if they verify your eligibility<\/span> after Election Day<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A\u00a0provisional ballot<\/span>\u00a0ensures that voters can cast their vote even when questions arise about their registration or\u00a0eligibility<\/span>\u00a0to vote. Federal law guarantees your right to a\u00a0provisional ballot<\/span>\u00a0if your name isn’t on the voter roll, you lack the required ID, or you face other\u00a0eligibility<\/span>\u00a0questions.\u00a0Election officials<\/span>\u00a0will count your vote if they verify your\u00a0eligibility<\/span>\u00a0after\u00a0Election Day<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you encounter problems at your\u00a0polling place<\/span>, don’t leave without voting.\u00a0<\/strong>Ask for a\u00a0provisional ballot<\/span>. This is your legal right under federal law.<\/p>\n

Your Right to a\u00a0Provisional Ballot<\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Help America Vote Act<\/span> (HAVA<\/span>)<\/a>\u00a0of 2002 guarantees every eligible voter the right to cast a\u00a0provisional ballot<\/span>\u00a0when their\u00a0voter registration<\/span> or eligibility<\/span>\u00a0is questioned. Under\u00a0federal law<\/a>,\u00a0poll workers<\/span>\u00a0are legally required to offer you a\u00a0provisional ballot<\/span>. This means they cannot turn you away without giving you the opportunity to vote.<\/p>\n