It’s meaning if you have to vote with one

More than 8 million voters in Florida have cast their ballot, with millions more casting their vote today during Election Day.

But what happens if your registration or identity is questioned when you arrive at your voting precinct? You’re allowed to ask for an explanation and cast a provisional ballot.

Wondering what that is? Here’s what you need to know about casting a provisional ballot in Florida.

What is a provisional ballot in Florida? Here’s what it means for Florida voters

According to Florida Statute 101.048, a “provisional ballot” is a voting method for a voter whose eligibility is in question or if their voting or registration status cannot be verified at their polling site.

That county’s canvassing board will examine each provisional ballot to determine if the vote will be counted.

As for why someone would vote with a provisional ballot, the Collier County Supervisor of Elections says one of the most common reasons voters must vote a provisional ballot is not providing proper identification at the polls.

Other reasons may include voters who registered after the voter registration deadline for that particular election or voters who are not registered to vote in the state of Florida.

Do all states offer provisional ballots?

All states have been required to use provisional ballots since 2002 due to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) becoming law.

Does a provisional ballot count?

Yes, but only if it is determined you are registered.

If it is determined that the person was registered and entitled to vote at the precinct where the person cast a vote, the canvassing board will then compare the signature on the “Provisional Ballot Voter’s Certificate and Affirmation” with the signature on the voter’s registration. If it matches, they will count the ballot.

Florida Statues share that provisional ballot may be counted only if:

• The signature on the voter’s certificate or the cure affidavit matches the elector’s signature in the registration books or the precinct register; however, in the case of a cure affidavit, the supporting identification listed in subsection (6) must also confirm the identity of the elector; or
• The cure affidavit contains a signature that does not match the elector’s signature in the registration books or the precinct register, but the elector has submitted a current and valid Tier 1 form of identification confirming his or her identity pursuant to subsection (6).

What happens when you vote with a provisional ballot?

Once voted, the provisional ballot will be placed in a secrecy envelope and sealed in a provisional ballot envelope. The provisional ballot will be deposited in a ballot box.

“All provisional ballots must remain sealed in their envelopes for return to the supervisor of elections. The department shall prescribe the form of the provisional ballot envelope,” the state statutes explain. “A person casting a provisional ballot has the right to present written evidence supporting his or her eligibility to vote to the supervisor of elections by not later than 5 p.m. on the second day following the election.

How do I know if my provisional vote was accepted?

Within 30 days of Election Day, the Supervisor of Elections office will notify those who voted via a provisional ballot of the status of their vote.

What happens if a provisional ballot is rejected?

MIT’s Election Lab says if the voter wasn’t registered for the election they voted in, the ballot will remain in the secrecy envelope and will not be counted.

How to check if you are registered to vote in Florida

The deadline to register in Florida passed last month but you can still check to make sure you’re an active voter before heading to the polls.

You can verify that you’re still registered and all the information is correct by going here and entering your name and birth date. Submit the form to see your voter status, address, county, voter ID number, political party, and voter status. “Active” means you are eligible to vote.

Where do you vote? How to find your precinct

If you didn’t vote early and plan on voting today, you can’t cast your vote at any polling location. You can vote only in your precinct, which is determined by your address.

To find which voting location you are supposed to vote at, go to your county’s elections website and go to “voter precinct lookup” or “find my precinct.”