Iowa Provisional Voting

Provisional ballots are counted the Thursday after Election Day.

If your name is not on the list of registered voters, you may register to vote at the polls on Election day and vote a regular ballot.

If you do not have the proper forms of ID to register on Election Day, or if someone challenges your right to vote on Election day, you may cast a provisional ballot.

The envelope has a place for you to explain why you believe that the ballot should count. A special board will meet after Election Day to look at your registration record and the information you have provided. The board will then decide if your ballot can be counted. Before you leave the polls, you will be given a written notice explaining your voting rights and listing the date on which the special ballot board will meet. If your ballot is not counted, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining why it cannot be counted.