Provisional voting is a safety net to ensure no eligible voter is turned away on Election Day. Voters may cast a provisional ballot if there are questions about their eligibility or if they are unable to vote a regular ballot at the polling place.

When Is Provisional Voting Used?

Chatham County voters may be offered a provisional ballot if:

• No record of registration is found
• The voter moved but did not update their address
• The voter was previously removed from the registration rolls
• The voter does not present acceptable photo ID
• The voter is at the wrong precinct
• The voter is attempting to vote a ballot for a party they are not affiliated with during a partisan primary
• The voter is listed as having already voted
• There is a jurisdictional dispute
• The voter cast a ballot during extended hours due to a court order
• The voter completes an ID Exception Form or plans to return with a valid ID

How the Provisional Process Works

1. The voter is referred to the Help Station and receives a Help Referral Form explaining the reason for provisional voting.
2. An election official helps the voter complete a Provisional Voting Application and issues a provisional ballot and envelope.
3. The voter marks the ballot in private, seals it in the envelope, and returns it to the Help Station.
4. The voter is provided with a Provisional Identification Number (PIN) to track the status of their ballot.

Election officials at the Chatham County Board of Elections review all provisional applications. If the voter is eligible, the sealed ballot is approved, opened, and counted (fully or partially, depending on eligibility). If ineligible, the sealed ballot is not counted.

Check the Status of a Provisional Ballot

Provisional ballot status will be available approximately 10 days after the election. To check the status:

• Use the Provisional Ballot Lookup Tool
• Call the Chatham County Board of Elections at (919) 545-8500

Need Help?

Still have questions about provisional voting? Contact the Chatham County Board of Elections at elections@chathamcountync.gov or call (919) 545-8500.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about how provisional voting works? Here are some of the most common questions we hear from voters in Chatham County. If you need additional assistance, please contact the Chatham County Board of Elections.