When a voter in line presents on election day to a polling place that is not the voter’s proper precinct, the election greeter (or other election official) has the opportunity to explain why this creates a problem for the voter and to help the voter find his or her proper precinct. Precincts are assigned based on where a given voter has resided as of 30 days prior to election day. If the voter does not want to go to the proper precinct, he or she should be offered a provisional ballot.
Election officials should not suggest to the voter that he or she is being denied the opportunity to vote. The decision to leave the site and not cast a provisional ballot must be solely the voter’s decision.
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On election day, you must vote at the polling place assigned to your precinct to vote a regular ballot. The proper precinct is determined based on the address where you have resided for at least 30 days prior to today.
Based on your address, it appears that the polling place for your precinct is located at [name and address of polling place for the voter’s proper precinct]. Your options are to go to the precinct before it closes to cast a regular ballot, or, if you prefer not to go to your precinct, you may cast a provisional ballot here today. What would you like to do?
If the voter would prefer to cast a provisional ballot in this precinct, say:
Okay. When you reach the check-in station, please let the official know that you are not in your precinct and that you would like to vote a provisional ballot today. He or she will direct you to the help station. The help station will provide you the provisional voting materials and instructions on how to check the status of your provisional ballot. |