Expect a ballot

The term 'provisional voting' was introduced in Kansas in 1996 as a result of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). A provisional ballot is available if there is any question about your eligibility to vote. If a provisional ballot is not offered, you may request one from the election board worker.

A provisional ballot is provided if, as a registered voter, you change your name or address within the county and fail to re-register before the election. You may vote a provisional ballot if there is a question about your United States citizenship, age, registration, residence, or if there is an indication that you have a felony conviction or have already voted during that election. First-time voters in the county are required to show identification. If a first-time voter fails to provide identification, the voter will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.

Procedure for voting a provisional ballot:

1. Before receiving a ballot, you must complete a new voter registration application form, which will be attached to a provisional ballot envelope.
2. The reason for the provisional ballot will be written on the envelope, along with your number in the poll book. Two election board workers must sign the envelope. One of the board workers will write the word 'provisional' next to your name in the poll book.
3. Mark your ballot. If electronic voting machines are used in your county, you will be given a paper ballot unless the electronic voting machine accommodates provisional ballots. The ballot is then sealed in the provisional ballot envelope.
4. The envelope containing the ballot is secured with other provisional ballots. These ballots are not counted on Election Day but are set aside for consideration by the county canvassers, the board that certifies the results.

Former precinct voting. If you are a registered voter and have moved from one precinct in the state to another precinct in the state 30 days before the election, you may return to your former precinct to vote a regular ballot. This type of voting is guaranteed by the Kansas Constitution in Article 5 and in state law in Kansas Statutes Annotated 25-3701 and 25-3702. The law does not require this type of ballot to be provisional, but if there is a question about its validity it may be made provisional the same as any other ballot.

Procedure for finding out if your provisional ballot was counted
If you vote a provisional ballot on Election Day, contact your county election office to inquire if your vote counted.