Casting Provisional Ballots
If you are told that you are ineligible to vote — for any reason — you have the right to request and submit a provisional ballot. A voter may be deemed ineligible to vote if their name is not identified on the voter registration list or if the voter lacks proper identification. This does not mean they can be denied the right to vote, thus the provisional ballot. A provisional ballot allows you to vote in an election even if your eligibility to vote is in question.
Once you cast your provisional ballot, it will be reviewed by election officials to determine your voter eligibility. If your provisional ballot is deemed eligible, your signature on the ballot will then be compared to signature on your voter registration. This is called signature matching. If the signatures match the provisional ballot will be counted.
Check the status of your provisional ballot.
Provisional Ballots May Be Rejected
The provisional ballot may be rejected if the voter was not registered, ineligible to vote at the precinct where the provisional ballot was submitted, or if the signature on the provisional ballot does not match the signature of record in the voter registration records.
The Supervisor of Elections will attempt to notify voters who have submitted a provisional ballot that does not include the voter’s signature or contains a signature that does not match the voter’s signature. The Supervisor of Elections may attempt to contact you by email, text message, phone call.
The voter must also be directed to complete a cure affidavit. See our page, How to Remedy or "Cure" Your Rejected Ballot.
The voter must complete the cure affidavit and return it along with a copy of Tier 1 or Tier 2 identification by no later than 5PM on the second day after the election to be processed for the current election. The cure affidavit can be returned by email, fax or regular mail; however, it is suggested the both items are returned via email to mailballot@votepinellas.com to ensure receipt prior to the deadline of 5:00PM after the second day of the election.
Know Your Rights Regarding Provisional Ballots
Your vote is protected by the Constitution. Know your rights and exercise them.
If you are eligible to vote but your eligibility is in question, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot.
You have the right to find out if your provisional ballot was counted, and if not, the reason why.
You have the right to provide written evidence supporting your eligibility to vote to the supervisor of elections no later than 5:00PM of the second day following the election.
We recommend calling and emailing the Supervisor of Elections to track your provisional ballot. If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact the Supervisor of Elections.
Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections
13001 Starkey Rd., Largo FL 33773
Phone (727) 464-8683
Fax (727) 464-6239
Email: election@votepinellas.com