Provisional Ballots

At all elections, a voter claiming to be properly registered in the county and eligible to vote at the precinct in the election, but whose eligibility cannot be determined is entitled to vote a provisional ballot.

A few reasons why a voter may have to vote a provisional ballot are:

• Any voter who has moved into St. Johns County from another Florida county and is making an address change at the polling place must vote a provisional ballot unless the voter is a member of the uniformed services or in the immediate family of the member of the uniformed services. The provisional ballot will be counted if verification is made that the person has not already cast a ballot in the election.
• If polling hours are extended for any reason, any voter who was not in line at 7:00 P.M. must vote a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be counted, but this method allows for separation of any vote totals cast after 7:00 P.M. should any legal challenges arise.

Provisional ballots are:

• Sealed in an envelope and kept separate from the regular voted ballots.
• Returned to the Elections Office where they are reviewed by the Canvassing Board which determines whether the ballot will be counted.
• Counted if a determination is made that the person:
  • Voted in the correct precinct.
  • Is registered and entitled to vote.
  • Has not already cast a ballot in the election.
• Never opened if rejected as illegal.

A voter who votes a provisional ballot may present evidence necessary to validate his or her identification by 5 pm on the second day after the election.

Free Access System
In order to determine if your provisional ballot was counted, please call the Supervisor of Elections Office at the number listed below, Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.