An affidavit (or provisional) ballot can be requested in a number of scenarios and will be counted after being verified by your local board of elections.
You can request an affidavit ballot for a number of reasons (these are for New York State – please check your local board of elections for clarification).
- If the voter has been issued an absentee, military or special ballot, but wishes to vote in person during early voting or on election day,
- If the voter is voting for the first time and is unable to provide identification,
- If the voter’s name does not appear in the poll records
- If in a primary election, the voter is listed as being a member of one party but wishes to vote as a member of a different party (Does not apply in November)
Ballots will be counted if the county board of elections, in their research, support the claim that the voter makes in their oath on the ballot envelope.
Voters using an affidavit ballot, must be provided with a website or phone number where the voter can check to see whether their ballot was counted.
For more information about registering to vote, to check your registration status, or for information about absentee ballots go to vote.gov.
For more election information go to: https://libguides.ithaca.edu/polticomm