Chapter 5. Registering To Vote, this link opens in a new browser tab.
5.E. Other Voter Registration Methods, this link opens in a new browser tab.
5.E.2. Registering To Vote Online or by Mail
Poll watchers have little to do with registering to vote online or by mail, but poll watchers may see the outcome of online registration or registration by mail in the Polling Place.
Those who register to vote online or register by mail may be asked to provide identification at the Polling Place in order to complete registration. A notice will appear in the state's online e-poll book when the voter applies for a ballot.
A voter who cannot or will not produce the required documentation in order to complete registration will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Unlike a voter who does not produce documentation under other circumstances (see: The Voter Attempted to Register to Vote on Election Day, but Failed to Provide the Necessary Documentation, this link opens in a new browser tab.), a voter who does not provide documentation for online or by mail registration is allowed to vote a Provisional Ballot during Early Voting.
5.E.2.a. Vote A Provisional Ballot
Voting a Provisional Ballot is always the last choice.
Voting a Provisional Ballot allows the voter up to the end of business 7 (seven) days after Election Day to resolve the problem by providing proper documentation to the Election Authority.
Also see: Voting a Provisional Ballot As A Last Resort, this link opens in a new browser tab.
For the 2026 — 2027 Election Cycle, 7 (seven) days after the election is:.
- 2026 Primary: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
- 2026 General Election: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- 2027 Consolidated Election Primary: Tuesday, March 2, 2027
- 2027 Consolidated Election: Tuesday, April 13, 2027
Written Instructions
Before leaving the Polling Place, the Election Judge must provide the voter with written instructions that directs the voter to the office of the Election Authority to complete registration and validate the Provisional Ballot.
The written instructions should include:
- Whether the Election Authority for that jurisdiction is the County Clerk or a local Board of Election Commissioners.
- The address for the Election Authority, including room number.
- The hours of the Election Authority.
- The date of the last day to appear at the office of the Election Authority.
- The reason the voter registration is incomplete.
- A list of acceptable documentation.
Rule of Thumb.
The Election Judge — or the poll watcher, if given the chance — should urge the voter to provide documentation to the office of the Election Authority as early as possible, in the case the Election Authority requests further documentation.
What the Poll Watcher Is Looking For.
The poll watcher should be aware that the request for additional ID for online voter registration or voter registration by mail must come from the state's online e-poll book and not from any individual Election Judge.
The poll watcher can ask to see the online e-poll book to confirm the request.
No group can be singled out to provide additional documentation to the office of the Election Authority.