General Discussion

Joe Nation

(963 posts) Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:14 PM Nov 2018

My Son Tried to Vote in Des Moines, IA Today

He registered weeks ago and as of today had never heard back from anyone. He kept checking online to see if he was registered and never got confirmation that he was. Today he went to the polling place near his campus and they said that he wasn't registered. They made him fill out the same registration form he had filled out weeks ago and then they gave him a provisional ballot. He said that there were many, many other students from his school also filling out provisional ballots. On the bright side, he overhead a couple of elderly poll workers discussing the fact that many of the people showing up at the polls today were Democrats. So, if any Iowans are out there, what does Iowa do with provisional ballots?

5 replies

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My Son Tried to Vote in Des Moines, IA Today (Original Post) Joe Nation Nov 2018 OP

They'd better count them! elleng Nov 2018 #1

You can register at the polls in Iowa. Skidmore Nov 2018 #2

Don't know about Iowa, but I'll tell you what happens in FL. lark Nov 2018 #3

After the election they will check to see if he was registered Jersey Devil Nov 2018 #4

People who cast provisional ballots need to follow up KCDebbie Nov 2018 #5

elleng

(130,895 posts)

1. They'd better count them!

Reply to Joe Nation (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:16 PM

Nov 2018

Good luck to them/us all!

Skidmore

(37,364 posts)

2. You can register at the polls in Iowa.

Reply to Joe Nation (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:18 PM

Nov 2018

https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edr.html

Send this link to him. We have same day registration.

lark

(23,099 posts)

3. Don't know about Iowa, but I'll tell you what happens in FL.

Reply to Joe Nation (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:20 PM

Nov 2018

The person has until 3 days after the voting today to bring in proof of identity or registration and then the ballot is counted.

Do you know if the people at the polls called the Supervisor of Elections about this? We had this same thing happen to a student here in Jax. and the Precinct Manager called SoE office, confirmed he was registered, and he was allowed to vote the regular way.

Jersey Devil

(9,874 posts)

4. After the election they will check to see if he was registered

Reply to Joe Nation (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:20 PM

Nov 2018

If he was, they will count the ballot. If he wasn't they will toss it. If there is a question about it due to some bureaucratic screwup at the board of elections, it will go before a judge.

KCDebbie

(664 posts)

5. People who cast provisional ballots need to follow up

Reply to Joe Nation (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:23 PM

Nov 2018

In the next day or two at your local election board to resolve whatever issue required casting the provisional ballot or the ballot will not be counted!

Make sure your son and his friends know that they have to follow up, in person, with all their ID or their ballots will be thrown out!

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