What to do if your name isn’t on the voter list

What if you show up to vote, and your name isn’t on the voter list? The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office says:

If you’re not on the voters list when you check in to vote, or if your information on the list is wrong, you can cast a provisional ballot. If your local election office confirms that you’re registered to vote, your ballot will be counted. If your voter registration status can’t be confirmed, your ballot will be destroyed and not counted.

The same website lists some reasons for voting provisionally:

• Name is not on the Voter List

If you believe that you’re registered to vote but your name isn’t on the list at your polling location, check to make sure that you’re at the right polling location. If you are, ask the poll worker to contact your local election office to confirm that you’re registered to vote.

If you’ve moved recently, you might still be registered to vote at your old address. Your local election office will be able to check if you’re registered in another city or town. You can vote at your old polling location for up to six months after you move. You cannot do this in local election or if you’re already registered elsewhere. You can update your address by submitting a new voter registration form.

If your name is not on the voter list because you did not return your city census (or because the city did not process it properly), the clerk’s office told Quincy Votes!:

If a voter hasn't returned their census by election day they will be on the "inactive" list. They will still be allowed to vote however they will need to provide a form of ID with their name and address (driver's license, State ID, car registration, tax bill, etc.) and asked to sign a "Roster affirmation of Current & Continuous Residence". 

• Incorrect Party Enrollment

Party enrollment does not impact the general election. No matter your party enrollment, you can vote in the general election.

• Can't Provide Identification

If you’re voting for the first time in Massachusetts and you’re not able to show identification when you check in to vote, you can cast a provisional ballot. You must return with proof of identification before the polls close for your ballot to be counted.

If you registered to vote by mail, you may have to show identification at your polling place. This is required when you haven’t had your ID verified before Election Day. If you do not have ID with you, you can cast a provisional ballot. You must return with valid ID before the polls close for your ballot to be counted.

Resolving Provisional Ballots

Local election offices must resolve all provisional ballots within three days of state or presidential primary elections. Provisional ballots cast for state and local elections must be resolved within 12 days of the election. If your local election office finds that you are an eligible voter, your ballot will be counted.

You can call the Elections Division at 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) after Election Day to see if your ballot has been counted.

MIT has an interesting website about provisional ballots.