Facts About Voting

NO PROOF OF REGISTRATION or NO IDENTIFICATION If you cannot prove you have registered to vote, you have the right to file a provisional ballot. To do so, you sign an affirmation that you are entitled to vote and your ballot will be preserved in a sealed envelope until your registration is confirmed. IF YOUR VOTE IS CHALLENGED If a poll watcher challenges your vote, you have the right to file a provisional ballot that will be set aside in a sealed envelope until the local Election Commission determines whether to count your vote. A poll watcher, generally someone who works on behalf of a candidate, may not speak with you, challenge you in bad faith, be within 6 feet of the voting area, disrupt the election or electioneer within 100 feet of the polling site`s main entrance. IN EITHER CASE Voters who file a provisional ballot have the right to be informed in writing of whether the ballot was counted and, if not, why. ------ IF YOU`VE MOVED If you have moved to a new address in your current precinct, you will be allowed to vote after filling out a change-of-address form. If you have moved within the county, but to a new precinct, you can vote in your new precinct after filling out a change-of-address form. ------ WHAT`S UNIVERSAL? If you are unable to stand in line, you may ask to advance to the head of the line. You will be asked for your name, address and birthdate. You also will be asked to produce a photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, government check, paycheck or another government document showing your name and address. You will be required to sign the precinct voter registration list before obtaining a ballot. You are to go alone to the voting booth to mark your ballot. You have five minutes. (If you need assistance, notify the precinct election officials. Two election officials may help you, or you may bring another person of your choice. If you are infirm, election officials cannot bring a ballot to you in your car. No ballot may leave the precinct.) You will detach the ballot`s stub and place it in the stub box provided. The ballot will go into the ballot box. ------ I MESSED UP MY BALLOT Ask the election officials for another. You will be asked to sign a "Spoiled Ballot Affidavit," before receiving another. You can "spoil" two ballots and still receive another. ------ DOES MY VOTE REALLY COUNT? In 1998, three elections in Arkansas were decided by a single vote. ------ Source: Arkansas Secretary of State.