APPENDIX E: STATE SUMMARIES 

June 28, 2006
2

Alabama 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

6560 1836 28 0.10 

All data in the tables are drawn from information in the Election Day Survey, Chapter 6, and the 

Electionline document “Election Reform Briefing 10: Solution or Problem? Provisional Ballots in 2004.” 

This was the first general election in which Alabama allowed full provisional 

ballots to be cast, switching from a previous affidavit ballot system that had allowed 

voters whose names were not on the rolls to cast a ballot if they signed an affidavit to 

verify their identity and registration status. The number of ballots cast was unusually low 

for a state without a statewide voter registration database. The percentage counted put 

Alabama in the bottom quarter of the country. It did not count ballots cast outside the 

correct precinct. Ballots were verified by county election boards that checked the 

registration and address reported on the provisional ballot. 

The percent counted in the general election was much lower than in the primary 

elections held earlier in the year, in which about half of the provisional ballots were 

counted. The general election also had more than 6 times as many provisional ballots 

cast as the primaries. Provisional ballots were supposed to be distributed if the voter had 

applied for an absentee ballot but not received it, lacked valid ID (not photo ID 

necessarily), was not on the registration rolls, or was challenged by a poll watcher. 

The percentage of provisional ballots counted was lower in urban counties, such 

as Jefferson County (Birmingham), than in rural counties. Areas with the greatest 

concentration of African-American voters were less likely than other areas to have 

provisional ballots counted.1

 Problems with access to provisional ballots were 

concentrated in Birmingham and Montgomery, affecting blacks and students most 

severely.2 The cause of these problems seems to have been that newly registered voters 

were not always listed on the current rolls. 

The only outcome that appears to have depended on provisional ballots was the 

vote on proposed Amendment 2. This effort to strike segregation-era provisions from the 

state constitution failed, by a margin smaller than the number of provisional ballots.3

 If a 

higher percentage of provisional ballots had been counted, the likelihood of the 

amendment’s passage would have increased dramatically. 

Election officials received specific training in how to handle and count 

provisional ballots.4

 Whether this training will be provided regularly in the future 

remains to be determined. Alabama had a very efficient system whereby voters could see 

if their vote counted, using a toll-free number that has results within 10 days, much faster 

than in most other states. But this notification system is based solely on policy and 

depends heavily on efficient county officials; it has no legal backing to make sure that it 

continues in other elections. 

 

1

 Birmingham News (Alabama), November 13, 2004 Saturday, LOCAL NEWS; Pg. 11A, “ JEFFCO ELECTION OFFICIALS 

REJECT 84% OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS” 

2

 See http://www.flcv.com/alabama.html 

3

 The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 5, 2004, “Provisional count next week could determine Amendment 2” 4

 Birmingham News (Alabama), October 24, 2004 Sunday, NEWS, 388 words, METRO 

BRIEFS 
3

Alaska 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

23275 22498 97.00 7.20 

Elections in Alaska allow what are called “questioned ballots,” similar to the 

provisional ballots mandated by HAVA. This practice is not new, giving Alaska an 

experience different from other states that are new to fail-safe forms of voting. Alaska 

led the nation in provisional balloting in two different ways: It had the highest 

percentage of provisional ballots cast, as those ballots accounted for 7.2% of the total 

votes in the state. Provisional ballots were counted at the highest rate in the country, 97% 

of those cast. This is nearly 30 percent higher than the national average of 68%. Alaska 

probably had such a high percentage of provisional ballots cast because it has a fairly 

strict ID regime. It requires all voters to show one of the HAVA-approved forms of 

identification, at the polling place in order to cast a regular ballot. The application of ID 

requirements to all voters means that those without ID will boost the number of 

provisional ballots cast by properly registered voters who failed to bring their ID with 

them. This ID requirement can be waived if the polling place workers know the voter. 

Provisional ballots are available to a wide range of individuals. Anyone without 

ID can cast a provisional ballot, even if the voter is not in the proper precinct. These 

ballots are sent to a bipartisan review board that determines if the voter was registered in 

the state and if the signature on the ballot matches the signature on record. After the 

review board verifies the ballots, the Elections Division informs the voter if the vote 

counted by a hotline within 30 days of the election and by letter within 60 days. (This 

notification system will change by the 2006 midterm elections, when a website will be 

used to inform voters if their votes were counted.) Any vote cast within the correct 

jurisdiction, defined quite broadly in this state that lacks counties, is eligible to be 

counted. Nevertheless, the state made precinct verification possible through the Elections 

Division’s website in an attempt to minimize the difficulty of having people vote outside 

their correct precinct. It also informed voters of ID requirements in an attempt to reduce 

questioned voting. Even outside the precinct, voter registration could still be verified 

through the state’s voter registration database. 

States with statewide registration databases might be expected to have recourse to 

fewer provisional ballots because the process of on-the-spot verification would be more 

efficient. In Alaska, this was not the case because the ID regime seems to trump the 

efficiency of a database. Provisional balloting attracted almost no media coverage inside 

the state, suggesting that the process lacked controversy. This is probably attributable 

either to the high percentage of votes counted or because provisional balloting was not 

new for the 2004 election. 
4

Arizona 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

101536 73658 73.00 3.66 

Arizona was fourth in the nation in provisional ballots cast, and, at 3.66%, third in the 

portion of its total vote. The state counted 73% of the provisional ballots cast, second 

highest among states with a statewide voter registration database and third highest among 

states that disqualified votes cast outside the correct precinct. The Number of provisional 

ballots is probably large because of its large Hispanic population. The Election Day 

Study found that “predominantly Hispanic jurisdiction had the highest rate of casting 

provisional ballots.5

 Provisional ballots were given to voters whose names were not on the registration 

rolls at the polling location. They are later verified by confirming the voter’s registration 

information and polling location as printed on the ballot envelope. 

The state website disseminated little information about provisional voting, the 

state’s ID requirements (not photo), or the location of precincts. Groups like the National 

Council of La Raza and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund 

informed Latino voters about provisional opportunities. The League of United Latin 

American Citizens sued after the election seeking to have votes cast in the incorrect 

precinct counted. It lost in U.S. District Court.6

 

The electoral system in Arizona is changing dramatically with the passage of 

Proposition 200, which modifies the state’s voter ID laws. Passed in November 2004, it 

requires all voters to provide identification before voting. The Proposition did not 

exempt provisional ballots from this requirement. Provisional voters in the future will 

have to display ID in order to cast something less than a regular ballot. 

 The state Attorney General delayed implementing the law because he believed 

that it violated federal voting regulations like HAVA and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, 

under which certain Arizona counties receive greater scrutiny for failing part of the 

Section 4 formula that determines “covered jurisdictions” under Section 5.7

 

Nevertheless, the Department of Justice approved the bill’s ID measures, saying that it 

did not violate the VRA by placing minority groups, 25.3% Latino, 5% American Indian, 

and 25.9% that speak a language other than English at home, in a worse position that they 

had been previous to its enactment, the so-called non-retrogression principle. The 

Governor vetoed a later bill to implement the law, saying that the bill violated HAVA’s 

provisional ballot clauses. An agreement has finally been reached. It exempts Native 

Americans from the new ID requirements, but all other voters, including provisional 

voters, must produce ID.8

 

5

 See Election Day Survey, Chapter 6, p. 10. 

6 League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) v. Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer 7

 The Section 4 Formula, as described by the US Department of Justice, http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/sec_5/about.htm, “The first 

element in the formula was that the state or political subdivision of the state maintained on November 1, 1964, a "test or device," 

restricting the opportunity to register and vote. The second element of the formula would be satisfied if the Director of the Census 

determined that less than 50 percent of persons of voting age were registered to vote on November 1, 1964, or that less than 50 percent 

of persons of voting age voted in the presidential election of November 1964.” Amendments since the original passage of the bill 

have updated the dates used to decide which jurisdictions receive stricter scrutiny. 8

 http://www.azcapitoltimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=2423 
5

Arkansas 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

7675 3678 48.00 0.35 

Arkansas had no statewide registration database, counted ballots cast outside the 

proper precinct, and was not new to provisional voting. The state’s election website 

provided information about provisional balloting, but it did not describe the state’s ID 

requirements (non-photo). Nor could voters verify their registration or find their proper 

polling place on the website. 

The state’s low percentage of ballots counted might suggest problems in the 

system. Pulaski County (Little Rock) is the state’s most populous. Its supply of 

provisional ballots did not arrive until a short time before the election.9 The county then 

ran out of provisional ballots on Election Day.10 Similar problems of timing and 

resources affected other counties Arkansas left notification about whether or not 

provisional votes counted up to the individual counties. 

 

9

 Pulaski County without provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 20, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, 

State and Regional, 570 words, By JAMES JEFFERSON, Associated Press Writer, LITTLE ROCK 10 Provisional ballots provide bump in otherwise smooth voting in state, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), November 3, 2004 

Wednesday, ARKANSAS, 1396 words, BY CHARLIE FRAGO ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE 
6

California 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

Counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

66, 408 491,765 74% 3.96% 

California’s provisional ballots made up approximately 1/3 of the total cast in the 

country. They accounted for 3.96% of the total votes cast in the state, second highest in 

the country behind Alaska. Its Percent Counted was 6% higher than the national average, 

which put in the top quarter of states without a statewide voter registration database. 

Reliance on provisional ballots was heavy for several reasons. 

• The registration deadline was only 15 days before the election (in previous years 

it had been 29 days). The short time between the close of registration and the 

election would have stretched the capacity of election officials to handle the 

paperwork and increased the number of voters left off registration rolls.11 Since 

California lacks a statewide voter registration database, poll workers unable to 

verify registration would have to give out provisional ballots. 

• The state counted votes cast outside the correct precinct, likely increasing 

counting rates. 

• The large Latino population was well-informed about the possibilities of 

provisional voting and took advantage of the opportunity.12

• Local poll workers received training at the county level.13 That the training 

process was overhauled after the election indicates that it may have proved 

insufficient. State officials have now created stricter standards for poll worker 

training. 

Counties were responsible for notifying voters if their provisional votes were counted. 

The California elections website informed voters about the possibilities of provisional 

voting, a system that was not new in California, and helped voters verify their precinct 

location. Nevertheless, state law still required that provisional ballots cast in an incorrect 

precinct be counted so long as they were within the proper county. 

The state had only minimal ID requirements, asking only for the HAVA-mandated 

identification for first-time voters who did not present it while registering, though this 

requirement was not spelled out on the state’s elections website. Similarly, because of 

the lack of a registration database, voters were incapable of verifying their registration 

before going to the polls through a website. 

Since the election, demands for election reform have been few (the state is consumed by 

the debate over redistricting). In San Diego there is an effort to tighten voter ID laws, a 

move initiated by the former mayor.14 

 

11 http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/ror_102102.htm 12 See Election Day Survey, Chapter 6, p. 10, which states that “predominantly Hispanic jurisdictions had the highest rate of casting 

provisional ballots.” 

13 http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/htPollWorkerTraining.html 14 Horn cites border fence in wide-ranging speech; State of N. County address pulls in 150, The San Diego Union-Tribune, March 4,

2005 Friday, ZONE; Pg. NC-3; NI-3, 327 words, Daniel J. Chacon, STAFF WRITER, VALLEY CENTER 
7

Colorado 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

Counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

51,477 39,163 76% 1.84% 

The counting rate in Colorado ranks it fifth among states without a statewide 

registration database and places it solidly above the national average. Provisional ballots 

accounted for 1.84% of the total vote, in the top quarter nationwide. 

Provisional ballots were open to voters who were not on the registration rolls. The 

lack of a registration database made it impossible to verify registration at the polling 

place. The provisional ballot was also open to first-time voters who lacked proper ID. 

Notification about ballot status was left up to individual counties. 

Colorado used a new provisional balloting system in 2004, replacing an older 

system in which provisional ballots could be obtained under limited circumstances, 

essentially for voters who had recently moved. Colorado required provisional ballots be 

cast in the correct precinct. The state elections website provided information about 

provisional ballots and the state’s ID requirements (non-photo), but did not help voters 

confirm their correct polling place. The website made a critical mistake about the state’s 

ID requirements, presenting the registration ID requirements for first-time voters as 

stricter than they in fact were.15 Despite the accessibility of information, the election was 

fraught with uncertainty and suspicion. 

A poll taken a week before the November election found that 46% of those 

surveyed considered voter fraud likely.16 One voter in five thought it likely his vote 

would not be counted. One in three thought she would be prevented from voting by legal 

technicalities. Contributing to this uncertainty were well-publicized reports that the 

official training manual for election judges had been released only one week before the 

election, after approximately half of all poll workers had been trained.17 This atmosphere 

of anxiety and suspicion led to discussion of election reform measures after the election. 

In fact, the system seems to have worked well in the November 2004 elections.18

 

15 STATE'S VOTER REGISTRATION FORM CONTAINS ERROR ON ID REQUEST, Rocky Mountain News (Denver, 

CO), October 2, 2004 Saturday Final Edition, NEWS; Pg. 18A, 276 words, Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News 16 MANY COLORADO VOTERS FEAR FRAUD; ELECTION CONFIDENCE SHAKY, POLL SHOWS, Rocky Mountain News 

(Denver, CO), November 1, 2004 Monday Final Edition, NEWS; 

Pg. 4A, 847 words, Charlie Brennan, © 2004, Rocky Mountain News 

17 Poll judges confused about rules Some observers say the state's standards on voter IDs and provisional ballots are not being 

followed., The Denver Post, October 27, 2004 Wednesday, FINAL EDITION, A SECTION; Pg. A-07, 799 words, Susan Greene 

Denver Post Staff Writer 

18 EDITORIAL Boost for election credibility, The Denver Post, June 12, 2005 Sunday, FINAL EDITION, PERSPECTIVE; Pg. E-06, 

271 words 
8

Connecticut 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

1573 498 32.00 0.03 

Connecticut’s low percentage of provisional votes counted puts it into the lower 

half of states with statewide registration databases. Provisional ballots accounted for a 

small percentage of the final vote, in the bottom third nationwide. The 2004 general 

election was Connecticut’s first attempt at a provisional voting system. The state’s 

website provided voters with information about the new system and also explained the 

state’s ID requirement (non-photo). 

 Voters given provisional ballots are required to sign an affidavit that they are 

registered and are the person they are claiming to be. In this way, the Connecticut 

system resembles affidavit voting systems, formerly used in Alabama, Kentucky, 

Michigan, Mississippi, and Texas. Provisional ballots are given to voters whose names 

do not appear on registration rolls. If the provisional ballots are cast outside the correct 

precinct, they are not counted. The validation process involves acceptance of the 

affidavit’s veracity by election officials after it is compared to state registration records. 

A toll-free phone can be used to determine if a ballot was counted. 

 Elections in Connecticut are centralized. Counties have no role and cities and 

towns are merely distributors of ballots. This system makes HAVA primarily relevant to 

the state government, while local administrators are not concerned with the federal 

legislation except as it is interpreted for them by state officials. Inconsistent application 

of procedures across jurisdictions is not an issue in Connecticut. 
9

Delaware 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

384 24 6.00 0.01 

Delaware was last in the country in percentage of provisional ballots counted and 

third lowest in the country in the number cast. Delaware’s statewide registration database 

minimized the number of people who needed provisional ballots and it was accurate 

enough to increase the likelihood that those who did receive them were not actually 

registered. Delaware counted provisional ballots cast outside the correct precinct. The 

state’s elections website provided information about provisional voting and helped voters 

find their precinct. It did not explain the state’s ID requirements (non-photo) nor did it 

allow voters to verify registration, odd in a state with a statewide database. 

 The statewide voter registration database reduced the number of people who 

received provisional ballots because they were not of local rolls. Thus most of those who 

voted were, in fact, not actually registered. Their votes were not counted. 
10

District of Columbia 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

11212 7977 71.00 3.51 

The District counted a high percentage of provisional ballots cast, placing it third 

in the country among areas with voter registration databases. These ballots accounted for 

3.51% of the total vote, fourth in the nation. D.C. counted provisional ballots cast outside 

the correct precinct. 

Provisional ballots were distributed to voters not on the rolls, voters in the 

hospital, voters who could not get absentee ballots, and others who were similarly 

disadvantaged. The District o had one of the most comprehensive elections websites in 

the country, with a wealth of information to help voters. The site spelled out provisional 

balloting, even though the system was not new in DC. It allowed voters to verify their 

registration, possible because of the registration database, and helped voters find their 

precincts. By combining all of this information in one place, it is no surprise that DC 

could have so many voters who were knowledgeable enough to obtain provisional ballots 

and fill them out in such a way as to avoid disqualification. 

Ballots were evaluated verifying the registration information listed on the 

provisional ballot envelope. Voters could check the DC elections website to discover if 

their vote was counted. 
11

Florida 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

Counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

27742 10017 36.00 0.13 

 Florida counted provisional ballots at the seventh lowest rate of states without a 

voter registration database. Among states that disqualified ballots cast in the wrong 

precinct, it was much closer to the median. The state’s disqualification of votes cast in 

improper precincts came after a lengthy court battle over the definition of 

“jurisdiction.”19 Its elections website informed voters of the state’s photo ID 

requirement, but it did not provide information about provisional voting or give voters the 

ability to verify registration or locate the precinct in which they were required to vote. 

 Provisional ballots were given to first-time voters without ID, voters not on 

registration rolls, and challenged voters, a sizable demographic in this battleground state. 

The County Canvass Board of each county used signature matching to verify provisional 

ballots against registration records. Voters were then informed by these same boards as 

to the status of their provisional ballot, though how this was done varied from county to 

county. 

 Election reform efforts in Florida are inextricably tied up with views about the 

2000 election. As questions about purge lists and voting machines dominated the 

headlines, those issues became critical in the passage of HAVA. At the same time, the 

provisional ballot system that did exist in Florida prior to HAVA attracted little attention 

as to why it did not serve as a fail-safe for registered voters whose name did not appear 

on the rolls. Florida experienced much litigation leading up to the 2004 election. This 

litigation, much more than legislation, shaped Florida’s voting rules by delineating the 

counting principles that would apply across the state.20 Among other rules, this litigation 

caused courts to rule that voters in an incorrect precinct were entitled to a provisional 

ballot, but they were not entitled to have it counted.21 

 

 

19http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/19/State/High_court_clarifies_.shtml 20 Advocacy organizations continue to object to the resolution of this litigation. See www.aclu.org/Files/getFile.cfm?id=16802 21 See The Florida Democratic Party v. Hood, 342 F. Supp. 2d 1073 (N.D. Fla. 2004) 
12

Georgia 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

12893 3839 30.00 0.12 

Even though Georgia counted ballots cast outside the correct precinct, its number 

of provisional ballots counted is low. It has a voter registration database. Among similar 

states, Georgia’s 30% counting rate is only slightly below the median, but it is next to last 

among states that count provisional ballots cast outside the correct precinct. Provisional 

ballots made up .12% of the total vote in Georgia, below the national median. 

Georgia, a state using provisional ballots for the first time, counted provisional 

ballots by verifying the information given by voters on sworn affidavits signed at the 

polling precinct. Voters were then informed by county officials if their vote counted. 

The reliance on the counties increased the variety of notification procedures across the 

state. The state had an informative elections website, helping voters verify registration, 

locate precincts, and discover the states ID requirements (non-photo). 

Despite little evidence of complaints about vote fraud in 2004, the state enacted 

tighter ID requirements. These new standards gave Georgia one of the highest ID 

barriers in the nation by requiring all voters to show government-issued photo ID in order 

to vote. This new law is now awaiting pre-clearance by the Department of Justice’s Civil 

Rights Division.22 This clearance process is opposed by a variety of groups that represent 

minorities, including NAACP and MALDEF, individual rights groups like the ACLU, 

and labor unions, including the AFL-CIO.23 

 

22 Perdue signs ID bill; Justice Department will review matter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 23, 2005 Saturday, Home 

Edition, Pg. 1B;, 701 words, SONJI JACOB, CARLOS CAMPOS 

23 Foes rip passage of voter ID bill, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 1, 2005 Friday, Home Edition, Pg. 1D;, 542 words, SONJI 

JACOBS, CARLOS CAMPOS 
13

Hawaii 

PB 

Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

346 25 7.00 0.01 

Hawaii’s percent counted was second lowest in the nation. Provisional ballots 

accounted for .01% of the total vote in the state, also second lowest nationwide. Hawaii 

has a voter registration database. It did not count provisional ballots cast outside the 

correct precinct. Provisional balloting is new to Hawaii. Hawaii’s elections website did 

not provide easily accessible information about provisional balloting, though it did 

explain the state’s photo ID requirements and helped voters find their precinct. 

Those who cast a provisional ballot in Hawaii were not on the rolls or were firsttime voters that did not meet the HAVA ID requirements. These voters filled out an 

affidavit to attest to their identity and registration status. Officials then verified these 

affidavits with the state’s registration database in order to see which votes should count. 

Voters could call a phone number to see if their vote counted. Only 25 were counted out 

of the 346 cast. Hawaii’s database was effective in limiting the number of provisional 

ballots cast. One factor that surprisingly did not raise the percent counted in the state was 

the confluence of the ID requirement with provisional ballots. Though the state required 

photo ID from voters, those who lacked ID could vote provisionally, without the 

requirement to return later and show ID. In this situation, it appears that the success of 

the database in solving provisional ballot-inducing problems ahead of time trumps the 

state’s leniency about voters returning later with the proper identification required to cast 

a regular ballot. 
14

Illinois 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

43464 22167 51.00 0.42 

Illinois’ number of provisional ballots cast was just out of the top 10 nationwide. 

Illinois was a first-time provisional ballot state, it lacked a statewide voter registration 

database, and it counted provisional ballots cast outside the correct precinct. Verification 

standards that were easier to meet than those employed by many other states probably 

encouraged poll workers to be more helpful in passing out provisional ballots. The 

state’s elections website also offered information about provisional ballots, and voters 

could visit the site to determine if their ballots had been counted. 

Illinois used affidavits in the verification process, allowing vote counters to check 

the information about which the voter had sworn in order to count the vote. Voters could 

check a website to determine if their votes counted. 

Illinois offers an instructive lesson in the relationship between ID requirements 

and allegations of fraud. East St. Louis has generated voting-related criminal conspiracy 

convictions, while Chicago remains plagued with accusations that the dead continue to be 

politically active.24 Nevertheless, state ID requirements remain lax, only asking for 

HAVA requirements for first-time voters, requiring other voters to sign in. For a state 

lacking a registration database, the possibilities of multiple voting seem high. Provisional 

ballots have not been linked to fraud in Illinois; the relatively low percent counted makes 

them appear, at least on the surface, to be relatively secure. 

 

24 Voting problems alive, well in heart of Illinois, The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), January 11, 2005 Tuesday, EDITORIAL;

Pg. A8, 346 words 
15

Indiana 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

4029 598 15.00 0.02 

Indiana lacked a statewide database and did not count ballots cast outside the 

correct precinct, which held down the verification rate. Provisional ballots are new to 

Indiana. The state’s website provided little information for voters, especially about the 

state’s new provisional voting system or the state’s ID requirements. 

 Provisional ballots were given to those not on registration rolls or lacking ID. 

Also, those who lacked identification were required to return to the precinct later. The 

ballots of all those who did not return were disqualified automatically. After returning 

with ID, voters then had to have their registration verified, through comparison with local 

records. At this point, Indiana provisional voters were able to call a toll-free phone 

number in order to discover if their ballot had been counted. Since the election, the state 

has overhauled parts of its system related to voter identification, though the basic 

provisional ballot structure remains intact. 

 The state has adopted a requirement of photo ID.25 

 

25 Daniels signs voter ID bill; ICLU plans lawsuit, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, April 28, 2005, Thursday, BC cycle, 

State and Regional, 350 words, INDIANAPOLIS 
16

Iowa 

PB 

Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

15406 8038 52.00 0.53 

Iowa’s percent counted was near the median for states without a voter registration 

database and slightly above the median for states that disqualified ballots cast outside the 

correct precinct. Iowa enacted provisional voting before the passage of HAVA. The 

state’s elections website provided information about provisional voting and ID 

requirements, but the lack of registration database made it impossible for voters to verify 

their registration or find their polling place online. 

 Provisional ballots were chiefly available to voters not on the registration rolls, 

though challenged voters, relatively common in this battleground state, also could vote 

provisionally. Provisional voters brought ID later in order for their ballots to count, if 

they were first-time voters who still needed to provide ID. They were then notified by 

mail if the ballot had been counted. 

 Iowa can be considered a fairly typical state, representative of most procedures 

and most outcomes nationally. 
17

Kansas 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

45563 31805 70.00 2.68 

Kansas’ percent counted placed it fifth among states that did not count votes cast 

outside the correct precinct. It was also in the top ten among states that did not have a 

statewide voter registration database. Provisional ballots accounted for 2.68% of the final 

vote, sixth in the nation. All of the states with higher percentages were also states that 

previously had provisional systems. 

Provisional ballots in Kansas were widely distributed, going to first-time voters 

without ID, those not on registration rolls, voters who recently moved or changed names, 

challenged voters, and others. Provisional voters in Kansas who lacked ID were required 

to return to the polling place later with proper identification. After the ballots had been 

tallied, counties contacted provisional voters in their own way; there was no unified 

notification system across the state. Given the wide distribution of provisional ballots to 

a range of voters who give all appearances of proper registration, it is not surprising that 

Kansas had so many provisional ballots, nor is it unusual that such a high percentage 

were part of the final tally. 

On the whole, questions of ID and provisional voting attracted little attention in 

Kansas, and for that matter, most of the Midwest is unconcerned with the issue. The lack 

of close presidential races in states like Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma is a possible 

explanation of this unconcern. 
18

Kentucky 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

1494 221 15.00 0.01 

Kentucky’s percent counted and the percentage of the final vote accounted for by 

provisional ballots both ranked near the bottom in the nation, fifth and sixth lowest 

respectively. For Kentucky, provisional balloting is a slight switch, as the state shifted 

away from an affidavit voting system after HAVA. Also after HAVA, the state created a 

statewide voter registration database. It chose not to count provisional ballots cast 

outside the correct precinct. The state’s election website allowed voters to determine 

where the correct precinct was, also allowing voters to verify registration and gain 

information about provisional voting procedures. 

 Provisional ballots only went to the HAVA-mandated primary target, voters not 

on registration rolls. The statewide registration database meant that these voters were 

likely never registered, and the process’ results back that conclusion. The state still used 

affidavits in the verification process, making its provisional balloting system similar to 

what was previously in place. The state informed voters about the status of their 

provisional ballots through a website. 
19

 

Louisiana 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

5971 2411 40.00 0.12 

The low number of provisional ballots and the relatively low percentage counted 

places Louisiana toward the middle of states with a statewide voter registration database. 

Provisional ballots made up .12% of the final vote in the state, slightly below the national 

median. The state’s elections website located precincts and gave information about 

provisional voting, but it did not describe the state’s photo ID requirement. 

Provisional ballots went to those not on the rolls and to first-time voters without 

ID. Officials later verified these voters’ date-of-birth and address to determine identity 

and vote status. After the counting ended, voters could call a phone number to find out if 

their vote counted. 

The Secretary of State predicted before the election that most provisional votes 

would not be counted.26 The election in New Orleans was characterized as a 

“catastrophe.”27 Problems mostly centered around inoperable voting machines, but there 

were also charges that poll workers told all first-time voters had to vote provisionally. 

These charges were raised by Louisiana Association of Community Organizations for 

Reform Now, ACORN, and the Election Protection Coalition.

 

26 McKeithen: most provisional ballots won't count, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 1, 2004, Monday, BC cycle, 

State and Regional, 644 words, By BRETT MARTEL, Associated Press Writer, NEW ORLEANS 

27 Nov. 2 N.O. election called 'catastrophe', New Orleans CityBusiness (New Orleans, LA), November 15, 2004 Monday, NEWS, 

1091 words, Richard A. Webster 
20

Maryland 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

48936 31860 65.00 1.33 

The percent counted put the state almost exactly at the national average, though 

slightly below the average for states that had did not have registration databases and 

counted votes cast outside the correct precinct. Provisional balloting was not new to 

Maryland, further distinguishing it from the one-third of states that began the procedure 

in 2004. The state’s elections website disseminated information about provisional voting 

and identification. 

First-time voters without ID and those not on the rolls could vote provisionally. 

These voters were required to return later with ID for their vote to count. They could 

check the website or call a phone number to learn if their provisional ballot counted or 

not. 
21

Massachusetts 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

10060 2319 23.00 0.08 

The state had a voter registration database and did not count votes cast outside the 

correct precinct. 2004 was the state’s first attempt at provisional balloting. The state’s 

elections website provided information about provisional voting and gave voters the 

means to verify the location of precincts. 

Massachusetts administers elections from the top-down. HAVA implementation 

is decided exclusively at the state level, removing counties completely from the process. 

This system is common throughout New England. Uniformly election administration 

increases consistency across the state. Provisional ballots went to voters whose names 

were not on registration rolls, though the database helped to limit the number somewhat. 

Provisional voters filled out an affidavit, whose information was later compared with the 

database. Voters could call a phone number to determine if their vote counted or not. 

Massachusetts was one of the many states that did not have much public 

discussion about provisional voting. 
22

Michigan 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

5610 3277 58.00 0.07 

Michigan had the voter registration database that inspired the HAVA requirement, 

and it recently switched from affidavit balloting to provisional balloting in fail-safe 

situations. It did not count provisional ballots cast outside the correct precinct, surviving 

court challenges that sought to change the counting standards for the state. 

 Provisional voters were required to return to polling places later with ID and were 

notified by mail if their ballots counted or not. Michigan’s system had two striking 

features, one of the nation’s best databases and an outstanding website. 

 Michigan’s voter registration database, known as the Qualified Voter File, was 

conceived in 1994, under Public Act 441, as an answer to the highly decentralized 

registration process in the state. Implemented in time for the 1998 midterm elections, the 

system was intended to serve five goals (as stated by Secretary of State Candice S. 

Miller): 

• “The elimination of all duplicate voter registration records in the system. 

• The streamlining of the state's voter registration cancellation process. 

• The elimination of time-consuming record maintenance activities. 

• The elimination of registration forwarding errors and duplicative tasks. 

• Sizable cost gains on the local level.”28

For comparison, Louisiana, despite a much smaller population and a similar database, 

had 5,971 ballots cast. Because local officials can more easily and accurately determine 

voter registration, the number of provisional ballots cast is lowered instantly. This 

database served as the model for the HAVA requirement of databases in each state and 

was awarded by the CalTech/MIT Voting Technology Project as the Best Practice in 

Managing Voter Registration.29 

On September 5, 2002, Michigan unveiled its path-breaking Voter Information 

Center. This built upon previous efforts to create a statewide voter registration database, 

allowing the public to access voter registration information, precinct and polling 

locations, and other crucial election resources through a single source. By combining all 

of these features, the Michigan website allows voters to know that mail-in registration 

was received, to overcome the difficulties of locating the correct polling place, and to 

access information about races that are being decided in the election. Because of this 

central location for information, Michigan considers it acceptable to disqualify 

provisional ballots cast outside the correct precinct, assuming that voters should not have 

nearly as much difficulty determining their correct precinct as do those in other states. 

 

28 See Candice S. Miller. “The Qualified Voter File: A Brief Introduction.” At 

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/elect/taskfc/appb.htm. 

29 http://www.vote.caltech.edu/media/documents/july01/Best_Practices.pdf 
23

Mississippi 

Mississippi did not report its provisional vote totals. Though the state has had 

public and contentious debates about voter ID requirements,30 its provisional voting has 

flown beneath the radar. There has been no vocal Republican-Democratic split on the 

issue, as has been true with ID, nor has there been a similar Governor-Legislature clash. 

Instead, provisional voting in Mississippi has gone unnoticed, and its non-reporting of 

vital statistics has drawn no press. Rather, the state stands as a large blank spot in 

national coverage of the issue, and until numbers allow some insight into the process’ 

successes and failures, we are unable even to speculate about what really happened on 

Election Day in Mississippi. 

 

30 Special sessions appear to fuel dissension at Capitol; srb/stf/ew, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 22, 2004,

Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 563 words, By SHELIA HARDWELL BYRD, Associated Press Writer 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

25,975 

Not 

Reported 

Cannot be 

known 

Cannot be 

known 
24

Missouri

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

8183 3292 40.00 0.12 

Missouri did not have a statewide voter registration database, and it did not count 

provisional ballots cast in an incorrect precinct. It was using provisional ballots for the 

first time, complying with the newly established HAVA requirements. The state’s 

election website provided information about provisional voting and voter ID 

requirements, though voters could not verify their registration status or easily locate their 

polling place. 

 Provisional ballots were given out to first-time voters who lacked ID (the state 

had a non-photo ID requirement) and to voters who were not on the registration rolls. 

After the provisional ballots had been cast, officials checked a voter’s registration records 

to determine if the ballot should count. Voters could call a toll-free phone number to find 

out if his or her vote counted. Considering the state’s percent counted, surprisingly low 

in a state without a database but in line with the correct precinct standard, most of the 

phone calls revealed that the ballot did not count in the final tally. 

 Accusations of vote fraud have lingered in Missouri – particularly concerning St. 

Louis - since the 2000 election, when several figures involved in the city’s electoral 

administration were convicted of conspiracy to commit vote fraud.31 These problems 

have created calls for electoral reform, particularly from Republican officials in the state. 

 

31 VOTER RIGHTS AND VOTER FRAUD, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), May 24, 2002 Friday Five Star Lift Edition, 

EDITORIAL; Pg. C18. 
25

Montana 

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

653 357 55.00 0.08 

Montana used provisional voting only lightly. The state did not have a voter 

registration database, nor did it count votes cast outside the correct precinct. The state 

was using provisional ballots for the first time. Its elections website gave voters 

information about the state’s ID requirements, though it did not provide precinct 

locations, give a mechanism for verifying registration status, nor provide information 

about the new provisional voting system. 

 Provisional ballots are given to voters who are not on the registration rolls, are 

challenged, or chose not to vote absentee despite applying for the ballots. County 

officials then verify the voter’s registration, and the voter must bring ID later. After the 

verification process, the state informed voters by mail if their provisional ballots counted 

or not. 

 Montana has recently shifted to an Election Day registration system. This change 

aligns Montana with Wisconsin, Wyoming, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, and 

Minnesota. These EDR states have different approaches to provisional balloting. Idaho, 

New Hampshire, and Minnesota are exempt completely under Section 302(a)(5) of 

HAVA, while the other three allow provisional voting under some narrow circumstances 

but are still basically exempt. The federal government has not yet indicated into which 

category Montana will fall. 
26

Nebraska 

PB 

Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

17003 13298 78.00 1.71 

Nebraska’s provisional ballots made up an unusually high percentage of the final 

vote for a state that disqualified provisional ballots cast in an incorrect precinct. The state 

also lacked a voter registration database, which tends to increase the number of ballots 

cast provisionally. The current system replaced an earlier limited provisional ballot 

system. Its elections website provided little information for voters, especially about 

provisional voting and ID requirements and did not offer information to verify 

registration or determine precinct locations. 

Provisional ballots went to those who were not on the registration rolls. The high 

percentage counted implies that a great number of registration errors had been made by 

elections officials in the state, especially since votes in the wrong precinct were 

automatically disqualified. The state requires provisional voters to complete an affidavit 

which is verified in order to determine if a vote should count. Voters can check the status 

of their votes through either a website or a phone number. 
27

Nevada

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

6154 2447 40.00 0.29 

Nevada was new to provisional balloting, having no similar system before 

HAVA. The state lacked a registration database and did not count votes cast outside the 

correct precinct. Its elections website did not give easy access to information about the 

new provisional voting system or about the state’s ID requirements. Similarly, voters 

could not verify their registration nor locate their precinct. 

 Provisional votes went to first-time voters without ID and to those not on 

registration rolls. These voters filled out an affidavit in order to cast a provisional ballot. 

The affidavit was later verified to determine if the ballot should be counted. Voters could 

either call a phone number or check the state’s website to find out if their vote counted. 

 Nevada has passed election reform measures since November 2004, trying to 

correct public perceptions of a flawed process.32 The state is trying to learn from its 

mistakes in its first attempt with provisional ballots. The new reforms hope to finish the 

creation of the HAVA-mandated database, decrease the number of provisional ballots via 

pre-emptive use of the database, and inject confidence into the counting process by 

clarifying verification procedures. The state has not emphasized questions of ballot 

security, arguing that the current system already did a good job sifting out those who 

were not actually registered. (In the case of Las Vegas, the problem was sorting out large 

numbers of out-of-state tourists who attempted to vote locally.) 

 

32 Nevada committees take up election reform, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 5, 2005, Thursday, BC cycle, State and

Regional, 636 words, By ELIZABETH WHITE, Associated Press Writer, CARSON CITY, Nev 
28

New Jersey

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

64217 35485 55.26 1.96 

The state was extending and revamping an earlier provisional system. It lacked a 

registration database and did not count ballots cast in an incorrect precinct. The state’s 

elections website contained information on ID requirements and provisional voting, 

though it did not allow voters to verify registration or locate precincts. 

 Provisional ballots were given to first-time voters without ID and voters whose 

names were not on local registration rolls. Provisional voters brought ID later in order 

for their votes to count. After the counting process ended, voters could check a website 

or call a phone number in order to discover if their vote counted or not. 

 Complaints were reported in both Essex and Middlesex Counties, home to two of 

Rutgers University’s campuses. Students argued that their registrations, completed in 

recent campus drives, had not been processed by elections officials in a timely manner, 

shunting many students to provisional ballots.33 In response to these problems, some 

have called for Election Day Registration in New Jersey.34 As of yet, EDR has not 

generated reform bills in the state legislature. 

 

33 http://www.dailytargum.com/media/paper168/news/2004/11/19/Opinions/Importance.Of.Preparation-811402.shtml 34 Dr. Frank Askin. “Let 'Em In and Get 'Em In: How to Give More People the Right -and the Reason- to Vote.” New Jersey Policy 

Perspective. http://www.njpp.org/rpt_askin.html
29

New Mexico 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

15360 8767 57.00 1.16 

New Mexico’s percentage of ballots cast provisionally places it in the top third in 

the nation. The state counted votes cast outside the correct precinct, after changing its 

previous policy following a suit brought by Latino civil rights groups, most prominently 

the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.35 The state had a voter 

registration database and was following in a previous tradition of provisional balloting. 

New Mexico’s elections website explained the state’s ID requirements and how 

provisional balloting worked, emphasizing how open the possibility was to voters who 

lacked other options. 

Provisional ballots were offered to voters left off registration rolls and to firsttime voters who could not meet the HAVA ID requirement. Provisional voters were 

required to bring ID later in order to verify their ballots. Voters could then call a phone 

number to discover if their ballot counted or not. 

Since the election, the state has passed an important election reform bill.36 This 

new act tightens up the state’s ID requirements, requiring voters to either present a 

driver’s license, a bank statement, or recite their name, date of birth, and last four digits 

of their social security number. Opponents of the legislation argued that it did not go far 

enough to insure ballot security. Supporters responded that the measure was sufficient to 

guarantee the integrity of the ballot without denying access to those less likely to be able 

to produce photo identification. This bill was passed in response to complaints about the 

counting of provisional ballots after the election. By front-loading the ID process, state 

elections officials hope to avoid future complaints by preempting possibilities of later 

partisan manipulation. 

 

35 http://www.maldef.org/news/press.cfm?ID=238

36 Gov. Signs Voting Standards Bill, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), April 7, 2005 Thursday, FINAL; Pg. C3, 424 words, Andy 

Lenderman Journal Politics Writer 
30

New York 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

243450 98003 40.30 3.27 

New Yorkers cast the second highest number of provisional ballots in the nation, 

though the percentage of the final vote only ranked fifth. The state did not have a voter 

registration database and did not count votes cast outside the correct precinct. New York 

was not new to provisional balloting, having had a fail-safe system before HAVA. The 

elections website provided little information to voters, especially about provisional voting 

possibilities and voter identification. 

Provisional ballots went to first-time voters without ID, voters not on rolls, and 

those who had recently moved. These voters filled out affidavits that were later verified 

by elections officials. The verification rate was probably low because of the exclusion of 

votes cast in an incorrect precinct, a particular problem in New York City. With multiple 

polling places in a single large room, voting in an incorrect precinct was a common 

occurrence. The state website did not make it easy to verify precinct location. After the 

provisional votes were counted, voters received mail reporting if their provisional ballot 

counted. 

New York’s provisional ballots received extra attention in a state Senate race in 

Westchester County.37 After months of litigation, the election was settled, but the 

attention to provisional ballots did not die away. Likely election reform to clarify 

verification rules and solve public outcry about the precinct requirement is imminent. 

Though proposals have not yet passed, New York is likely to change its election laws in 

response to the experience in 2004. 

 

37 Three months after Election Day, Spano is sworn in again as senator, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, February 9, 2005, 

Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 724 words, By JOEL STASHENKO, Associated Press Writer 
31

North Carolina 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

77469 42348 55.00 1.21 

The state lacked a voter registration database, but it did count votes cast outside 

the correct precinct. Of course, legal developments since the November election make 

the above facts and figures somewhat debatable because of arguments about rules for 

counting provisional ballots. As the state struggled with the issue of counting out-ofprecinct provisional ballots, the number counted listed above is open to revision. The 

state’s elections website allowed voters to verify registration and locate precincts, 

although it did not disseminate information about provisional ballots or identification 

requirements. 

North Carolina’s electoral system was the subject of a major suit about how 

provisional ballots should be counted. The state’s Supreme Court argued that preElection Day law required ballots cast in incorrect precincts be disqualified, while the 

state legislature demurred. The suit arose because a race fell within the margin of 

provisional ballots cast, allowing questions to be raised that would otherwise have been 

ignored given a larger margin of victory. The race in question was for the position of 

State Superintendent of Schools, a race was finally decided in favor of Democratic 

candidate June Atkinson.38 The state legislature took the position that eventually secured 

Atkinson’s victory by counting provisional ballots cast in an incorrect precinct39, while 

the state Supreme Court backed the disqualification of those ballots.40 This debate over 

separation of powers, the integrity of the electoral process, and the independence of the 

courts, raises questions about how robust the North Carolina system is. Simply put, the 

November election has two sides in North Carolina, and neither can even agree on what 

happened, let alone how it should be interpreted. In a state where the counting of 

provisional ballots is widely reported to have varied from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the 

resulting unequal and fraud-ridden election should not be any surprise. 

 

38 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/24/national/24carolina.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1125328715-oGB1b2+9CWCrlhmQLv6F+Q 39 Fletcher shifts focus to Legislature in election dispute, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 11, 2005, Wednesday, BC

cycle, State and Regional, 452 words, By GARY D. ROBERTSON, Associated Press Writer, RALEIGH, N.C. 40 N.C. appeals court denies Fletcher stay in schools chief race, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 11, 2005, Wednesday, 

BC cycle, State and Regional, 358 words, By GARY D. ROBERTSON, Associated Press Writer, RALEIGH, N.C. 
32

Ohio 

PB 

Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

Counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total Vote 

158,642 123,548 78% 2.2% 

Ohio did not have a statewide voter registration database, and --after several court 

tests-- did not count ballots cast outside the voter’s assigned precinct. The state adopted a 

new provisional voting system after the passage of HAVA to replace its previously 

limited provisional system. Its elections website provided information about provisional 

balloting and ID requirements, information circulated heavily by third-parties in get-outthe-vote efforts in this most contentious of battleground states. 

Provisional ballots in Ohio went to voters whose names did not appear on 

registration rolls. These ballots were verified by county elections officials checking 

registration records to see if the voter was ever actually registered. Voters were able to 

call a phone number in order to determine if their ballots were counted. 

The vote in Ohio was the subject of much litigation. Before the election, 

litigation challenged procedures for counting provisional ballots cast outside the correct 

precinct and the status of poll observers. Hanging over all of this was the lingering 

shadow of Bush v. Gore and its holding that states must have uniform counting 

procedures. In the critical case of Sandusky County Democratic Party v. Blackwell, a 

federal circuit court ruled that voters could cast a provisional ballot in an incorrect 

precinct, but the ballot did not have to be counted.41 The court heavily deferred to state 

prerogatives to determined what constituted an eligible ballot in that state. This provided 

the basis for the position already advocated by Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, the 

plaintiff, who opposed counting provisional ballots cast in an improper precinct. HE was 

also the subject of other controversy because of his close ties to the Bush campaign. 

Since the election, the League of Women Voters has filed a suit that seeks changes in the 

state’s electoral machinery. As a result of the controversies and scrutiny in 2004, Ohio is 

likely to experience changes in its elections procedures, but the nature of those changes is 

still unclear. 

 Ohio was the target of accusations of vote fraud from the right and voter 

suppression from the left. The American Center for Voting Rights released a report 

alleging voter fraud in Cleveland and Columbus, the two most Democratic urban centers 

in the state.42 At the same time the Democratic Party released a report arguing that 

inequities in the distribution of voting machines and other problems put “democracy at 

risk.”43 Despite the allegations, the controversy has so far been limited to an exchange of 

charges and suspicions that has lacked conclusive evidence. 

 

41 Sandusky County Democratic Party v. Blackwell, 387 F.3d 565 (6th Cir. 2004) 42 http://www.ac4vr.com/reports/072005/default.html 43 http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/www.democrats.org/pdfs/ohvrireport/fullreport.pdf 
33

Oklahoma 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

2615 201 8.00 0.01 

Oklahoma counted provisional ballots at the third lowest rate in the nation. These 

ballots constituted a low enough percentage of the final vote to place the state in the 

bottom ten nationally. Oklahoma has a voter registration database, and it did not count 

votes cast outside the correct precinct. The state was new to provisional balloting in 

2004. The elections website provided information only about the state’s ID requirements, 

not helping voters verify registration status, locate precincts, nor did it explain the details 

of the new system of provisional voting. 

Provisional ballots were given to first-time voters without proper ID and people 

not on local registration rolls. The state’s database helped keep the latter group to a 

minimum. After the ballots were cast, elections officials verified registration status using 

the database, and voters can call a phone number to learn if their ballot counted. The 

preemptive usage of the database probably means that most callers, because they were 

never really registered, would have discovered that their provisional ballots did not 

contribute to the final tally. 
34

Oregon 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

8298 7077 85.00 0.39 

Provisional votes were tallied at the second highest percentage in the nation. 

Oregon lacked a registration database, but it did count votes cast outside the correct 

precinct. The Oregon system continued its earlier versions of provisional voting. 

Provisional ballots in Oregon are unusual because the state uses an all-mail voting 

system. Provisional ballots, then, are even more of an exception in the state than they are 

elsewhere. Laws in Oregon open provisional voting up widely, allowing first-time voters 

without ID, challenged voters, voters not on the rolls, voters who applied for absentee 

ballots, and others to vote provisionally. Voters must go to the county elections office in 

order to cast a provisional ballot. Verification involved a simple signature comparison 

between ballot envelopes and records. Voters learned by calling a phone number if their 

vote counted. 

Oregon is an interesting example of provisional ballots in an uncommon electoral 

environment. With an all-mail voting system, the need for fail-safe forms of voting 

seems less likely; after all, voters are already able to avoid problems with finding the 

correct polling place and the ability to cast a ballot without being on a particular polling 

place’s registration roll. But in the end, a state dependent on the mail, and the attendant 

problems of voters losing ballots, needs more than most a “fail-safe” outlet. Provisional 

voting in Oregon suffices to cover a great host of voting sins by allowing voters to correct 

their mistakes on Election Day. 
35

Pennsylvania 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

53698 26092 49.00 0.45 

The state had some failed attempts with a voter registration database that are 

discussed below, attempts that both increased the numbers of ballots cast provisionally 

while decreasing the number counted. The state did count votes cast outside the correct 

precinct. Pennsylvania, as its struggles with the implementation of HAVA made clear, 

was new to fail-safe voting after the passage of HAVA. The state’s election website did 

provide information about the new system, and it provided information about the state’s 

ID requirements, which were only the HAVA minimums. 

Pennsylvania voters were given provisional votes if their names were not on 

registration rolls, though the state’s database was supposed to fix this problem. Its failure 

in the election has led to broad calls for reform since the election, and it increased 

provisional vote totals in the state. It also probably decreased turnout in Philadelphia 

where the system had its biggest problems, making the entire voting process in the city 

slower than in other regions of the state. But nonetheless, if provisional voters were able 

to vote, officials would verify their registration by comparing the envelope’s information 

with the state’s database. Voters could call a phone number to find out if their vote 

counted. 

Pennsylvania began its push toward a statewide voter registration database in 

2001. In June 2001, the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE) was passed in 

reaction to the Florida controversy of 2000. Pennsylvania had its own election problems 

in 2000, as its implementation of motor voter statutes confused voters while depressing 

registration and turnout. In January 2002, the new governor, Mark Schweiker, signed a 

law that specifically implemented the database portion of the earlier election reform 

package signed into law by Tom Ridge. On July 24, 2002, the Department of State 

awarded the contract to create the database to Accenture, Ltd., hoping to link registration 

in all 67 counties by the following fall. All of this activity led many in the state to 

believe they were “ahead of the curve,” as Secretary of State C. Michael Weaver said 

before a legislative panel in October 2002. But the system proceeded to fall apart. 

 The system was slow and ineffective, with glitches that undermined its 

performance.44 The key problem with the system has been the integration of large urban 

areas into the statewide database. Philadelphia generates enough registration traffic that 

it freezes up the system, making it inefficient both there and for all other counties at the 

same time. On January 26, 2005, following the system’s abysmal performance in the 

2004 election, 33 eastern Pennsylvania county election offices petitioned the state to end 

the contract with Accenture, hoping that a different company could correct the problems 

generated by SURE.45 The program was faulty enough that 11 counties had already been 

granted a reprieve from using it until the errors in the system were corrected. These 

concerns were raised again on February 1, 2005, when county officials publicly objected 

 

44 http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=2657 45 Pamela Lehman. “Counties want state to scrap voter registry; Lehigh, Northampton among those protesting SURE as slow and 

difficult.” The Morning Call, Inc. Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) January 26, 2005. 
36

to the system at Gov. Ed Rendell’s Election Reform Task Force meeting, calling for a 

new company to complete the system before January 1, 2006. 
37

 

Rhode Island 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

2147 984 46.00 0.23 

The Provisional Vote/Total Vote in Rhode Island is slightly below the median 

nationwide as is the overall percent counted. The state counted votes cast outside the 

correct precinct but lacked a registration database. Counting outside the precinct makes 

the state’s percent counted look lower comparatively, though it remains near the median 

for states without a database. The state was new to provisional balloting. Its elections 

website gave information about ID requirements and provisional voting, though it did not 

help with registration verification or precinct location. 

Voters whose names were not on the rolls received provisional ballots. After the 

election, state officials checked the information on the provisional ballot with registration 

records in order to verify the voter’s status. After this process ran its course, voters could 

check the state’s website to discover if their provisional ballot was counted in the final 

tally. Slightly less than half of the time, the answer was yes. 

While this may sound redundant, Rhode Island exhibits all of the hallmarks of 

New England, excepting the Election Day Registration states of Maine and New 

Hampshire. Election administration is centralized at the state level. Counties are cut out 

of the process, while towns and cities administer the nuts and bolts of Election Day itself. 
38

South Carolina 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

4930 3207 65.00 0.20 

The state had a voter registration database, and it disqualified provisional ballots 

cast in an incorrect precinct. The state was not new to provisional balloting, instead 

building on a previous system. The state’s election website allowed voters to verify their 

registration status, get information about provisional ballots, and know the state’s ID 

requirements (strict photo ID, often described as the strictest in the nation.)46 The 

website did not help voters locate their precinct, a problem in a state that disqualified 

provisional ballots for being cast in an improper location. 

Provisional voters in the state were chiefly peoples whose names were not on 

registration rolls. After casting a ballot, officials verified the voter’s registration status 

using the state’s database. Then a voter was able to check the state’s website to see if his 

or her vote counted in the election. In South Carolina, these voters would have seen their 

votes collectively counted at almost exactly the rate of the national average. 

 

46 For example, see http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/apr05/322607.asp. Recent legal changes in 

Indiana and Georgia have increased the number of states with similar photo ID laws. 
39

South Dakota 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

533 66 12.00 0.02 

South Dakota was new to provisional balloting, but it did have a voter registration 

database. It did not count ballots cast outside the correct precinct, and among such states 

it had the third lowest percent counted. The state’s elections website helped voters find 

their precinct and gave information about provisional voting, though it did not discuss the 

state’s photo ID requirement. 

Most provisional ballots went to voters whose names were not on local 

registration rolls. The existence of a database probably contributed to why these voters 

ended up having votes that did not count, as they were most likely not registered in the 

first place. Provisional voters filled out an affidavit, which was verified against the 

state’s database. Voters were sent letters explaining whether their provisional ballot had 

counted or not. Most of these letters indicated that the vote did not count. 

South Dakota’s voter ID laws generated some controversy, with lawmakers 

arguing that they kept Native Americans from voting.47 These complaints were turned 

into bills, some to repeal the requirement entirely and others to exempt those living on the 

state’s large reservations. These bills did not pass before the 2004 election. 

 

47 Lawmakers asked to repeal voter identification law, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, July 15, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle, 

State and Regional, 862 words, By CHET BROKAW, Associated Press Writer, PIERRE, S.D. 
40

Tennessee

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

8778 3298 38.00 0.14 

The state lacked a registration database and did not count ballots cast outside the 

correct precinct. It was new to provisional balloting, having no such system prior to the 

implementation of HAVA. The state’s elections website provided little information to 

voters, not informing them of the possibilities of provisional voting, the state’s ID 

requirements, the location of precincts, nor the voter’s registration status. 

 

 Provisional ballots were widely distributed, going to those in the hospital, firsttime voters without ID, those not on registration rolls, and others. These voters filled out 

an affidavit as to their identity and registration status, and these affidavits were verified 

with registration records to determine their veracity. After the verification process 

concluded, Tennessee voters received a letter informing them of whether or not their vote 

had been counted. 
41

Texas

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

36193 7770 21.00 0.10 

Texas modified a previous affidavit balloting system to comply with HAVA’s 

requirements of a more complete provisional voting system. The new system, however, 

still used affidavits. The state did not have a registration database, nor did it count 

provisional ballots cast outside the correct precinct. The disqualification of ballots cast in 

the wrong precinct was a critical factor in lowering the percent counted in the state. Its 

elections website disseminated information about ID requirements and provisional 

voting, but the lack of database made it impossible to verify registration or precinct 

location. 

 Provisional ballots went to voters who were not on registration rolls or voted for 

the first time but lacked ID. These voters filled out an affidavit as to their identity and 

registration status, which was later cross-checked by officials with registration records. 

After this process played out, voters were notified by mail if their vote had counted or 

not. 

 

 Texas has several large urban areas: seven among the fifty largest cities in the 

country are in the state. But only thirteen of the top fifty cities have registration 

databases, meaning we are uncertain of the impact of databases on large urban areas. We 

know that the Pennsylvania database failed in Philadelphia, the nation’s fifth largest city, 

because of the large number of changes being made right up to Election Day. But adding 

a database to Texas will have an unknown effect on the electoral process. The state 

already has remarkably low numbers of provisional votes. 
42

Utah 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

26389 18575 70.00 2.00 

Both percentages reported above are greater than the national average. The state 

lacked a voter registration database, and it counted provisional votes cast outside the 

correct precinct. The combination of these two factors make it understandable why 

Utah’s amount of provisional ballots and rate of counting was higher than would 

otherwise be expected, using averages to inform our expectations. Utah was new to 

provisional balloting, beginning the system only after the passage of HAVA. The state’s 

elections website was well-prepared to disseminate information about the changes to the 

system, providing information on provisional voting, ID requirements, and the location of 

precincts. 

 

 People not on local registration rolls were eligible to receive provisional ballots. 

After casting provisional ballots, voters had to return later with necessary ID. This ID 

was used in the verification process, after which voters could call a phone number in 

order to find out if their vote had counted. The notification system will change before the 

next election, by which time Utah plans to convert to a website. 

 

 The presidential election in Utah was not close, and it generated little electoral 

controversy. 
43

Vermont

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

101 37 37.00 0.01 

The state lacked a statewide voter registration database, and it counted provisional 

ballots cast in an incorrect precinct. Vermont was new to provisional balloting in the 

2004 election. Its elections website provided voters with information about the state’s ID 

requirements and provisional voting, along with having a mechanism that enables voters 

to find their precinct on Election Day. 

 Voters whose names were not on local registration rolls could vote provisionally. 

Provisional voters in Vermont signed an affidavit attesting to their identity and 

registration status. These affidavits were compared with registration records to determine 

which votes to count and which to disqualify. Voters could then call a phone number to 

learn whether their provisional ballot made up part of the final vote tally. 

 Vermont falls into the New England system of top-down election administration, 

which removes variance from HAVA implementation. In Vermont, this system reduced 

the number of provisional voters dramatically, quite an achievement for a state without a 

database. But its percent counted was in the bottom quarter for such states, making 

Vermont an unusual example that combines few votes with few counted. 
44

Virginia

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

4172 728 17.00 0.02 

Virginia did not have a voter registration database, nor did it count provisional 

ballots cast in improper precincts. Its percent counted was next to last among states 

without a voting database and in the lowest quarter among those who disqualified 

provisional ballots cast in an improper precinct. Virginia in 2004 was not new to 

provisional balloting, already having a system prior to the passage of HAVA. The state’s 

elections website disseminated information about provisional voting, ID requirements, 

and the location of precincts. 

 Virginia gave out provisional ballots to first-time voters without ID and those 

whose names were not on local registration rolls. These voters submitted an affidavit, 

later verified by elections officials. After the verification process, voters could call a 

phone number to see if their provisional ballot was counted. 

 Since the election, allegations of vote fraud surfaced in southwestern Virginia. 

Specifically, the former mayor of Gate City, population slightly over 2,000, has been 

indicted on 37 counts of vote fraud.48 He is accused of using absentee ballots to 

perpetrate his fraud and get himself elected. In this case, ID requirements would be 

ineffective in preventing this form of fraud. 

 

48 Laurence Hammack. “State charges former mayor with vote fraud.” The Roanoke Times. August 2, 2005. 
45

Washington 

 

PB Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

87393 69645 80.00 2.44 

Washington lacked a registration database, and it counted provisional ballots cast 

outside the correct precinct. Though Washington was not new to provisional voting, the 

process generated a massive amount of controversy across the state, setting up multiple 

controversial recounts in the gubernatorial race.49 The state’s elections website explained 

ID requirements, though it did not discuss provisional voting. 

 Washington voters could easily obtain provisional ballots, for reasons varying 

from hospitalization to absence from local rolls. Official procedure called for verification 

by comparing the information on the provisional envelope with registration records. 

Notification was left up to counties. But as future lawsuits clarified, official verification 

procedure was not always followed. 

 King County, home of Seattle, had poll workers mistakenly run provisional 

ballots through voting machines as if they were regular ballots, skipping the verification 

stage.50 The problem was so severe that the Election Commissioner for the county stated 

that we “may never know the number of illegal ballots.” This problem, and other 

accusations of vote fraud, were appealed to numerous state courts by eventual loser Dino 

Rossi. While the judge allowed for a wide range of possible accusations,51 in the end 

there was no justiciable solution to electoral problems.52

 

49 Judge rules for Democrats, allows provisional ballot count, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 16, 2004, Tuesday, 

BC cycle, State and Regional, 550 words, SEATTLE 

50 Logan: King County may never know number of illegal ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, April 26, 2005, Tuesday,

BC cycle, State and Regional, 818 words, By REBECCA COOK, Associated Press Writer, OLYMPIA, Wash. 51 Judge allows "proportional analysis" method in election challenge, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 2, 2005, 

Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 888 words, By REBECCA COOK, Associated Press Writer, WENATCHEE, Wash 52 Borders v. King County 
46

West Virginia 

 

PB 

Cast 

PB 

Counted 

Percent 

counted 

Provisional 

Vote/Total 

Vote 

13367 8378 63.00 1.11 

West Virginia had a registration database, and it did not count provisional ballots 

cast outside the correct precinct. The state was continuing its previous provisional 

system from before the passage of HAVA. The state’s elections website gave 

information about provisional balloting but little else. 

 West Virginia, like Washington, widely distributed provisional ballots. These 

were counted by comparison to official records to verify the information given by the 

voter. Voters could call a phone number to discover the status of their provisional ballot. 
47

Works Consulted (Sorted by State and Date)

Alabama:

Alabama Provisional Ballots 

1. Birmingham News (Alabama), November 13, 2004 Saturday, LOCAL NEWS; Pg. 11A, 301 words, 

JEFFCO ELECTION OFFICIALS REJECT 84% OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS, ERIC 

VELASCO, News staff writer 

3. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 10, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and 

Regional, 649 words, Counties vary in handling of provisional ballots across Alabama; stfjr/kw, By JAY 

REEVES, Associated Press Writer, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. 

4. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 9, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 

510 words, Thousands of Alabama votes thrown out as provisional tally begins; stfjr/kw, By JAY 

REEVES, Associated Press Writer, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. 

 

5. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 5, 2004, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 538 

words, Provisional count next week could determine Amendment 2, By JAY REEVES, Associated Press 

Writer, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. 

6. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 25, 2004, Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 219 

words, Few provisional ballots expected in Nov. 2 election; stfjr/kw, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. 

 

7. Birmingham News (Alabama), October 24, 2004 Sunday, NEWS, 388 words, METRO BRIEFS 

8. Birmingham News (Alabama), October 23, 2004 Saturday, NEWS, 1041 words, BRIEFS 

Alaska:

No news stories found through Lexis-Nexis in local newspapers. 

Alaska had 7.2% of all votes through provisional ballots and counted 97% of provisional ballots cast, both 

highest in the nation. (Washington Post, March 19, 2005, Page A08) To view the entire article, go to 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48547-2005Mar18.html?referrer=emailarticle 

Arizona:

Arizona Provisional Ballots 

4. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, April 1, 2005, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 625 

words, Napolitano vetoes bill to implement Prop 200 voting ID mandate, By PAUL DAVENPORT, 

Associated Press Writer, PHOENIX 

6. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, February 10, 2005, Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 

465 words, Arizona AG delays voting provision of anti-illegal migrant law, By ANABELLE GARAY, 

Associated Press Writer, PHOENIX 

7. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, January 29, 2005, Saturday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 

160 words, Nearly 28,000 Arizonans had their provisional votes thrown out in 2004 election, TUCSON, 

Ariz. 

9. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 6, 2004, Saturday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 

219 words, Hispanic organization fighting provisional ballot issue, PHOENIX 

11. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 2004, Friday, BC cycle, Political News, 713 

words, A voter's guide to issues in the Election Day process, PHOENIX 

12. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, September 9, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle, Political News, 147 

words, 2 races still undecided with at least 4,700 uncounted ballots, TUCSON, Ariz. 
48

13. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, August 26, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 

171 words, 2 groups sending poll monitors to Arizona to aid minority voters, TUCSON, Ariz. 

Arkansas:

Arkansas Provisional Ballots 

2. Prosecutor: No basis to pursue voting claim, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), December 17, 

2004 Friday, ARKANSAS, 358 words, BY MICHAEL R. WICKLINE ARKANSAS DEMOCRATGAZETTE 

19. Many provisional ballots cast unnecessarily in state, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), 

November 4, 2004 Thursday, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, 416 words, BY CHARLIE FRAGO 

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE 

21. Provisional ballots provide bump in otherwise smooth voting in state, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 

(Little Rock), November 3, 2004 Wednesday, ARKANSAS, 1396 words, BY CHARLIE FRAGO 

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE 

29. What happens if my vote is challenged, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 1, 2004, 

Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 433 words, By The Associated Press 

31. Trouble brewing over provisional ballots, some say, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), October 

31, 2004 Sunday, FRONT SECTION, 773 words, BY MARK MINTON ARKANSAS DEMOCRATGAZETTE 

34. Things to know about voting in Arkansas, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 30, 2004, 

Saturday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 109 words, LITTLE ROCK 

36. Election day guidelines for Arkansas voters, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 

2004, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 242 words, LITTLE ROCK 

38. Scrutiny and uncertainty: An Arkansas primer on voting, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

October 27, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 716 words, By DAVID 

HAMMER, Associated Press Writer, LITTLE ROCK 

46. Polls to get provisional ballots by next week, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), October 21, 

2004 Thursday, ARKANSAS, 791 words, BY CHARLIE FRAGO ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE 

50. What Arkansas Code 7-5-305 says, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), October 20, 2004 

Wednesday, ARKANSAS, 551 words 

51. First lady right to seek voter ID, but not `force it', Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), October 

20, 2004 Wednesday, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, 1223 words, BY AUSTIN GELDER AND CHARLIE 

FRAGO ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE 

52. Pulaski County without provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 20, 

2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 570 words, By JAMES JEFFERSON, Associated Press 

Writer, LITTLE ROCK 

California:

California Provisional Ballots 

29. Problems at polls alienate workers, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA), November 6, 2004 

Saturday, NEWS, 937 words, By SARA A. CARTER, STAFF WRITER 

3. Horn cites border fence in wide-ranging speech; State of N. County address pulls in 150, The San Diego 

Union-Tribune, March 4, 2005 Friday, ZONE; Pg. NC-3; NI-3, 327 words, Daniel J. Chacon, STAFF 

WRITER, VALLEY CENTER 
49

73. Lawyers spent Election Day on the job, The Recorder, November 4, 2004, Thursday, NEWS; Pg. 1, 

1484 words, By Pam Smith and Jeff Chorney 

Colorado:

Colorado Provisional Ballots 

3. EDITORIAL Boost for election credibility, The Denver Post, June 12, 2005 Sunday, FINAL EDITION, 

PERSPECTIVE; Pg. E-06, 271 words 

4. Election reforms on books Owens signs two measures born of issues in November vote One of the new 

laws requires standardized training of election officials; the second addresses ``provisional'' ballots., The 

Denver Post, June 9, 2005 Thursday, FINAL EDITION, DENVER & THE WEST; Pg. B-02, 305 words, 

Susan Greene Denver Post Staff Writer 

12. Hundreds in Colorado investigated for voter fraud, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, March 

24, 2005, Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 553 words, DENVER 

19. Lawmakers urged to fix voting problems, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, January 19, 2005, 

Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 421 words, By STEVEN K. PAULSON, Associated Press 

Writer, DENVER 

26. Seventy-five percent of provisional ballots counted, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

December 23, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 582 words, By P. SOLOMON BANDA, 

Associated Press Writer, DENVER 

33. UNREGISTERED VOTERS TALLIED; OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS REJECTED, 55% DIDN'T 

SHOW UP ON RECORDS, Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO), November 19, 2004 Friday Final 

Edition, NEWS; Pg. 6A, 762 words, Gabrielle Crist, Rocky Mountain News 

40. Provisional votes faced higher bar, The Denver Post, November 17, 2004 Wednesday, FINAL 

EDITION, A SECTION; Pg. A-01, 1048 words, Erin Cox and Susan Greene Denver Post Staff Writers 

41. 80% OF DENVER PROVISIONAL BALLOTS WILL BE COUNTED, Rocky Mountain News 

(Denver, CO), November 17, 2004 Wednesday Final Edition, NEWS; Pg. 6A, 280 words, Gabrielle Crist, 

Rocky Mountain News 

47. Colo. activists also ``suspicious,'' analyzing vote, The Denver Post, November 12, 2004 Friday, FINAL 

EDITION, A SECTION; Pg. A-11, 230 words, Mike Soraghan Denver Post staff writer 

75. AT THE POLLS Provisional-ballot questions dominate voting controversies, The Denver Post, 

November 3, 2004 Wednesday, FINAL EDITION, DENVER & THE WEST; Pg. B-01, 696 words, Chuck 

Plunkett Denver Post Staff Writer 

90. Colorado election largely smooth; scattered problems reported, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, November 2, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, Political News, 704 words, By JON SARCHE, Associated 

Press Writer, DENVER 

98. MANY COLORADO VOTERS FEAR FRAUD; ELECTION CONFIDENCE SHAKY, POLL 

SHOWS, Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO), November 1, 2004 Monday Final Edition, NEWS; 

Pg. 4A, 847 words, Charlie Brennan, © 2004, Rocky Mountain News 

102. Election becomes a test of TRUST Will your vote count? After weeks of missteps, will Colorado get it 

right? To be answered Tuesday., The Denver Post, October 31, 2004 Sunday, FINAL EDITION, A 

SECTION; Pg. A-01, 1475 words, Susan Greene and Erin Cox Denver Post Staff Writers 

150. State officials try to reassure voters of a clean election, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

October 18, 2004, Monday, BC cycle, Political News, 731 words, By STEVEN K. PAULSON, Associated 

Press Writer, DENVER 
50

175. Fraud, provisionals, electoral college - a perfect storm brewing in Colorado?, The Associated Press 

State & Local Wire, October 14, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle, Political News, 923 words, By JON SARCHE, 

Associated Press Writer, DENVER 

202. Your right to vote is in peril, The Denver Post, October 8, 2004 Friday, FINAL EDITION, DENVER 

& THE WEST; Pg. B-01, 650 words, Jim Spencer Denver Post Staff Columnist 

268. Guarding democracy at the polls, The Denver Post, August 11, 2004 Wednesday, FINAL EDITION, 

DENVER & THE WEST; Pg. B-01, 622 words, Jim Spencer 

Connecticut:

Connecticut Provisional Ballots 

4. Still in court, Westchester Senate race not aging gracefully, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

February 6, 2005, Sunday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 837 words, By JIM FITZGERALD, Associated 

Press Writer, WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. 

9. Rare protest to electoral vote count, Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT), January 9, 2005 Sunday, PETER 

URBAN, 1046 words 

23. Patience required with provisional, presidential balloting, Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT), 

November 4, 2004 Thursday, LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS, 727 words, BILL CUMMINGS and MEG 

BARONE, Staff writers 

32. Provisional ballots to be available in state, Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT), October 31, 2004 

Sunday, LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS, 718 words, EDWARD J. CROWDER 

Delaware:

Delaware Provisional Voting 

1. A guide to voting in Delaware, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 30, 2004, Saturday, 

BC cycle, Political News, 562 words, By The Associated Press 

District of Columbia:

District of Columbia Provisional Voting 

No articles specifically on voting within the district. 

Florida:

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/19/State/High_court_clarifies_.shtml

Advocacy organizations continue to object to the resolution of this litigation. See 

www.aclu.org/Files/getFile.cfm?id=16802

3. IN FLORIDA, PROVISIONAL BALLOTS FUTILE FOR MOST WHO CAST THEM, Palm Beach 

Post (Florida), November 10, 2004 Wednesday, MARTIN-ST. LUCIE EDITION, LOCAL; Pg. 3C, 622 

words, By JANE MUSGRAVE Palm Beach Post Staff Writer 

22. Untangling the ballots; Canvassing board performs a tough and necessary task, Sarasota HeraldTribune (Florida), November 5, 2004 Friday, ALL EDITION, A SECTION; Pg. A16, 265 words 

30. Two of five provisional ballots ruled valid, St. Petersburg Times (Florida), November 5, 2004 Friday, 

CITRUS TIMES; Pg. 4, 293 words, AMY WIMMER SCHWARB, INVERNESS 
51

49. Election imperfect, but improved, St. Petersburg Times (Florida), November 4, 2004 Thursday 0 South 

Pinellas Edition Correction Appended, CITY & STATE; Pg. 1B, 918 words, DAVID KARP; TAMARA 

LUSH; MATTHEW WAITE 

96. To The Polls, With A Few More Twists, Tampa Tribune (Florida), November 2, 2004 Tuesday, 

FINAL EDITION, NATION/WORLD; Pg. 1, 924 words, WILLIAM MARCH, TAMPA 

113. Provisional ballots cast doubt on vote; Election law experts say a fix for a problem in 2000 looks like 

more trouble., Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville), October 30, 2004 Saturday, City Edition, METRO; 

Pg. B-3, 565 words, DAVID DECAMP, The Times-Union 

120. A voter's guide for casting ballots in Florida, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 

2004, Friday, BC cycle, Political News, 684 words, TALLAHASSEE, Fla. 

Georgia:

Georgia Provisional Ballots 

7. GOP backs down, a bit, on photo ID requirement for voters, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

March 21, 2005, Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 380 words, By KRISTEN WYATT, Associated 

Press Writer, ATLANTA 

9. OUR OPINIONS: Vote 'no' on photo IDs; Proposed state election reform is discriminatory and may not 

reduce the opportunities for fraud, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 21, 2005 Monday, Home 

Edition, Pg. 8A;, 492 words 

11. LEGISLATURE '05: Lawsuits likely over vote ID bill, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 16, 

2005 Wednesday, Home Edition, Pg. 1B;, 538 words, NANCY BADERTSCHER, CARLOS CAMPOS 

23. One-third of provisional votes counted, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 13, 2004 

Saturday, Home Edition, Pg. 4B, 551 words, CARLOS CAMPOS 

31. ELECTIONS BOARD REJECTS 52 PAINE COLLEGE VOTERS, The Augusta Chronicle 

(Georgia), November 5, 2004 Friday, FINAL EDITION, METRO; Pg. B05, 309 words, By Tom Corwin 

Staff Writer 

56. STEALING THE ELECTION?, The Augusta Chronicle (Georgia), October 24, 2004 Sunday, ALL 

EDITION, EDITORIAL; Pg. A04, 392 words 

62. FAIL-SAFE VOTING SYSTEM BEGINS, The Augusta Chronicle (Georgia), October 20, 2004 

Wednesday, ALL EDITION, NEWS; Pg. A11, 540 words, By Kate Lewis Staff Writer 

Hawaii:

Hawaii Provisional Ballots 

1. Things to know when you go to vote, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 30, 2004, 

Saturday, BC cycle, Political News, 562 words, By The Associated Press 

Honolulu County Election Incidents 

https://voteprotect.org/index.php?display=EIRMapCounty&state=Hawaii&county=Honolulu&cat=ALL&t

ab=ALL 

Idaho:

Idaho Provisional Ballots and Voter ID 

Idaho does not have provisional ballots. 

No coverage of local issues, but a lot of focus on problems in Washington. Also, some attention to bills to 

stiffen ID requirements in Georgia, Texas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and New Mexico. 
52

Illinois:

Illinois Provisional Ballots 

10. Provisional ballots may affect district budgets, Chicago Daily Herald, February 1, 2005 Tuesday, Lake 

Edition, NEWS; Pg. 1, 425 words, C. L. Waller, Daily Herald Staff Writer 

18. Daily Editorials Better democracy, Copley News Service, December 30, 2004Thursday, EDITS; 

EDITORIAL WEEKLY FEATURE, 529 words, The San Diego Union-Tribune Copley News Service 

23. Defeated state lawmaker seeks recount, alleges voting irregularities, The Associated Press State & 

Local Wire, November 30, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 486 words, By JAN DENNIS, 

Associated Press Writer, PEORIA, Ill. 

28. Ballot fix after Election Day comes too late, Copley News Service, November 24, 2004 Wednesday, 

ILLINOIS SPOTLIGHT, 689 words, Pam Adams Copley News Service 

29. Faulty registrations get provisional votes tossed, Chicago Sun-Times, November 22, 2004 Monday, 

NEWS; Pg. 21, 366 words, STEVE PATTERSON 

37. Thousands of provisional ballots didn't count in Illinois, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 17, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 772 words, By MAURA KELLY 

LANNAN, Associated Press Writer, CHICAGO 

49. Daily Editorials Revise laws to protect the integrity of the vote, Copley News Service, November 5, 

2004 Friday, EDITS; EDITORIAL WEEKLY FEATURE, 407 words, The Detroit News Copley News 

Service 

50. Despite smooth voting Tuesday, experts press for more reforms, Copley News Service, November 5, 

2004 Friday, WASHINGTON WIRE, 941 words, Toby Eckert Copley News Service, WASHINGTON 

56. Close presidential election brings 'provisional ballots' to America's attention, Chicago Tribune, 

November 4, 2004, Thursday, TB-BALLOTS-20041104, 566 words, By John McCormick 

73. Election officials expect high turnout, worry about provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & 

Local Wire, November 2, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, Political News, 531 words, By MAURA KELLY 

LANNAN, Associated Press Writer, CHICAGO 

76. Long lines at polling places, no unusual problems reported, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 2, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, Political News, 575 words, By MAURA KELLY LANNAN, 

Associated Press Writer, CHICAGO 

77. How to make sure your vote counts Federal voting laws solve old mistakes, Chicago Daily Herald, 

November 2, 2004 Tuesday, All Editions, NEWS; Pg. 1, 632 words, Eric Krol, Daily Herald Political 

Writer 

84. Provisional ballots top elections officials' concerns, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 

31, 2004, Sunday, BC cycle, Political News, 950 words, By MAURA KELLY LANNAN, Associated Press 

Writer, CHICAGO 

85. Questions and answers about provisional voting, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 31, 

2004, Sunday, BC cycle, Political News, 458 words, By MAURA KELLY LANNAN, Associated Press 

Writer, CHICAGO 

101. Officials divided over new provisional ballot recommendation, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, October 22, 2004, Friday, BC cycle, Political News, 715 words, By MAURA KELLY LANNAN, 

Associated Press Writer, CHICAGO 

110. Election officials must fix snafus before November, Chicago Sun-Times, August 9, 2004 Monday, 

EDITORIALS; Pg. 41, 479 words, Editorials 
53

Indiana:

Indiana Provisional Ballots 

1. Voter ID bill spurs two suits; Opponents of law claim it burdens elderly, poor, disabled, minorities., The 

Indiana Lawyer, May 18, 2005, Vol. 16; No. 5; Pg. 3, 1539 words, RON BROWNING 

2. Daniels signs voter ID bill; ICLU plans lawsuit, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, April 28, 

2005, Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 350 words, INDIANAPOLIS 

8. Governor should veto photo ID bill, South Bend Tribune (Indiana), March 23, 2005 Wednesday, 

Michigan Edition, Pg. B4;, 178 words 

13. Board agrees better training needed for poll workers; Some votes didn't count this year because of 

mistakes., South Bend Tribune (Indiana), November 26, 2004 Friday, Marshall Edition, Pg. B1, 841 words, 

By JAMES WENSITS; Tribune Political Writer 

25. Tips for voters going to the polls, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 2004, Friday, 

BC cycle, Political News, 376 words, By The Associated Press 

Iowa:

Iowa Provisional Ballots 

1. Culver announces $17.5 million for election upgrades, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, March 

17, 2005, Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 493 words, By MIKE GLOVER, AP Political Writer, 

DES MOINES, Iowa 

15. U.S voting system still has room to improve; Billions spent, but process still lacks consistency, 

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), November 5, 2004 Friday, 408 words, TELEGRAPH HERALD 

EDITORIAL 

24. Local boards to sift through absentee, provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 3, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, Political News, 616 words, By MIKE GLOVER, AP Political 

Writer, DES MOINES, Iowa 

35. Judge declines to act on provisional ballot lawsuit, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 

28, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle, Political News, 588 words, By DAVID PITT, Associated Press Writer, DES 

MOINES, Iowa 

40. Republicans file suit to block ballot-counting ruling, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 

26, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, Political News, 742 words, DES MOINES, Iowa 

45. Iowans who forgot to check citizenship box can vote, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

October 20, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, Political News, 476 words, By CAROL ANN RIHA, Associated 

Press Writer, DES MOINES, Iowa 

Kansas:

Kansas Provisional Ballots 

2. Thornburgh urges Congress not to expand federal role in elections, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, February 9, 2005, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 412 words, By SAM HANANEL, 

Associated Press Writer, WASHINGTON 

8. Provisional ballots prove crucial in state Senate race, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 7, 2004, Sunday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 361 words, TOPEKA, Kan. 

Kentucky:
54

Kentucky Provisional Ballots 

1. Provisional ballots by state, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, March 18, 2005, Friday, BC 

cycle, State and Regional; Washington Dateline, 1306 words, By The Associated Press 

2. Two-thirds of provisional ballots counted, but wide variations between states, The Associated Press State 

& Local Wire, March 18, 2005, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Washington Dateline, 592 words, By 

DAVID PACE, Associated Press Writer, WASHINGTON 

6. Facts to help Kentucky voters with Tuesday's election, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

October 30, 2004, Saturday, BC cycle, Political News, 648 words, By JOE BIESK, The Associated Press, 

FRANKFORT, Ky. 

Louisiana:

Louisiana Provisonal Ballots 

9. Nov. 2 N.O. election called 'catastrophe', New Orleans CityBusiness (New Orleans, LA), November 15, 

2004 Monday, NEWS, 1091 words, Richard A. Webster 

11. Nearly 6,000 cast provisional ballots; About 40% had their votes counted, Times-Picayune (New 

Orleans), November 13, 2004 Saturday, NATIONAL; Pg. 2, 652 words, By Ed Anderson, Capital bureau 

15. Provisional voting good and bad , The Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), November 7, 2004 Sunday, 

Metro Edition, NEWS; Pg. 15-B, 718 words, JOHN LAPLANTE 

17. Election day chaos, Times-Picayune (New Orleans), November 6, 2004 Saturday, METRO - 

EDITORIAL; Pg. 6, 339 words 

24. Voting frustrations mount in New Orleans - again, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 3, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 874 words, By BRETT MARTEL, 

Associated Press Writer, NEW ORLEANS 

26. Between heaven and ballot box, Times-Picayune (New Orleans), November 3, 2004 Wednesday, 

METRO; Lolis Eric Elie; Pg. 1, 487 words, Lolis Eric Elie 

36. McKeithen: most provisional ballots won't count, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 

1, 2004, Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 644 words, By BRETT MARTEL, Associated Press 

Writer, NEW ORLEANS 

39. No picture ID need to cast ballots in Louisiana, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 31, 

2004, Sunday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 373 words, NEW ORLEANS 

45. Summary: Lost voters can use provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 

29, 2004, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 72 words, By The Associated Press 

Maine:

Maine Provisional Ballots 

Maine does not have provisional ballots being exempt from that section of HAVA because they allow 

same-day registration. 

1. Electors hand in four votes for Kerry; Rather than dwell on their loss, the Democrats emphasize the high 

quality of Maine's election., Portland Press Herald (Maine), December 14, 2004 Tuesday, Final Edition, 

FRONT; Pg. A1, 684 words, JOSHUA L. WEINSTEIN Staff Writer, AUGUSTA 

5. Only two more voting days left until Nov. 2; Maine makes it so easy to cast a ballot that anyone can do it 

- and thus, everyone should., Portland Press Herald (Maine), October 31, 2004 Sunday, FINAL Edition, 

EDITORIAL; Our Views; Pg. C4, 327 words 
55

Maryland:

Maryland Provisional Ballots 

3. Commentary: UB Viewpoint - The impact of election reform in Maryland, The Daily Record (Baltimore, 

MD), March 11, 2005 Friday, COMMENTARY, 1051 words, John T. Willis 

5. TrueVote recommendations for improving elections, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 23, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 133 words, By The Associated Press 

10. Commentary: The erosion of American democracy, The Daily Record (Baltimore, MD), November 5, 

2004 Friday, COMMENTARY, 1460 words, Martin S. Himeles Jr. 

20. Voter's guide to the Maryland election, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 30, 2004, 

Saturday, BC cycle, Political News, 547 words, By The Associated Press 

24. Elections chief says Maryland ready for Nov. 2, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 17, 

2004, Sunday, BC cycle, Political News, 1292 words, By TOM STUCKEY, Associated Press Writer, 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. 

26. Election board won't count paper ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, July 2, 2004, 

Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 181 words, ANNAPOLIS, Md. 

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Provisional Ballots 

1. STUDY FINDS VOTING TROUBLE FOR SOME STATE RESIDENTS SAYS NEARLY 9% 

DENIED BALLOTS, The Boston Globe, June 9, 2005, Thursday, THIRD EDITION, Pg. B6, 858 

words, By Rebecca Mahoney, Globe Correspondent 

13. VOTING ERRORS TALLIED NATIONWIDE, The Boston Globe, December 1, 2004, 

Wednesday, THIRD EDITION, Pg. A1, 2225 words, By Brian C. Mooney GLOBE STAFF 

25. Voter fraud made easy, The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), November 13, 2004 Saturday, 

LETTERS, 169 words 

26. PREPARING FOR 2008, The Boston Globe, November 12, 2004, Friday, THIRD EDITION, Pg. A18, 

463 words 

32. Students cry foul over voter sign-up snafu, The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), November 

8, 2004 Monday, HEADLINES, 670 words, D.R. Bahlman, Berkshire Eagle Staff, PITTSFIELD 

64. BIG TURNOUT, FEW GLITCHES REPORTED AT STATE POLLS LONG LINES FAIL TO 

DETER VOTERS IN MANY TOWNS, The Boston Globe, November 3, 2004, Wednesday, THIRD 

EDITION, Pg. B7, 731 words, By Michael Levenson, Globe Correspondent 

77. Common sense vs. fraud, Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg, Massachusetts), November 3, 2004 

Wednesday, TODAY'S EDITORIALS, 420 words 

79. NEW ID CHECKS TAKE EFFECT AS RECORD TURNOUT IS EXPECTED, The Boston Globe, 

November 2, 2004, Tuesday, THIRD EDITION, Pg. B4, 522 words, By Elise Castelli 

Globe Correspondent 

92. Voter information for Election Day 2004, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 2004, 

Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 565 words, By The Associated Press 

93. Law requires IDs from new voters, Lowell Sun (Lowell, MA), October 28, 2004 Thursday, TODAY'S 

HEADLINES<!--NAV:SPACE_BEFORE--, 546 words, MICHAEL LAFLEUR, Sun Staff 

94. Election Day do's and don'ts, The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), October 27, 2004 
56

Wednesday, OTHER OPINIONS, 558 words, Bill Shein 

99. Republicans planning a heist By Robert Kuttner, The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), 

October 23, 2004 Saturday, OTHER OPINIONS, 746 words 

Michigan:

Michigan Provisional Ballots 

2. Lawmakers call for investigations into long lines at voting stations, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, January 12, 2005, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 244 words, By MALIA RULON, 

Associated Press Writer, WASHINGTON 

4. Michigan voters cast 3,100 provisional ballots in general election, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, November 9, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 285 words, LANSING, Mich. 

6. Provisional ballots: the next hanging chads or largely insignificant?, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, October 29, 2004, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 836 words, By DAVID 

EGGERT, Associated Press Writer, LANSING, Mich. 

9. Summary Box: Provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 2004, Friday, 

BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 108 words, By The Associated Press 

12. Main controversy over provisional ballots probably over for now, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, October 28, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle, Political News, 582 words, By ANNE GEARAN, Associated 

Press Writer, WASHINGTON 

15. Appeals court reverses lower-court ruling on provisional ballots in Michigan, The Associated Press 

State & Local Wire, October 26, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 514 words, 

CINCINNATI 

18. Federal appeals court: Provisional ballots cast outside voter's home precinct not valid, The Associated 

Press State & Local Wire, October 23, 2004, Saturday, BC cycle, Political News, 735 words, By JOE 

KAY, Associated Press Writer, CINCINNATI 

23. Federal judge says Michigan must count provisional ballots in wrong precincts, The Associated Press 

State & Local Wire, October 19, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 719 words, 

By DAVID EGGERT, Associated Press Writer, LANSING, Mich. 

27. Democrats sue to allow provisional ballots cast in wrong precinct, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, September 29, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 342 words, By 

AMY F. BAILEY, Associated Press Writer, LANSING, Mich. 

Minnesota:

Minnesota Provisional Ballots 

Minnesota does not have provisional ballots, being exempt from that portion of HAVA because they allow 

same-day registration. 

3. Voting; Flaws need federal attention, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), November 14, 2004, Sunday, 

Metro Edition, NEWS; OP EX; Pg. 4AA, 670 words 

7. Needed or not, poll watchers oversee uneventful election, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 3, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, Political News, 664 words, By GREGG AAMOT, Associated 

Press Writer, MINNEAPOLIS 

8. The franchise; A still-imperfect democracy, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), November 3, 2004, 

Wednesday, Metro Edition, NEWS; Pg. 28A, 629 words 

Mississippi:
57

Mississippi Provisional Ballots 

1. Group finds voting problems across South, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 6, 

2004, Saturday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 540 words, By DOUG GROSS, Associated Press Writer, 

ATLANTA 

Missouri:

Missouri Provisional Ballots 

1. Man claims judges allowed illegal voting Poll watcher was told to leave precinct in East St. Louis, St. 

Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), April 7, 2005 Thursday, ILLINOIS FIVE STAR LIFT EDITION, 

METRO; Pg. B2, 421 words, BY CAROLYN TUFT Of the Post-Dispatch 

7. Less than half of provisional ballots in Missouri counted, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 29, 2004, Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 564 words, By KELLY WIESE, Associated 

Press Writer, JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. 

14. Election Day was a lesson in life and civics, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), November 7, 2004 

Sunday, FIVE STAR LATE LIFT EDITION, EDITORIAL; Commentary Column; Pg. B03, 385 words, By 

CHARLES A. NEWMAN 

21. City declares election a success; prepares for next challenge, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 3, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, Political News, 699 words, By CHERYL WITTENAUER, 

Associated Press Writer, ST. LOUIS 

35. Voting in Missouri, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), November 2, 2004 Tuesday, FIVE STAR 

LATE LIFT EDITION, METRO; Pg. B02, 365 words 

38. A voter's rights, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), November 2, 2004 Tuesday, FIVE STAR LATE 

LIFT EDITION, EDITORIAL; Pg. B06, 752 words 

50. Voting 101: Bring ID, be patient, ask for help, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 

2004, Friday, BC cycle, Political News, 740 words, By SCOTT CHARTON, AP Political Writer 

52. Black voters will draw scrutiny, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), October 29, 2004 Friday Five Star 

Late Lift Edition, METRO; Pg. B01, 959 words, JO MANNIES Post-Dispatch Political Correspondent 

70. U.S. judge spells out when they are valid, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), October 13, 2004 

Wednesday Five Star Late Lift Edition Correction Appended, METRO; Pg. B01, 622 words, JO 

MANNIES Post-Dispatch Political Correspondent 

88. Judge may rule today on provisional balloting, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), August 11, 2004 

Wednesday Five Star Late Lift Edition, METRO; Pg. B01, 612 words, JO MANNIES Post-Dispatch 

Political Correspondent 

Montana:

Montana Provisional Ballots 

No stories in local newspapers. 

Nebraska:

Nebraska Provisional Ballots 

1. Probe finds no bias in Omaha's balloting Nebraska's secretary of state responds to criticism from 

Democratic leaders., Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska), June 15, 2005, Wednesday, 

METRO;NEBRASKA;SUNRISE EDITION, Pg. 01B;, 502 words, Joseph Morton 
58

6. Bill will smooth voters' path to polls, Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska), May 10, 2005, Tuesday, 

SUNRISE EDITION, Pg. 01A;, 308 words, Martha Stoddard, LINCOLN 

8. Provisional ballots available for voters, Lincoln Journal Star (Nebraska), April 29, 2005 Friday, City 

Edition, B; Pg. 5, 153 words, Lincoln, NE 

10. Rural voters stand to benefit, Lincoln Journal Star (Nebraska), March 31, 2005 Thursday, City Edition, 

B; Pg. 1, 965 words, NANCY HICKS, Lincoln Journal Star 

29. Provisional ballots 80% valid in state, Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska), November 11, 2004, 

Thursday, NEBRASKA;SUNRISE EDITION, Pg. 01B;, 513 words, Tom Shaw 

36. Voting system still in need of improvement, Lincoln Journal Star (Nebraska), November 6, 2004 

Saturday, City Edition, B; Pg. 5, 446 words 

43. Provisional ballots mount in Nebraska, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 4, 2004, 

Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 467 words, By The Associated Press 

46. Reasons for provisional ballot use to be probed About 8,000 people in Douglas County cast the ballots 

in Tuesday's election., Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska), November 4, 2004, Thursday, METRO 

EDITION, Pg. 06A;, 346 words, Tom Shaw 

72. Frequently asked questions and answers about voting, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

October 29, 2004, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 370 words 

77. Tainted democracy Gratuitious allegations of fraud can promote distrust in system., Omaha WorldHerald (Nebraska), October 27, 2004, Wednesday, IOWA;METRO;MIDLANDS;NEBRASKA;SUNRISE 

EDITION, Pg. 06B;, 516 words, 11 

Nevada:

Nevada Provisional Ballots 

1. Nevada committees take up election reform, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 5, 2005, 

Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 636 words, By ELIZABETH WHITE, Associated Press Writer, 

CARSON CITY, Nev. 

3. Nevada provisional ballot bill causes confusion, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, April 7, 2005, 

Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 501 words, By ELIZABETH WHITE, Associated Press Writer, 

CARSON CITY, Nev. 

30. EDITORIAL: Voter responsibility, Las Vegas Review-Journal (Nevada), November 11, 2004 

Thursday, FINAL EDITION, B;, Pg. 8B, 360 words 

41. Local polls largely problem-free, Las Vegas Review-Journal (Nevada), November 3, 2004 Wednesday, 

FINAL EDITION, A;, Pg. 6A, 802 words, J.M. KALIL and RICHARD LAKE 

New Hampshire:

New Hampshire is exempted from using provisional ballots. 

New Hampshire Provisional Ballots 

1. Proposed law would eliminate election day registration, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

February 9, 2005, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 532 words, By ANNE SAUNDERS, 

Associated Press Writer, CONCORD, N.H. 

6. Lawyers gear up for Nov. 2 battles, The Union Leader (Manchester NH), October 31, 2004 Sunday 

STATE EDITION, NEWS; Pg. A1, 1714 words, By SHAWNE K. WICKHAM Sunday News Staff 

New Jersey:
59

New Jersey Provisional Ballots 

12. Is there more fraud in voters' future?; When Hudson clerk says so, N.J. should listen, The Record 

(Bergen County, NJ), March 14, 2005 Monday, All Editions, NEWS; CAPITAL GAMES; Pg. A03, 972 

words, HERB JACKSON, North Jersey Media Group 

21. Election foul-ups to rock New Jersey's vote?, The Record (Bergen County, NJ), January 24, 2005 

Monday, All Editions, NEWS; CAPITAL GAMES; Pg. A01, 1282 words, HERB JACKSON, North Jersey 

Media Group 

29. Students' ballots could get election tossed; Little Falls loser goes to court, The Record (Bergen County, 

NJ), December 16, 2004 Thursday, Two Star P Edition, LOCAL; Pg. L03, 607 words, By AMY L. 

KOVAC, SPECIAL TO THE RECORD, North Jersey Media Group 

49. With Lawyers and Judges Watching, Election Day Challenges Are Light, New Jersey Law Journal, 

November 8, 2004, 1408 words, By Henry Gottlieb 

77. Most voting glitches merely annoying; Missing registrations among top problems, The Record (Bergen 

County, NJ), November 3, 2004 Wednesday Correction Appended, All Editions, NEWS; Pg. A01, 1475 

words, By AMY KLEIN, TOM DAVIS and BRIAN KLADKO, STAFF WRITERS, North Jersey Media 

Group 

79. Election Day chaos is a national scandal, The Record (Bergen County, NJ), November 2, 2004 

Tuesday, All Editions, OPINION; Pg. L13, 2150 words, E.J. DIONNE, Wire Services 

80. Constitutional scholar expects 'chaos' at N.J. polls, The Record (Bergen County, NJ), November 1, 

2004 Monday, All Editions, NEWS; Pg. A01, 891 words, By AMY KLEIN, STAFF WRITER, North 

Jersey Media Group 

87. Voter rights guide available; Group gives advice on poll problems, Herald News (Passaic County, NJ), 

October 15, 2004 Friday, Early Edition, OUR TOWNS; Pg. B05, 455 words, By CHARLES AUSTIN, 

Special to the Herald News, North Jersey Media Group 

94. No Smooth Sailing as New Jersey Implements Election Reform Act, New Jersey Law Journal, October 

4, 2004, 969 words, By Charles Toutant 

103. ID required of some primary voters; New law affects those registered since 2003, The Record (Bergen 

County, NJ), June 8, 2004 Tuesday, All Bergen Editions, LOCAL; Pg. L01, 305 words, By SHANNON D. 

HARRINGTON, STAFF WRITER, North Jersey Media Group 

New Mexico:

New Mexico Provisional Ballots 

MALDEF Press Release 

http://www.maldef.org/news/press.cfm?ID=238

7. Gov. Signs Voting Standards Bill, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), April 7, 2005 Thursday, FINAL; 

Pg. C3, 424 words, Andy Lenderman Journal Politics Writer 

12. Senate approves election reform bill, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, March 16, 2005, 

Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 487 words, By DEBORAH BAKER, Associated Press Writer, 

SANTA FE 

16. Voter ID doesn't get to real election problems, Albuquerque Tribune (New Mexico), February 19, 2005 

Saturday, WEEKEND; Pg. C1, 463 words 

20. Governor reveals voter ID package, Albuquerque Tribune (New Mexico), February 15, 2005 Tuesday, 

EVENING; Pg. A1, 654 words, Shea Andersen 
60

37. Voter ID Hot Issue, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), January 21, 2005 Friday, FINAL; Pg. A1, 679 

words, Andy Lenderman Journal Politics Writer 

73. We need clarity, but we don't need chaos, Albuquerque Tribune (New Mexico), December 2, 2004 

Thursday, EVENING; Pg. C2, 465 words 

86. GOVERNOR: ELECTION REFORM STILL NEEDED, The Santa Fe New Mexican (New 

Mexico), November 24, 2004 Wednesday, MAIN; Pg. A-1, 1032 words, STEVE TERRELL 

99. Fiasco or not, vote counting is one piece of work, Albuquerque Tribune (New Mexico), November 13, 

2004 Saturday, WEEKEND; Pg. A2, 614 words, Kate Nelson Commentary 

129. Clerk Tossing 25% of Ballots, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), November 9, 2004 Tuesday, 

FINAL; Pg. A1, 791 words, Dan McKay and David Miles Journal Staff Writer 

136. N.M. Voters Are Red With Embarrassment, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), November 8, 2004 

Monday Correction Appended, FINAL; Pg. B8, 625 words, Leann Holt Journal Staff Writer 

141. Indian Voters Not Protected, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), November 7, 2004 Sunday, 

JOURNAL SANTA FE; Pg. S1, 463 words 

158. Provisional Ballots To Be Counted, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), November 5, 2004 Friday, 

RIO RANCHO JOURNAL; Pg. 1, 548 words, Joshua Akers Journal Staff Writer 

200. Tuesday's voting troubles were of benign kind, Albuquerque Tribune (New Mexico), November 3, 

2004 Wednesday, EVENING; Pg. A4, 933 words, Joline Gutierrez Krueger 

243. Tips for Your Trip to the Polls, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), November 1, 2004 Monday, 

FINAL; Pg. A10, 275 words 

244. Poll Workers Get Ready for Anything; Voting Tips, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), October 31, 

2004 Sunday, FINAL; Pg. B1, 1522 words, Dan McKay Journal Staff Writer 

248. Voter ID requirement causing new uproar, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 26, 

2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 729 words, By BARRY MASSEY, Associated Press Writer, 

SANTA FE 

261. VOTER-ID RULE TOSSED; LAW STILL NEEDS WORK, The Santa Fe New Mexican (New 

Mexico), September 29, 2004 Wednesday, EDITORIALS; Pg. A-9, 625 words 

268. COMMENTARY: MAKING SURE THE RIGHT VOTES COUNT, The Santa Fe New Mexican 

(New Mexico), September 26, 2004 Sunday, EDITORIALS; Pg. F-1, 853 words, INEZ RUSSELL 

New York:

New York Provisional Ballots 

7. WHOSE VOTE FRAUD?, The New York Post, February 27, 2005 Sunday, All Editions; Pg. 28, 618 

words 

8. Tackling Election Reform, The New York Times, February 22, 2005 Tuesday, Late Edition - Final, 

Section A; Column 1; Editorial Desk; Pg. 16, 514 words 

9. When Elections Go Bad, The New York Times, February 13, 2005 Sunday, Late Edition - Final, Section 

4; Column 1; Editorial Desk; Pg. 14, 461 words 

10. Three months after Election Day, Spano is sworn in again as senator, The Associated Press State & 

Local Wire, February 9, 2005, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 724 words, By JOEL 

STASHENKO, Associated Press Writer 
61

46. Stalling the Vote, The New York Times, December 5, 2004 Sunday, Late Edition - Final, Section 

14WC; Column 1; Westchester Weekly Desk; Pg. 19, 334 words 

55. Improving Provisional Ballots, The New York Times, November 21, 2004 Sunday, Late Edition - Final, 

Section 4; Column 1; Editorial Desk; Pg. 12, 589 words 

75. New Standards for Elections, The New York Times, November 7, 2004 Sunday, Late Edition - Final, 

Section 4; Column 1; Editorial Desk; Pg. 10, 1103 words 

78. Fraudulent Voters Bused In, Westchester Republicans Say, The New York Times, November 5, 2004 

Friday, Late Edition - Final, Section B; Column 5; Metropolitan Desk; Pg. 7, 567 words, By KIRK 

SEMPLE and JENNIFER MEDINA 

131. What to Do on Election Day, The New York Times, November 1, 2004 Monday, Late Edition - Final, 

Section A; Column 1; Editorial Desk; Pg. 24, 541 words 

141. A presidential election this way comes, The Times Union (Albany, New York), November 1, 2004 

Monday, ONE STAR EDITION, MAIN; Pg. A9, 820 words, RENEE LOTH 

150. Voter information for Election Day 2004, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 

2004, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 565 words, By The Associated Press 

161. Before You Vote, The New York Times, October 26, 2004 Tuesday, Late Edition - Final, Section G; 

Column 2; Voter Guide 2004; THE VOTING; Pg. 2, 175 words, By Katharine Q. Seelye 

North Carolina:

North Carolina Provisional Ballots 

Title: CNN.com - N. Carolina election fight drags on - Jun 6, 2005 

http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=877131764&pt=Y

North Carolina Provisional Ballots 

6. DAVIS TO TAKE POST AS INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOLS, Winston-Salem Journal (Winston 

Salem, NC), June 1, 2005 Wednesday, METRO EDITION, B; The Region; Pg. 2, 436 words, JOURNAL 

STAFF AND WIRE REPORT, RALEIGH 

14. N.C. appeals court denies Fletcher stay in schools chief race, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

May 11, 2005, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 358 words, By GARY D. ROBERTSON, 

Associated Press Writer, RALEIGH, N.C. 

15. Fletcher shifts focus to Legislature in election dispute, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 

11, 2005, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 452 words, By GARY D. ROBERTSON, Associated 

Press Writer, RALEIGH, N.C. 

24. Send in a superintendent, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), May 9, 2005 Monday, Final 

Edition, EDITORIAL/OPINION; Pg. A10, 255 words 

93. N.C. contest rules likely to become law, but picking winner could take time, The Associated Press State 

& Local Wire, February 24, 2005, Thursday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 735 words, By GARY D. 

ROBERTSON, Associated Press Writer, RALEIGH, N.C. 

98. N.C. Senate approve bill to reaffirm counting key provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & 

Local Wire, February 22, 2005, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 421 words, RALEIGH, N.C. 

114. Provisional voting, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), February 11, 2005 Friday, Final 

Edition, EDITORIAL/OPINION; Pg. A20, 264 words 

142. N.C. Supreme Court takes on out-of-precinct ballot issue, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

January 18, 2005, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 691 words, By GARY D. ROBERTSON, 
62

Associated Press Writer, RALEIGH, N.C. 

149. Race enters ballot tiff; Groups assail discounting votes, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North 

Carolina), January 15, 2005 Saturday, Final Edition, NEWS; Pg. B5, 470 words, Lynn Bonner, Staff Writer 

172. Not a perfect election, but no proof of fraud, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), 

December 12, 2004 Sunday, Final Edition, QUESTION; Pg. A24, 735 words, James Rosen, Washington 

Bureau 

185. CARTERET COUNTY TO VOTE AGAIN FOR AGRICULTURE POST N.C. ELECTIONS 

BOARD'S COMPROMISE MEANS TROXLER-COBB RACE WILL BE DECIDED ON JAN. 11, 

Winston-Salem Journal (Winston Salem, NC), December 1, 2004 Wednesday, METRO EDITION, B; Pg. 

1, 759 words, By David Ingram JOURNAL RALEIGH BUREAU, RALEIGH 

199. North Carolina's ballot blues, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), November 26, 2004 

Friday, Final Edition, EDITORIAL/OPINION; Point of View; Pg. A21, 579 words, Joyce Mccloy 

201. N.C. voting problems: 2004 edition, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), November 22, 

2004 Monday, Final Edition, NEWS; Pg. A7, 456 words 

269. No identification, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), November 4, 2004 Thursday, 

Final Edition, EDITORIAL/OPINION; Pg. A21, 119 words 

304. Provisional ballots, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), November 2, 2004 Tuesday, 

Final Edition, EDITORIAL/OPINION; Pg. A14, 154 words 

305. Q&A: WHAT TO EXPECT AT POLLING PLACES, News & Record (Greensboro, NC), 

November 2, 2004 Tuesday ALL EDITIONS, 311 words, Mark Binker Staff Writer 

310. Voters' Q&A, The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), October 30, 2004 Saturday, Final 

Edition, SPECIAL SECTIONS; Pg. H3, 365 words 

311. A voter's guide to Election Day procedures, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 

2004, Friday, BC cycle, Political News, 730 words, RALEIGH, N.C. 

North Dakota:

North Dakota is exempt from using provisional ballots because they do no require voter registration. 

Ohio:

http://www.ac4vr.com/reports/072005/default.html

http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/www.democrats.org/pdfs/ohvrireport/fullreport.pdf

1. Validation of provisional ballots in Ohio is tedious process, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 10, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional; Political News, 825 words, By CONNIE 

MABIN, Associated Press Writer, CLEVELAND 

2. Summary box: Eyes on Ohio again as provisional ballots processed, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, November 10, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 86 words, By The Associated Press 

24. Provisional-ballot process starts today; Election workers seek to verify which of 155,337 count, 

Dayton Daily News (Ohio), November 4, 2004 Thursday, SPECIAL; Pg. AA2, 533 words, By Laura A. 

Bischoff 

73. Plan to vote? What you should know, Plain Dealer (Cleveland), November 2, 2004 Tuesday, Final 

Edition; All Editions, NATIONAL; Pg. A2, 472 words, Grant Segall, Plain Dealer Reporter 
63

80. Provisional ballots: the chads of 2004?, Plain Dealer (Cleveland), November 1, 2004 Monday, 

FINAL Edition; ALL Editions, NATIONAL; Pg. A1, 733 words, DIANE SUCHETKA, PLAIN DEALER 

REPORTER 

82. VOTERS GUIDE, Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), October 31, 2004 Sunday, Home Final Edition, 395 

words 

123. ELECTION OFFICIALS HAPPY NOW THAT PROVISIONAL-BALLOT ISSUE IS PUT TO BED; 

Ohio GOP withdraws thousands of challenges to new registrants, Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), October 25, 

2004 Monday, Home Final Edition, 1061 words, Mark Niquette, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH 

Oklahoma:

Oklahoma Provisional Ballots 

1. Provisional ballots by state, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, March 18, 2005, Friday, BC 

cycle, State and Regional; Washington Dateline, 1306 words, By The Associated Press 

23. It's nearly over, Tulsa World (Oklahoma), November 1, 2004 Monday, Final Home Edition, News, 

Elections; Focus,; Pg. A17, 1359 words, ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer 

Oregon:

Most coverage focused on the Washington governor’s race. 

Oregon Provisional Ballots 

93. VOTING POSTMORTEM IN WASHINGTON, The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), January 

8, 2005 Saturday, SUNRISE EDITION, EDITORIAL; Pg. B06, 514 words 

176. Republicans distance selves from vote-blocking attempt, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 1, 2004, Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 614 words, By JULIA SILVERMAN, 

Associated Press Writer, PORTLAND, Ore. 

179. SOME IN COUNTY FAIL TO GET BALLOT, The Oregonian, October 29, 2004 Friday, SUNRISE 

EDITION, SOUTH ZONER;, Pg. C02, 467 words, BRAD SCHMIDT - The 

Oregonian 

Pennsylvania:

Pennsylvania Provisional Ballots 

14. Few problems with paper ballots, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, May 18, 2005 Wednesday, 665 words, 

Andrew Conte 

16. Panel to endorse earlier primary, easier absentee balloting, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

May 6, 2005, Friday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 728 words, By PETER JACKSON, Associated Press 

Writer, HARRISBURG, Pa. 

20. Panel unveils repairs to voting problems, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, April 28, 2005 Thursday, 567 

words, Glenn May 

34. Poor training cited in election problems, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, December 16, 2004 Thursday, 292 

words, Brandon Keat 

52. More than half of state's provisional ballots rejected, The Evening Sun (Hanover, PA), December 6, 

2004 Monday, STATE & REGION NEWS, 357 words 

56. Group: County had most vote questions in U.S., Pittsburgh Tribune Review, December 1, 2004 

Wednesday, 461 words, Glenn May 

58. Provisional ballots are still mystery, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, November 29, 2004 Monday, 380 
64

words, Glenn May 

71. Counting of provisional ballots still going on, INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL (LANCASTER, PA.), 

November 10, 2004, Wednesday, Pg. A-1, 831 words, Charles Lardner 

73. FIXING ELECTIONS; LET'S VOTE TO END PROBLEMS AT THE POLLING PLACE, 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania), November 8, 2004 Monday, SOONER EDITION, 

Pg.A-16, 415 words 

107. Few problems reported in Pa. voting, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 3, 2004, 

Wednesday, BC cycle, Political News, 556 words, By DAVID B. CARUSO and MICHAEL RUBINKAM, 

Associated Press Writers, PHILADELPHIA 

124. Shortfall of special ballots is glitch in county voting, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, November 3, 2004 

Wednesday, 1105 words, Andrew Conte 

127. Few substantial vote complaints in York, The York Dispatch (York, PA), November 3, 2004 

Wednesday, TOP STORIES, 941 words, WENDI HIMMELRIGHT The York Dispatch 

139. Voters, don't forget your licenses today, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, November 2, 2004 Tuesday, 1012 

words, David M. Brown and Andy Conte 

141. Voters: What you will need to know; Local officials are geared up to make this Election Day smooth., 

LANCASTER NEW ERA (LANCASTER, PA.), November 1, 2004, Monday, Pg. A-1, 436 words, Tom 

Murse 

151. PROVISIONAL VOTES COULD ADD A NEW TWIST TO TUESDAY'S ELECTION, Pittsburgh 

Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania), October 29, 2004 Friday, SOONER EDITION, Pg.A-1, 

850 words, Jerome L. Sherman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

157. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS GUIDE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2, 

2004/POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY, Pittsburgh 

Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania), October 26, 2004 Tuesday, SOONER EDITION, Pg.B-3, 

558 words 

175. Changes at the polls; From IDs to provisional ballots, this election should be more reliable than in 

2000, INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL (LANCASTER, PA.), October 11, 2004, Monday, Pg. A-8,, 568 

words 

Rhode Island:

Rhode Island Provisional Ballots 

18. CAMPAIGN 2004 - R.I. drops rule on voter IDs, The Providence Journal (Rhode Island), November 2, 

2004 Tuesday, All Editions, NEWS; Pg. A-09, 564 words, BRUCE LANDIS, Journal Staff Writer 

22. Here's what you should know when you go to vote, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 1, 2004, Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 493 words, PROVIDENCE, R.I. 

28. Police charge two with voter fraud, The Providence Journal (Rhode Island), October 30, 2004 Saturday, 

All Editions, NEWS; Pg. A-03, 577 words, GINA MACRIS, Journal Staff Writer 

51. Scary scenarios for upcoming elections, The Providence Journal (Rhode Island), August 27, 2004 

Friday, All Editions, EDITORIAL; Pg. B-05, 936 words, M.J. Andersen 

South Carolina:

South Carolina Provisional Ballots 

73. Glitches thwart some S.C. voters, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 3, 2004, 

Wednesday, BC cycle, Political News, 728 words, By PAMELA HAMILTON, Associated Press Writer, 
65

COLUMBIA, S.C. 

78. What to know on Election Day, The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.), November 1, 2004 Monday, FINAL 

EDITION, Pg. 2B, 352 words 

83. Provisional ballots give registered voters a voice if denied at polls, The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.), 

October 29, 2004 Friday, FINAL EDITION, Pg. 1B, 509 words, By Erica Pippins / The Herald 

South Dakota:

South Dakota Provisional Ballots 

Copyright 2004 Associated Press All Rights Reserved The Associated Press State & Local Wire 

November 2, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle SECTION: Political News LENGTH: 421 words HEADLINE: 

Some problems and oddities reported on Election Day BYLINE: By CARSON WALKER, Associated 

Press Writer 

Tennessee:

Tennessee Provisional Ballots 

6. Not all votes yet count, Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee), December 31, 2004 Friday, TIMES 

EDITORIAL; Pg. B6, 542 words 

10. Bush won with a little 'counting' yet to go -- 1,610 affidavit ballots won't change the result, The 

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN), November 4, 2004 Thursday Final Edition, 385 words, Richard 

Thompson 

20. Provisional voting raises issues, The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN), October 26, 2004 Tuesday 

Final Edition, 349 words, Richard Locker 

 

26. Group warns of Florida-style election fiasco, Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee), October 20, 

2004 Wednesday, WIRE - POLITICS; Pg. A4, 481 words 

Texas:

Texas Provisional Ballots 

 

24. Connor chastises Harris County election official, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 

5, 2004, Friday, BC cycle, Political News, 400 words, AUSTIN 

48. VOTING WITH CONFIDENCE ; Few problems are reported at polling sites across nation, San 

Antonio Express-News (Texas), November 3, 2004, Wednesday, BULLDOG, Pg. 1A, 846 words, Joseph 

S. Stroud 

52. New federal law calls for provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 1, 

2004, Monday, BC cycle, Political News, 404 words, By KELLEY SHANNON, AP Political Writer, 

AUSTIN 

57. Provisional ballots could bog down election count, Austin American-Statesman (Texas), October 29, 

2004 Friday, NEWS; Pg. A6, 586 words, Julia Malone, WASHINGTON BUREAU 

Utah:

Utah Provisional Ballots 

1. Utah beats most states in counting provisional ballots, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, March 

27, 2005, Sunday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 450 words, SALT LAKE CITY 

3. Reformers eye next vote, Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City), January 3, 2005 Monday, 997 words, 

Josh Loftin Deseret Morning News 
66

5. Not every Utah voted counted, but more did than in 2000 ; Percentage improves: This time, only 13 of 

1,000 votes were thrown out because of errors, Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), November 25, 2004, Thursday, 

Utah; Pg. C15, 850 words, Robert Gehrke , The Salt Lake Tribune 

9. Every vote counts, Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City), November 22, 2004 Monday, 372 words, 

Deseret Morning News editorial 

22. Some tips for voters, Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), November 2, 2004, Tuesday, Utah; Pg. A1, 170 words 

26. Be aware of changes in vote laws, Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City), November 1, 2004 

Monday, 643 words, Josh Loftin Deseret Morning News 

Vermont:

No coverage of provisional voting in local newspapers. 

Virginia:

Virginia Provisional Ballots 

1. COUNTY MAN'S VOTE WON'T COUNT; HE SAYS HE REGISTERED; CHESTERFIELD 

REGISTRAR SAYS THERE'S NO PROOF, Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia), June 16, 2005 

Thursday, ONE STAR EDITION, AREA/STATE; Pg. B-6, 557 words, By Julian Walker Times-Dispatch 

Staff Writer 

18. CLOSE VOTE SPOTLIGHTS SYSTEM'S LINGERING FLAWS, Roanoke Times & World News 

(Roanoke, VA), November 4, 2004 Thursday Metro Edition, 405 words 

28. Before heading to polls, have ID to show and know where to go, The Virginian-Pilot(Norfolk, Va.), 

November 2, 2004 Tuesday, The Virginian-Pilot Edition, Pg. A1, 720 words, JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE 

30. A primer for Virginia voters in Tuesday's election, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 

30, 2004, Saturday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 512 words, By The Associated Press 

Washington:

Washington Provisional Ballots 

6. Judge allows "proportional analysis" method in election challenge, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, May 2, 2005, Monday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 888 words, By REBECCA COOK, Associated 

Press Writer, WENATCHEE, Wash. 

14. Logan: King County may never know number of illegal ballots, The Associated Press State & Local 

Wire, April 26, 2005, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 818 words, By REBECCA COOK, 

Associated Press Writer, OLYMPIA, Wash. 

100. Judge rules for Democrats, allows provisional ballot count, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 16, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 550 words, SEATTLE 

119. Election officials now feel impact of large turnout, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

November 3, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle, Political News, 511 words, By TIM BOOTH, Associated Press 

Writer, SEATTLE 

120. Army of lawyers, poll watchers mobilizes for Election Day, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

October 31, 2004, Sunday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 822 words, By REBECCA COOK, Associated 

Press Writer, SEATTLE 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002324029_hasen10.html
67

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slu 

g=WA%20Election%20Challenge%20Reform 

West Virginia:

West Virginia Provisional Ballots 

20. Measure allows voters to ensure provisional ballots were counted, Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), 

November 6, 2004, Saturday, News; Pg. P6D, 905 words, Avery Johnson 

30. Voters' help box, Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), November 2, 2004, Tuesday, News; Pg. P1C, 390 

words 

33. Information for voters on election day, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 29, 2004, 

Friday, BC cycle, Political News, 776 words, By The Associated Press 

Wisconsin:

Wisconsin Provisional Ballots 

14. Reforming elections, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin), November 14, 2004 Sunday, Final 

Edition, J Crossroads; Pg. 4, 555 words, STANFORD, Staff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

27. WHAT ARE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS?, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin), November 

3, 2004 Wednesday, FOURTH EDITION, FRONT; Pg. A9, 152 words 

29. ELECTION 2004 All you need to know to make your vote count, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

(Wisconsin), November 2, 2004 Tuesday, Final Edition, B News; Pg. 1, 959 words, TOM KERTSCHER, 

Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

30. Protect voter rights today, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin), November 2, 2004 Tuesday, Final 

Edition, A News; Pg. 14, 730 words, STANFORD, Staff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

33. PROVISIONAL VOTES NOT SEEN AS PROBLEM, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, 

Wisconsin), October 31, 2004 Sunday, ALL EDITION, LOCAL/WISCONSIN; Pg. D2, 366 

words, Elizabeth Wachowski Wisconsin State Journal 

42. Provisional ballots will allow new voters without identification to vote, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

(Wisconsin), October 5, 2004 Tuesday, Final Edition, B News; Pg. 7, 373 words, MEG JONES, Journal 

Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

Wyoming:

Wyoming Provisional Ballots 

5. Trend: Less than half likely to vote in Wyoming primary, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 

August 15, 2004, Sunday, BC cycle, State and Regional, 628 words, By ROBERT W. BLACK, Associated 

Press Writer, CHEYENNE, Wyo. 

State Elections Websites Consulted 

http://www.sos.state.al.us/election/index.cfm 

http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/ 

http://www.azsos.gov/ 

http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections.html 

http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm 

http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/main.htm 

http://www.sots.state.ct.us/ElectionsDivision/Electionindex.html 

http://www.state.de.us/election/ 

http://www.dcboee.org/ 
68

http://election.dos.state.fl.us/ 

http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/default.htm 

http://www.hawaii.gov/elections 

http://www.idahovotes.gov/

http://www.elections.state.il.us/ 

http://www.state.in.us/sos/elections/index.html 

http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/index.html 

http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections.html 

http://sos.ky.gov/elections/ 

http://www.sec.state.la.us/elections/elections-index.htm 

http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/

http://www.elections.state.md.us/ 

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm 

http://michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633---,00.html

http://www.sos.state.mn.us/election/index.html

http://www.sos.state.ms.us/elections/elections.asp

http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/ 

http://sos.state.mt.us/css/ELB/Contents.asp 

http://www.sos.state.ne.us/elec/ 

http://secretaryofstate.biz/nvelection/index.htm 

http://www.sos.nh.gov/electionsnew.htm

http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections/electionshome.html 

http://www.sos.state.nm.us/ 

http://www.elections.state.ny.us/portal/page?_pageid=153,42096,153_53293&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL 

http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/ 

http://www.state.nd.us/sec/electvote/

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/elections/index.html 

http://www.oklaosf.state.ok.us/~elections/ 

http://www.oregonvotes.org/ 

http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/site/default.asp

http://www.sec.state.ri.us/elections 

http://www.state.sc.us/scsec/ 

http://www.sdsos.gov/elections/ 

http://www.state.tn.us/sos/election/index.htm 

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml 

http://www.voterlink.utah.gov/ 

http://vermont-elections.org/soshome.htm 

http://www.sbe.state.va.us/ 

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/ 

http://www.wvsos.org/elections/main.htm 

http://elections.state.wi.us/

http://soswy.state.wy.us/election/election.htm