North Cook News

State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro provided information on voting with a provisional ballot in an October 30 Facebook post. She said, "With the election less than a week away, my office is receiving many questions from neighbors about voting."

"With the election less than a week away, my office is receiving many questions from neighbors about voting," said Sanalitro, according to Facebook.

According to her Facebook post, Sanalitro shared a link to a Belleville News-Democrat article that explains how to vote using a provisional ballot. The newspaper cited the East St. Louis Board of Elections Commissioners for its explanation. A voter must complete and sign a legal affidavit form, which includes a notation from an election judge explaining the issuance of a provisional ballot. The original affidavit and documentation provided by the voter are placed into an envelope with a clear plastic window.

Screenshot of State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro's Oct. 30 Facebook post | State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro's Facebook page

Once filled out, the ballot goes into a security envelope, which is sealed and returned to the election judge. However, if a voter makes an error on the provisional ballot, they should not seal it in the security envelope but instead request a new ballot from the election judge.

Provisional ballots are used in specific situations: when a voter's name does not appear on the list of registered voters for their precinct; when an election judge or poll watcher agrees with another voter and the majority of election judges; if there is a court order requiring polling places to remain open after 7 p.m.; or if identification is required due to registration by mail but was not brought to the polling place on election day, according to the East St. Louis Board of Elections Commissioners.

Individuals who use provisional ballots can check their ballot status on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

Sanalitro has lived in Illinois for most of her adult life. Before joining the Illinois General Assembly, she worked as a District Sales Training Manager for a packaging company and currently holds an executive sales position. Her experience includes working with both large and small businesses. Additionally, she volunteers at local school districts by reading at elementary schools and supports Brittany’s Trees benefiting the SADS Foundation focused on children with hereditary heart rhythm disorders.