Vote at the Polls

Election Day FAQs:

What time do the polls close?

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Polls close at 7:00pm. All eligible registered voters in line by 7:00pm will be allowed to vote. Stay in line until you vote!

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The poll worker tells me I’m at the wrong location. What should I do?

It depends.

 

Is it before 5pm?

 

If it is before 5:00pm, you must vote at your assigned polling place. If you cast a provisional ballot at a polling location other than the one where you are registered before 5:00pm, that ballot will not count. Look up your polling place on My Voter Page, and if you are still unsure of where to vote, call your county elections office or the voter protection hotline.

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Is it after 5pm?

 

If it is after 5pm, do not leave – you can cast a provisional ballot! You will have the option to sign a form saying that you could not get to your correct precinct in time to vote, and then you will be able to stay and vote with a provisional ballot.

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If you need to talk through your options, call the Voter Protection Hotline immediately for real-time assistance: 888-730-5816.

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The poll worker tells me I’m not registered. What should I do?

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If you know you registered to vote before October 7, 2024 in the county in which you are trying to vote, ask the poll worker to look you up on the supplemental voter list. If the poll worker still cannot find you, insist on voting a provisional ballot. Call the Voter Protection Hotline immediately for real-time assistance: 888-730-5816.

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Should I vote a provisional ballot?

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On Election Day, if you are told you are not eligible to vote, try and work out the issue with the poll worker. However, if you can’t work it out, insist on voting a provisional ballot (unless you are told you are at the wrong precinct, in which case call the hotline for assistance).

 

If you are voting with a provisional ballot for a reason other than being at the wrong precinct, the time of day is not relevant, and generally speaking, it’s best to stay where you are and ask for a provisional ballot.

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The poll worker must allow you to vote a provisional ballot if you ask to. Report the incident to the Voter Protection Hotline as soon as possible: 888-730-5816.

 

I’m elderly or have a physical disability. Are there any accommodations for me at the polls?

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If you are 75 or older, or have a physical disability, you are entitled to go to the front of the line if there is one between the hours of 9:30am and 4:30pm on Election Day. During Early Voting, these hours might be extended. Ask a poll worker.

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Every polling location must have at least one location to vote while seated, such as in a wheelchair. In addition, voters with disabilities should have the option to use an accessible voting machine that will allow them to vote independently.

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You are also entitled to receive assistance from another person. You can bring or ask anyone to help you except for the following categories of people: an employer, a labor union official, a candidate on the ballot, or the family member of a candidate on the ballot.

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I have difficulty reading. Can someone help me vote?

 

Yes. You can bring or ask anyone to help you except for the following categories of people: an employer, a labor union official, a candidate on the ballot, or the family member of a candidate on the ballot.

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English is not my first language. Can someone help me when I vote?

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Yes. A voter can bring an interpreter of his choice to assist in the polling booth. The only people who cannot serve as an interpreter are an employer, a labor union official, a candidate on the ballot, or the family member of a candidate on the ballot.

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Can I still vote in person if I applied for an absentee ballot?

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Yes, you can. So long as your ballot has not been received and accepted by your county elections office, you can choose to vote in person. If you have your absentee ballot in your possession, take it with you to the polls and give it to the poll worker. The poll worker will dispose of your old ballot and let you vote on the machines. If you do not have your absentee ballot in your possession (for example, you have not received it yet, or you’ve misplaced it), that’s okay too. Simply tell the poll worker you applied for one, but that you’d like to vote in person instead. The poll worker will ask you to sign a form where you swear you haven’t voted, and then you’ll be permitted to vote in person.

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For any questions or problems voting, call or text the Voter Protection Hotline for assistance at 888-730-5816.