Which of the following best defines provisional voting?

Provisional voting is a critical component of the electoral process, designed to uphold voter rights while ensuring that eligibility is verified when questions arise. The essence of provisional voting is to provide a solution when there are uncertainties about a voter's eligibility at the polls. This could occur, for instance, if a voter's name is not on the voter registration list, they do not have the required identification, or there are doubts about their compliance with residency requirements.

By using a paper ballot for provisional voting, individuals are still given the opportunity to participate in the election while allowing election officials the time and means to confirm their eligibility afterward. This process helps ensure that deserving voters are not disenfranchised due to minor discrepancies or administrative errors.

In contrast, voting from home using a secure app does not align with the definition of provisional voting and involves different security and accessibility considerations. Voting exclusively by mail is a method that may not provide for challenges regarding eligibility at the moment of voting. Lastly, the stipulation of voting only if registered in the current district does not encompass the intent of provisional voting, which emphasizes the temporary allowance for challenged voters to cast their ballots pending verification.