Judges improperly using provisional ballots

Eric Friedl passes this along:

Chicago, IL 38th ward, 8th precinct.

My mother moved to Chicago in April. Since she did not vote here in the previous election, her ballot card was grey, indicating she needed to show an ID. She came prepared with her current verification of registration. However, since her card was grey, the judges gave her a provisional ballot, and she chose to vote on the electronic machine. Once I learned her vote was provisional, I challenged the judges' decision. explaining to them how they had mis-interpreted the instructions in their manual. When they called "downtown" for clarification, it was confirmed that my interpretation was correct, and that my Mother should have received a standard ballot. Apparently, however, there is nothing they can do to fix the situation, since the ballot was cast electronically. One (very helpful and considerate) judge did promise to take a photocopy of my mother's ID downtown, and ensure that the ballot is counted. I do trust her sincerity, but I personally have no faith in the system beyond her control.

This is obviously a result of insufficient training and a over-eagerness to use provisional ballots. I overheard several others while I was in the polling place.