(1) After completion of the signature verification procedures in 13-13-241 or 13-19-309, MCA, as applicable, the election administrator shall determine prior to an election whether a provisionally registered absentee or mail ballot elector has provided sufficient identification defined in ARM 44.3.2302(6) or eligibility information to allow a ballot to be counted:

(a) If the identification or eligibility information is insufficient, an election official or election worker shall follow procedures described in 13-13-241, MCA, and these rules to allow a provisionally registered absentee or mail ballot elector who failed to provide proper identifying information in the outer return envelope to verify eligibility to vote:

(i) a ballot cast by an elector whose voter identification information is insufficient or whose name does not appear on the precinct register must be handled as a provisional ballot under 13-15-107, MCA;

(ii) an absentee or mail ballot elector whose ballot is determined to be provisional has until 5:00 p.m. on the day after the election to provide sufficient identification or eligibility information either in person, by facsimile, by electronic mail, or by mail postmarked on the day of the election or the day after the election;

(iii) an election official or election worker shall notify the absentee or mail ballot elector by mail or by the most expedient method available that the elector's identification or eligibility information was insufficient and that the elector's ballot will be treated as a provisional ballot until the elector provides sufficient information under 13-13-114, MCA;

(iv) if the elector is notified by mail, an election official or election worker shall provide a self-addressed return envelope along with a description in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State of the information necessary for the absentee or mail ballot elector to reclassify the provisional ballot as a regular ballot; and

(v) to the extent applicable, an election official or election worker shall handle absentee and mail ballot elector provisional ballots in the same manner as specified under the procedures for provisional ballots cast at the polling place in ARM 44.3.2113, 44.3.2114 and 44.3.2115.

(b) Upon receipt of eligibility information or of one of the forms of required identification defined in ARM 44.3.2302(6), if the identification form is verified through a voter verification process or another form of identification provided in ARM 44.3.2302(6) is sufficient:

(i) an election official or election worker shall mark on the absentee or mail ballot outer return envelope that sufficient eligibility information or identification was provided by the elector; and

(ii) the county election administrator or designee shall register the elector as a legally registered elector.

(c) An election official or election worker who receives identification information shall retain in a sealed package the copy of identification provided by the provisionally registered absentee or mail ballot elector. The sealed package containing the copy of identification may not be opened without a court order.