Absentee voting begins today in Alabama

Montgomery, Ala. – Registered voters in all of Alabama’s 67 counties are now able to apply for, receive, and vote for candidates running in the November election. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has issued an order allowing voters to check the box for “ill or has a physical disability” due to concerns over COVID-19, even if the voter is not currently suffering from adverse effects.

The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is October 29. Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than the day prior to the election and received by the absentee election manager no later than noon on election day, which is November 3.

Observers expect a record amount of absentee ballots as COVID-19 is still a lingering threat in the state. During the July runoff election, there were more absentee ballots submitted than in any other runoff election in Alabama history.

Voters will need a copy of their photo ID to request an absentee ballot application. After receiving their ballot, the voter will have to sign an affidavit attesting to their vote along with the signatures of two witnesses proving their identity. More information from the Secretary of State’s office is located at this link.

In-person early voting at the county courthouse removes the two-signature requirement as the county clerk can notarize your application and ballot onsite. If a voter requests a ballot, they cannot then show up at their precinct in November as their name will be removed from the voter roll for that election.

The absentee ballot application for all of Alabama’s counties is located here at this link.