Absentee Voting in Alabama

If you are concerned about voting in person during a pandemic and you are otherwise qualified to vote, you can now vote via absentee ballot in Alabama. (see the Secretary of State website here)
Absentee voting rules for 2020 have been modified to allow more mail in voting and take into account the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Absentee Voting information>>>

Due to the issues going on with the U.S.P.S. currently, please act swiftly to request your ballot and return it as soon as possible.

You can find information for your county absentee ballot information here if you would like.

1. You may apply for a ballot at any time (even right now), but ballots will not be sent until September 9.
2. The final day to apply for an absentee ballot is October 29. You can print out the application for an absentee ballot online (sos.alabama.gov) or ask for one in person at your county registrar’s office.
3. You can print the application for an absentee ballot from the website (sos.alabama.gov), but you MUST use the US Postal Service to return this application or you must turn it in, in person, to your county’s Absentee Election Manager (addresses for each county are here, https://www.sos.alabama.gov/city-county-lookup/absentee-election-manager)
4. You can print the application from the website, but you cannot submit the application online because your photo ID must accompany it. No portion of this process can be submitted online!
5. On the application to receive an absentee ballot, you check the SECOND box (that you cannot vote in person because of an illness) as your reason. SOS Merrill has approved this for those who fear covid exposure.
6. You MUST enclose a photocopy of your photo ID with your APPLICATION. You do NOT send your ID again when you mail back the ballot. Unless you have signed with an “x” instead of a signature, the application does NOT need a witness. Ignore that box.
7. Applying for an absentee ballot gets your name crossed off the rolls at the polls. Once you have applied, you will either need to complete the absentee process or use a provisional ballot if you decide to go to the polls in person on November 3.
8. Your absentee BALLOT (not the application) requires either two witnesses over the age of 18 (can be family members; don’t have to be registered voters) or the seal of a notary public.
9. Remember: copy of ID must accompany the APPLICATION; witnesses’ signatures (or notary seal) must be with the ACTUAL BALLOT.
10. You mail your completed ballot (witnessed or notarized) to your county’s Absentee Election Manager (addresses link is in #3, above), not directly to the SOS. Weigh it to see if it requires two or three stamps.
11. The SOS website will allow you to track that your ballot was received and give you the dates it was sent to you and received by your registrar.