Dear Citizens of Alabama: Voting is a wonderful privilege, and by

(334) 242-7200

Fax (334) 242-4993

WWW. SOS.ALABAMA.GOV

[email protected]

Alabama State Capitol

600 Dexter avenue

Suite S-105

montgomery, al 36130

John h. merrill

Secretary oF State

Dear Citizens of Alabama:

Voting is a wonderful privilege, and by exercising your right to vote, you have the

amazing opportunity to voice your personal opinion and participate in the selection

of our newest elected ofcials. If you’re at least 18 years of age and meet the other

eligibility requirements for the State of Alabama, please take some time to review

our

2020 Alabama Voter Guide

. Remember that every vote matters and shares an

equal degree of importance. If you have any questions regarding elections or voting

rights, please call our Elections Division at 334-242-7210.

May God bless you and our wonderful state.

Sincerely,

John H. Merrill

Secretary of State

Elections Division—Ofce of the Secretary of State

Elections & Voter Fraud Hotline

Statewide:

In the Montgomery area:

Fax:

1-800-274-VOTE (8683)

334-242-7210

334-242-2444

On the Internet

Elections Division:

World Wide Web:

ala[email protected]

alabamavotes.gov

stopvoterfraudnow.com

alabamavoterid.com

Visit Us in the State Capitol

600 Dexter Avenue, Rooms E-204 through E-210

Montgomery, Alabama 36130

Mailing Address

Elections Division

Ofce of the Secretary of State

P.O. Box 5616

Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616

Publication Notes

VOTER GUIDE 2020

Prepared by the Ofce of the Secretary of State

EDITORS

John H. Merrill, Secretary of State

Clay Helms, Director of Elections

Ed Packard, Administrator of Elections

Eugenia Stone, Elections Analyst

Rachel Jarrett, Asst. to the Director of Elections & Asst. to Supervisor of Voter Registration

Hugh Evans, Attorney

Janice McDonald, Special Assistant

Tempest Cantrell, State Professional Trainee

Candace Payne, State Professional Trainee

Jeff Elrod, Elections Analyst

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This document is not a substitute for the Code of Alabama. It is provided as a guide and

is not intended to be an authoritative statement of law. For further legal

information, please consult the Code of Alabama or other appropriate legal resources.

Ofces on the Ballot

Important Dates for Election 2020

FEDERAL

• President/Vice-President

• U.S. Senate (1 seat)

• U.S. House of Representatives

(7 seats)

STATE

• Supreme Court —

Associate Justice (2 seats)

• Court of Criminal Appeals (2

seats)

• Court of Civil Appeals (2 seats)

COUNTY

• Various County Ofces

PRIMARY ELECTION — MARCH 3, 2020

February 14 Last day to hand deliver voter registration forms.

February 15 Last day to postmark voter registration forms.

February 17 Voter Registration Deadline. Last day for online voter registration.

February 27 Last day for voter to make application for an absentee ballot.

March 2 Last day for voter to hand-deliver or postmark an absentee ballot.*

PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION (IF NECESSARY) — MARCH 31, 2020

March 16 Voter registration deadline.

March 26 Last day for voter to make application for an absentee ballot.

March 30 Last day for voter to hand-deliver or postmark an absentee ballot.*

GENERAL ELECTION — NOVEMBER 3, 2020

October 19 Voter registration deadline.

October 29 Last day for voter to make application for an absentee ballot.

November 2 Last day for voter to hand-deliver or postmark an absentee ballot.*

*Except for persons casting absentee ballots pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee

Voting Act (UOCAVA voters). See page 11.

STATE

• Public Service Commission —

President

• State Board of Education

(4 seats; Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7)

• Circuit Court Judges (various

seats)

• District Court Judges (various

seats)

CROSS OVER VOTING RULES

Cross Over Voting Rules

Effective August 1, 2017

According to Act #2017-340, Section 2 (a), if an elector votes in a Primary Election, he or she

may vote in a subsequent Primary Runoff Election only if he or she voted in the Primary

Election of the same political party for which the Runoff Election is being held. For those

persons who did not vote in a Primary Election, they may choose either party’s ballot in a

Primary Runoff Election.

Explanation: If you vote in the Democratic Primary Election, you may only vote in the

Democratic Runoff Election. You may not cross over and vote in the Republican Runoff

Election.

Explanation: If you vote in the Republican Primary Election, you may only vote in the

Republican Runoff Election. You may not cross over and vote in the Democratic Runoff

Election.

Explanation: If you did not vote in a Primary Election, you may choose either a Democratic or

Republican ballot in a Runoff Election.

The Cross-Over Rule starts over with each election cycle and only applies to Primary

and Primary Runoff Elections. It does not apply to a General Election.

Voted Democratic Ballot

In Primary Election

CAN ONLY Vote in

Democratic Primary

Runoff Election

Run

CANNOT Vote in Republican

Primary Runoff Election

Voted Republican Ballot

In Primary Election

CAN ONLY Vote in

Republican Primary Runoff

Election

Run

CANNOT Vote in Democratic

Primary Run-Off Election

Did Not Vote in a Primary

Election or Voted a Non-

Partisan Ballot

CAN Vote in Republican

Primary Runoff Election

Run

CAN Vote in Democratic

Primary Runoff Election

Registration Requirements

Any person may register to vote, provided that he or she:

 is a citizen of the United States;

 resides in Alabama;

 is at least 18 years old on or before election day;

 has not been barred from voting due to a disqualifying felony conviction;

 and has not been declared mentally incompetent by a court.

Applicants may register the same day that they move into the state.

When to Register

Citizens may register to vote all year, except during the 14 days prior to an

election and on Election Day. Voter registration is closed during the 14 days prior

to any election and on Election Day so that the voter list can be compiled for the

election. Voter registration applications may be submitted online at alabamavotes.

gov. Paper registration forms must be postmarked, hand-delivered to the Board

of Registrars, or submitted at a participating agency-based voter registration

location no later than the registration deadline for an election. See page 4 for

deadlines.

Keeping Your Registration Up-to-Date

A voter should immediately notify voter registration ofcials (your local Board

of Registrars) of any changes, such as a change in name and address. The law

requires that any voter whose name or address is not correct on the voter list

must provide current information before being allowed to vote. The form to

update registration information will be available at all polling places on Election

Day. If a voter moves to another county within the state, he or she must re-

Restoration of Voting Rights

An individual who is barred from registering and voting by reason of a disqualifying

felony conviction may request to have his or her voting rights restored by applying

for a “Certicate of Eligibility to Register to Vote.” An individual may qualify for

Victims of domestic violence and guardians of victims of domestic violence

may obtain information regarding special legal protections related to

personal identifying information. For further information, contact the

Secretary of State at 334-242-7210 or your local Board of Registrars.

VOTER REGISTRATION

Where and How to Register

A citizen may register to vote:

 online at alabamavotes.gov if you have an Alabama driver’s license or

nondriver identication card;

 by using the Vote for Alabama app, if you have an Alabama driver’s license or

nondriver identication card;

 when applying for or renewing a State of Alabama driver’s license or nondriver

identication card;

 at state and local government ofces when applying or recertifying for

Aid to Dependent Children, SNAP, TANF, Food Stamps, WIC, Medicaid, or

Rehabilitation Services;

 at public libraries;

 at armed forces recruiting stations;

 at the Board of Registrars located at the county seat in the voter’s county of

residence; or

 by mail-in form available at Probate Judge and License Commissioner ofces,

colleges, universities, public schools, or libraries. A mail-in registration

form may also be obtained by calling the county Board of Registrars or the

Elections Division in the Ofce of the Secretary of State (SOS) at 1-800-274-

VOTE (8683)

 by mail-in form downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website at

alabamavotes.gov.

Political Party Registration

Alabama does not have a party registration law. Therefore, a citizen does not

declare a political party preference when registering to vote.

2020 Voter Registration Deadlines

*PRIMARY RUNOFF GENERAL

Oct

March

a “Certicate of Eligibility to Register to Vote” if he or she has fullled all terms

of the sentence for the disqualifying felony conviction. For further information,

contact the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles at 334-353-7771 or pardons.

state.al.us.

Feb

THE POLLING PLACE

My Polling Place

The county Board of Registrars sends a voter information card to each voter that

includes the address of that voter’s polling place. A voter who has not received

this card should contact the local Board of Registrars for information on his or

her polling place. A voter can also verify where he or she votes on the Secretary

of State’s website at alabamavotes.gov. For municipal elections, check with the

City Clerk.

Polling Place Hours

Alabama polling places are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. Please note that polling

places located in the Eastern Time Zone may be open from 7 AM to 7 PM Eastern

Time.

Voting Procedure

1. The voter appears at the polling place and provides his or her name to

a poll worker. The voter must also present an acceptable form of photo

identication. Acceptable forms of photo identication are listed on page 6.

2. A poll worker checks the individual’s name against the list of registered voters

for that precinct. If the voter has an “I” by his/her name, the voter needs to

update their voter registration information. Before being allowed to vote,

the voter must complete a Voter Update Form that is available at the polling

place.

3. The voter signs a poll list. If the election is a party primary, the voter must

state in which party primary he or she wishes to vote and then must sign that

party’s poll list. If the election is a Primary Run-Off, the voter must vote in the

Run-Off of the same political party the voter chose for the Primary Election.

If the voter did not participate in the Primary Election, the voter must choose

in which political party’s Run-Off Election he or she wishes to vote, see page

2 for cross over voting rules.

4. The voter casts his or her vote.

VOTING PROCEDURES VARY according to the type of equipment used. For

more specic information, look for instructions printed in large type that should

be visible at each polling place. Also, poll workers will provide information on

voting procedures at the voter’s request. Poll workers are not allowed to tell a

citizen for whom to vote or to attempt to inuence a voter’s choices in any way.

*Note — Voter registration is closed during the 14 days prior to Election Day.

Deadline to hand deliver Voter Registration forms is February 14.

Deadline to postmark Voter Registration forms is February 15.

Deadline to register Online is February 17.

REPLACEMENT BALLOTS are available if the voter makes a mistake in marking

his or her ballot or if the ballot gets torn or otherwise damaged. The voter

should take the original ballot to a poll worker and request a replacement ballot.

The poll worker will issue a new ballot and place the original ballot in an envelope

marked “spoiled ballots” for security purposes.

If a Voter’s Name is not on the List of Voters

If a person’s name does not appear on the list of registered voters for the polling

place, the poll worker should contact the local Board of Registrars to determine

if the person is eligible to vote at that polling place. If the Board of Registrars is

unable to verify the person’s voter registration, he or she may vote a provisional

ballot.

Photo Voter Identication

A voter must present one of the following forms of identication before he or

she will be permitted to vote. A voter who does not have one of these forms

of photo identication is eligible for a free Alabama Photo Voter ID card. For

more information, contact the Secretary of State’s Ofce, your local Board of

Registrars, or visit www.AlabamaVoterID.com.

y Valid Alabama Driver’s License -

including Alabama Law Enforcement

Agency Digital Driver’s License

(not expired or expired less than

60 days)

y Valid Alabama Nondriver ID -

including Alabama Law Enforcement

Agency Digital Nondriver ID (not

expired or expired less than 60

days

y Valid free Alabama Photo Voter ID

card

y Valid State-issued ID (Alabama or

any other state)

x Examples

x Valid Pistol Permit (Photo

Required)

x Valid AL Movement/Booking Sheet

from Prison/Jail System (Photo

Required)

x Valid AL Department of

Corrections Release - Temporary

ID (Photo Required)

y Valid Federal-issued ID

y Valid U.S. passport

y Valid Employee ID from Federal

Government, State of Alabama,

County, Municipality, Board, or

other entity of this state, Valid

student or employee ID from

a public or private college or

university in the State of Alabama

(including postgraduate technical

or professional schools)

y Valid student or employee ID

issued by a state institution of

higher learning in any other state

y Valid Military ID

y Valid Tribal ID

For Additional information on photo

voter identication, visit

www.AlabamaVoterID.com

Exemptions from Photo Voter Identication

A VOTER WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE MILITARY OR WHO RESIDES

OVERSEAS and is eligible to vote by absentee ballot pursuant to the Uniformed

and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is not required to provide

ID when voting an absentee ballot. The term “UOCAVA voter” includes anyone

who is a member of the Uniformed Services (including his or her spouse and

dependents), Merchant Marines, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service,

and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It also includes

anyone who is a U.S. citizen residing overseas whose last place of residency prior

to moving overseas was in Alabama.

ELDERLY VOTERS AND VOTERS WITH A DISABILITY WHOSE POLLING

PLACE IS INACCESSIBLE — A voter who is entitled to vote by absentee

ballot pursuant to the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act

or any other federal law shall not be required to produce identication when

voting by absentee ballot. Voters who fall under this category can check a box

on their absentee ballot application, which will indicate that their polling place

is 1) inaccessible and 2) they are elderly (age 65 or older) or are disabled. The

Absentee Election Manager will not require an ID in order for these absentee

ballots to be counted. A polling place is considered inaccessible if a disabled

or elderly voter is unable to access his or her assigned polling place due to a

neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, or other life-altering

disorder that affects the ability to perform manual tasks, stand for any length of

time, walk unassisted, see, hear, or speak.

If a Voter does not have a Valid Photo ID

A voter must present a valid form of photo identication to be eligible to vote. A

list of valid photo IDs is provided on page 6. A voter who does not have a valid

form of photo ID can vote a regular ballot if their name appears on the ofcial

voters list, and he or she is positively identied by two election ofcials. If the

voter does not have a valid form of photo ID and cannot be positively identied

by two election ofcials, he or she may vote a provisional ballot (See Page 8).

Voting a Provisional Ballot

A provisional ballot is voted the same as any other ballot except the voter must 1)

sign an afdavit attesting to his or her eligibility to vote and 2) complete a voter

update form.

NAME NOT ON THE POLL LIST — The provisional ballot will be counted only

if the county Board of Registrars is able to conrm that the person casting the

ballot is a duly qualied elector of the polling place where the ballot was cast.

Marked Sample Ballots

Voters may take items such as marked sample ballots into the polling place

provided these items are used personally and are not distributed to others in the

polling place. The voter should not leave these items in the polling place.

Polling Place Provision for Elderly/Disabled

A polling ofcial may allow a voter who is physically disabled or over the age of

70 to move to the front of the line at a polling place upon request of the voter.

VOTER ASSISTANCE

Any voter who wishes to have assistance is entitled to receive help. The voter may

ask anyone (except his or her employer, an agent of the employer, or an ofcer or

agent of the voter’s union) to give that assistance. If the voter does not request a

specic individual, a poll worker may assist the voter at the request of the voter.

Campaigning on Election Day

Campaigning is allowed on Election Day as long as it is done at least 30 feet from

the door of the building where the polling place is located. If the polling place is

located in a room within a building, campaigning must not be closer than 30 feet

to the entrance of the building.

NO PHOTO IDENTIFICATION AT THE POLLING PLACE AND CANNOT

BE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED BY TWO ELECTION OFFICIALS — The voter

has until 5:00 PM on the rst Friday following the election to submit a valid form

of photo ID (see page 6) to the Board of Registrars. If proper ID is submitted

by this deadline, the ballot will be counted as long as the other requirements are

met. A voter who does not possess a valid photo ID on Election Day has until

that Friday to obtain a valid photo ID and submit it to the Board of Registrars.

NO PHOTO IDENTIFICATION INCLUDED WITH ABSENTEE BALLOT

APPLICATION — A voter may cast a provisional ballot if he or she did not

include a valid photo ID with their application for an absentee ballot on or after

the eighth day prior to an election.

ABSENTEE BALLOT NEVER RECEIVED OR CAST — A voter may cast a

provisional ballot if he or she did not receive a requested absentee ballot or the

voter did not vote the absentee ballot.

VOTER OBJECTS TO THE POLITICAL PARTY INDICATED ON THE LIST

OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE PRIMARY-RUNOFF ELECTION — The

provisional ballot will be counted only if the Board of Registrars can conrm that

the provisional ballot from the Primary Runoff election is of the same political

party as the voter’s Primary Election ballot.

ACCESSIBILITY

Polling places should be accessible to people with disabilities. At every polling place,

there will be voting equipment to accommodate voters with disabilities so that

they can vote without assistance. If your specic disability is not accommodated,

please contact your county’s Probate Judge.

ELECTION PROCESS

Some laws governing each type of election vary. For example, Primary Elections

are different from General Elections.

Types of Elections

PRIMARY ELECTION — Held by the political parties to select each party’s

nominee for the General Election. In the Primary, separate party ballots are

printed, and the voter must choose between the ballot with Democrats running

against other Democrats or the one on which Republicans run against other

Republicans.

If there are three or more candidates in a race, and if no one receives a majority of

the votes cast, then a second Primary Election or Runoff Election is held between

the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the rst Primary.

The winner of this Runoff Election will be the party nominee.

A voter remaining in a voting machine booth (or in the polling place where paper

ballots are used) for four minutes or longer may be asked by a poll worker if

assistance is needed.

IF THE VOTER DOES NOT WANT ASSISTANCE, he or she is permitted to

remain for one additional minute. At the end of that minute, if individuals are

waiting to vote, the voter may be informed that time is up and may be asked to

leave. If there is no line, the voter may have as much time as necessary to nish

voting.

IF THE VOTER WANTS ASSISTANCE, he or she may have at least ve additional

minutes to vote. At the end of the time, if others are waiting to vote, the assisted

voter may be told that time is up and may be asked to leave the polling place.

However, if there are no voters waiting, the assisted voter shall have as much time

as necessary to nish voting.

Time in the Voting Booth

ABSENTEE VOTING

Eligibility

In the 2020 elections, a voter may cast an absentee ballot if he or she:

 EXPECTS TO BE ABSENT FROM THE COUNTY on Election Day;

 IS ILL OR HAS A PHYSICAL INFIRMITY that prevents a trip to the polling

place (see page 7 regarding an exemption to the photo voter identication

requirement);

 IS A REGISTERED ALABAMA VOTER LIVING OUTSIDE THE COUNTY

including but not limited to, members of the armed forces or a spouse or

dependent of such a person, or a U.S. citizen residing overseas or students at

an educational institution located outside their county of residence;

 IS AN APPOINTED ELECTION OFFICER OR POLL WATCHER at a polling

place other than his or her regular polling place; or

 EXPECTS TO WORK A REQUIRED SHIFT WHICH HAS AT LEAST 10

HOURS that coincide with polling hours.

 IS A CAREGIVER for a family member to the second degree of kinship by

afnity or consanguinity and the family member is conned to his or her own

home.

 IS INCARCERATED IN PRISON/JAIL and has not been convicted of a felony

involving moral turpitude. (For a list of felonies involving moral turpitude,

please visit the Secretary of State’s website.)

GENERAL ELECTION — Held to determine which candidate, regardless of

political party, independent, or write-in status, will occupy each ofce that is up for

election. In the General Election, a voter may split the ticket to select candidates

from all parties on the ballot or to select independent or write-in candidates.

However, a voter may choose only one candidate per ofce.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION — Held when constitutional

amendments appear on the ballot. In a Primary Election, if a voter does not

want to participate in one of the party primaries, he or she may vote on the

amendments only.

SPECIAL ELECTION — Like a constitutional amendment election, a Special

Election may be held to place specic issues before the voters, such as whether

or not a county or city will permit alcohol sales within its jurisdiction or will raise

certain taxes. A Special Election may also be held to ll a vacancy in certain types

of ofces, such as U.S. Representative, State Senator, or State Representative.

Business/Medical Emergency Voting

Applications for business and medical emergency voting can be made after the

absentee deadline but no later than 5 PM on the day before the election, if the

voter:

 has a medical emergency requiring treatment from a licensed physician within

5 days of an election.

 is required by an employer due to unforeseen circumstances within ve (5)

days before an election to be unavailable at the polls on Election Day; or

 is a caregiver of a person who requires emergency treatment by a licensed

physician within ve (5) days before an election; or

 has a family member to the second degree of kinship by afnity or

consanguinity (voter or voter’s spouse’s parents, grandparents, siblings,

children or grandchildren) to pass away within ve (5) days before an election.

In addition to application information outlined on pages 12, the business

emergency application contains an afdavit acknowledging that the voter was not

aware of the circumstances prior to the normal absentee ballot deadline. The

medical emergency application requires that the attending physician describe and

certify the circumstances as constituting an emergency.

Military and Citizens Residing Overseas

Alabama citizens who are members of the Uniformed Services and their spouse

and dependents, Merchant Marines, commissioned corps of the Public Health

Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Alabama

overseas citizens (also known as UOCAVA voters) have two options as to how

they can receive their blank absentee ballots: (1) by electronic transmission or

(2) by U.S. Mail.

To request electronic transmission of the blank ballot, UOCAVA voters must

mark the appropriate box and provide an email address on the State of Alabama

“UOCAVA Application for Absentee Ballot” available from the Secretary of State’s

website (alabamavotes.gov). They may also mark “email/online” and provide an

email address on the Federal Post Card Application available from their Voting

Assistance Ofcer or from the website of the Federal Voting Assistance Program

(fvap.gov).

UOCAVA voters may return their ballot by U.S. Mail or by a commercial carrier.

Please note that if returning the ballot by commercial air or ground carrier,

the date the ballot is tendered to the carrier is considered the postmark date.

UOCAVA voters should ensure that their ballot is postmarked or tendered to the

commercial carrier no later than the day of the election in which they are casting

a ballot.

Citizens with Permanent Disabilities

UOCAVA voters are no longer required to have their ballot’s afdavit

envelope notarized. However, the afdavit on the envelope must be witnessed by

two persons 18 years of age or older.

UOCAVA voters may nd additional information on absentee voting on the

Internet from the Ofce of the Secretary of State at alabamavotes.gov or from

UOCAVA voters may nd additional information on absentee voting on the

Internet from the Ofce of the Secretary of State at alabamavotes.gov or from

the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) at fvap.gov. Please note that the

FVAP website provides information for UOCAVA voters only.

Citizens who have a permanent disability which prevents them from attending the

polls may apply for an absentee ballot on an annual basis. The application is valid for

all federal, state, county, and municipal elections in the calendar year and must be

renewed annually. A voter who is permanently disabled must provide verication

from their primary physician (the application must be signed and notarized by the

voter’s primary physician).

Voters submitting an absentee application on the basis of being permanently

disabled must submit their application to the Absentee Election Manager by the

fth day prior to the election. The application may be hand-delivered by the voter

or mailed to the Absentee Election Manager by U.S. Mail or by commercial carrier.

Absentee Ballot Application

To obtain an absentee ballot, write or visit the local Absentee Election Manager

(usually the Circuit Clerk), request an absentee ballot, and provide the following:

y name and residential address;

y a copy (not the orginal) of the voter’s photo identication

y election for which the ballot is requested;

y reason for absence from polls on Election Day;

y party choice, if the election is a party primary; *

y address to which the ballot should be mailed; and

y voter signature (if a mark is made in place of a signature, it must be witnessed)

It is not necessary to give a party choice for a General Election. However, in a party

primary, a voter may participate in only one political party’s primary, thus a choice

must be designated so that the appropriate ballot can be provided. If the voter

declines or fails to designate a choice for a Primary or Primary Runoff ballot, the

Absentee Election Manager may send only the ballot for constitutional amendments.

Absentee ballot applications may also be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s

website (sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes)

The absentee ballot application must be returned to the Absentee Election

Manager by the voter in person (or by the voter’s designee in the case of medical

emergency voting) or by U.S. Mail or by commercial carrier no later than the fth

day prior to the election.

Upon receiving the absentee ballot application, the Absentee Election Manager

may request additional evidence on the reason for voting absentee if the voter has

a history of continuous absentee voting.

APPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS —

Applications submitted by military personnel, their spouses or dependents, and

U.S. citizens residing overseas are valid for all federal, state, and county elections

in the current calendar year. However, these voters should ensure that they keep

their mailing addresses updated with their County Board of Registrars and with

their Absentee Election Manager.

APPLICATIONS FOR CITIZENS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES —

Applications submitted by citizens who are permanently disabled and cannot

attend the polls are valid for all federal, state, county, and municipal elections in

the current calendar year. However, these voters should ensure that they keep

their mailing addresses updated with their County Board of Registrars and with

their Absentee Election Manager.

2020 Absentee Voting Deadlines

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

SEP

OCT

NOV

Absentee Voting Begins

No Later Than

Absentee Application

Deadline

Absentee Ballot Hand-

Delivery/Postmark

Deadline

Absentee UOCAVA

Ballot Receipt Deadline

must be postmarked no later

than Election Day

PRIMARY

RUNOFF GENERAL

Ballot Receipt/Return - Non-UOCAVA Voters

If the absentee ballot application is approved, the Absentee Election Manager:

y forwards the absentee ballot by U.S. Mail; or

y personally hands the absentee ballot to the voter (or to a designee in the case

of medical emergency voting).

Absentee Ballot Process

Absentee Voting Process

Application Process

1. Print application from Secretary of State website or Request Application from Absentee Election Manager

2. Fill out application. The voter must hand deliver or mail in the application by US MAIL ONLY to the office of

the Absentee Election Manager in their county.

Absentee Ballot Materials

Absentee Ballot Process

Fill out ballot Place Ballot Inside of Secrecy Envelope and

seal the Secrecy Envelope

Place Secrecy Envelope Inside of

Affidavit Envelope and seal the

Affidavit Envelope

Fill out Affidavit - including two witness

signatures or have it notarized

Place Affidavit Envelope and a copy of valid

photo ID Inside Pre-Addressed Mailing

Envelope and seal the Pre-Addressed Envelope

Mail by US MAIL ONLY to Absen

tee

Election Manager or hand deliver before

Election Day

Application Process

1. Print application from Secretary of State’s website or request application from Absentee Elec-

tion Manager

2. Fill out application. Remember to include a copy of your valid photo ID with the application.

3. Return the application to the Absentee Election Manager either by hand (by the voter or by the

voter’s designee in case of medical emergency), US Mail, or commercial carrier.

Place Affidavit Envelope inside Pre-Addressed

Mailing Envelope and seal it.

Mail by US Mail or commercial carrier

to Absentee Election Manager or hand

deliver before Election Day.

BALLOT PROCEDURE — The absentee ballot comes with three envelopes —

one plain (the secrecy envelope), one with an afdavit, or oath, printed on the

outside, and one plain, pre-addressed envelope (the outer envelope). Once the

voter casts the ballot, the procedure is as follows:

 seal the ballot in the plain envelope (the secrecy envelope).

 place the plain envelope inside the accompanying afdavit envelope.

 seal the afdavit envelope and complete the afdavit that is on the outside of

the envelope.

 sign the afdavit and have the signature witnessed by either a notary public or

two witnesses 18 years of age or older.

 place the afdavit envelope inside the outer envelope

 NOTE: If you are voting a provisional absentee ballot due to lack of

identication, place a copy of your ID (NOT THE ORIGINAL) inside the

outer envelope.

WITNESSES OR NOTARIZATION — An absentee ballot cannot be counted

unless the afdavit is notarized or has the signatures of two witnesses who are

18 years or older.

SUBMITTING THE VOTED BALLOT — The voter is required to use one of the

following methods for returning his or her absentee ballot:

 send the ballot to the Absentee Election Manager by U.S. Mail or by

commercial carrier; or

 personally deliver the ballot to the Absentee Election Manager (or by a

designee in the case of medical emergency voting).

VOTING DEADLINE — An absentee ballot returned by mail must be postmarked

no later than the day prior to the election. If hand-delivered by the voter, the

ballot must be in the Absentee Election Manager’s ofce by the close of business

(but no later than 5 PM) on the day prior to the election. The absentee ballot

must be received by the Absentee Election Manager by noon on Election Day if,

the ballot is mailed.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

z I TURNED IN A VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION. AM I REGISTERED

TO VOTE? Just because you turned in a voter registration application does

not necessarily mean you are registered to vote. Once your application has

been processed by your local Board of Registrars, you should receive an

acknowledgement from the Registrars indicating the status of your application.

This acknowledgement will usually be a voter identication card conrming

that you are registered to vote. However, if your application was incomplete,

you may receive a letter requesting additional information to complete your

application. If you are unsure about the status of your application, you should

call your local Board of Registrars or visit alabamavotes.gov.

z I TURN 18 AFTER THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE BUT BEFORE

THE ELECTION. CAN I VOTE IN THAT ELECTION? Yes. As long as you

turn 18 on or before Election Day, even if your birthday is after the voter

registration deadline, you can apply for voter registration and participate in

that election (as long as you meet other voter qualications). Please note that

you must turn in your voter registration application before the 14-day close

for voter registration.

z I HAVE MOVED FROM ONE PART OF THE COUNTY TO ANOTHER AND

WANT TO VOTE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? You must update your voter

registration by either re-registering to vote online or by mailing in a new

voter registration form to the Board of Registrars in your county. Remember,

where you live determines who represents you. To be sure you are voting on

candidates in the correct district, it is important that you vote in the correct

precinct.

z I HAVE MOVED FROM ONE COUNTY TO ANOTHER AND WANT TO

VOTE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? When you move across county lines, you

must register to vote in your new county of residence. Voter registration

does not automatically follow you from one county to another.

z IT’S THE DAY BEFORE THE ELECTION. I FORGOT TO REGISTER TO

VOTE. IS IT TOO LATE? Yes, it is too late to register to vote for that election.

To participate in an election, you must submit your application before

registration closes for that election. Registration is closed during the 14 days

prior to an election and on Election Day.

z WHAT IF I MAKE A MISTAKE ON MY BALLOT? If you have not already

placed your ballot in the electronic voting machine or ballot box, you may ask

a poll worker for another ballot. The poll worker will spoil your rst ballot so

that it cannot be counted or reused.

z ARE CANDIDATES ALLOWED TO CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE MY POLLING

PLACE? Yes, electioneering or campaigning is permitted, outside the polling

place. However, this activity must not be closer than 30 feet to the entrance of

the polling place. If the polling place is located in a room within a building, the

campaigning must not be closer than 30 feet to the entrance of the building.

If a candidate or his or her supporters are campaigning within 30 feet of the

entrance of the polling place, notify the chief inspector of the polling place.

z CAN A CANDIDATE ASSIST ME IN MARKING MY BALLOT? Yes, if you ask

the candidate to help you. The only people who cannot assist a voter are the

voter’s employer, an agent of the voter’s employer, or an ofcer or agent of

the voter’s union.

z CAN I WEAR CAMPAIGN BUTTONS OR T-SHIRTS WITH POLITICAL

ADVERTISEMENTS INTO THE POLLING PLACE? Yes. However, you should

not loiter or leave any campaign materials in the polling place.

z CAN I CARRY A SAMPLE BALLOT INTO THE VOTING BOOTH? Yes.

However, you should not leave the sample ballot in the polling place.

z IF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ARE INCLUDED ON THE BALLOT,

MUST I VOTE ON THEM? No. You are not required to vote on constitutional

amendments. Similarly, you are not required to vote in all races on the ballot.

Participation is your choice.

z IN A PRIMARY ELECTION, AM I ALLOWED TO VOTE FOR THE

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ONLY? Yes. In fact, if you choose

not to participate in nominating candidates for either political party, you can

request a constitutional amendment ballot that contains only the proposed

constitutional amendments.

z WHEN I VOTED IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION, I WAS ASKED TO

DECLARE A POLITICAL PARTY PREFERENCE. WHY IS THAT? In Alabama,

the Primary Election is part of the nominating process for a political party. It

is used to select who will represent a party in the General Election. You are

required to choose one political party’s primary over another because you

cannot participate in the nomination of both parties’ candidates. However, in

the General Election, you may split your ticket and vote for candidates from

each political party.

z WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT WANT TO DECLARE A POLITICAL

PARTY PREFERENCE AT THE PRIMARY ELECTION? If you choose not to

declare a political preference at the Primary Election, you will not be eligible

to vote in any political party’s Primary Election. You are, however, still eligible

Alabama Boards of Registrars

AUTAUGA COUNTY

PO Box 680036

Prattville 36068-0036

(334) 358-6740

BALDWIN COUNTY

PO Box 1507

Bay Minette 36507-1507

(251) 937-0305

BARBOUR COUNTY

PO Box 402

Clayton 36016-0402

(334) 775-8579

303 E Broad St Rm 108

Eufaula 36027

(334) 687-1585

BIBB COUNTY

8 Court Square W

Centreville 35042

(205) 926-3102

BLOUNT COUNTY

220 Second Ave E Rm B-5

Oneonta 35121

(205) 625-4182

BULLOCK COUNTY

217 Prairie St N Rm 101

Union Springs 36089-1659

(334) 738-5372

BUTLER COUNTY

700 Court Sq Rm 8

Greenville 36037-2308

(334) 382-5685

(334) 382-6829

CALHOUN COUNTY

1702 Noble St Ste 113

Anniston 36201-3889

(256) 241-2930

CHAMBERS COUNTY

18 Alabama Ave E Rm 101

LaFayette 36862

(334) 864-4313

610 S Gilmer Ave

Lanett 36863

(334) 644-7781

CHEROKEE COUNTY

260 Cedar Bluff Rd Ste 106

Centre 35960-1403

(256) 927-5336

CHILTON COUNTY

PO Box 640

Clanton 35046-0640

(205) 755-3820

CHOCTAW COUNTY

117 S Mulberry Ave Ste 1

Butler 36904-0132

(205) 459-2531

to vote on any proposed constitutional amendments that are up for a vote.

z I VOTED IN MY POLITICAL PARTY’S PRIMARY ELECTION. MY PARTY IS

NOT HAVING A RUNOFF. CAN I VOTE IN THE OTHER PARTY’S RUNOFF

ELECTION? No. Alabama has a cross-over voting law that prohibits anyone

who voted in one party’s Primary from voting in another party’s Primary

Runoff. If you do not vote in the Primary Election, you may vote in any party’s

Primary Runoff Election. (See Page 2.)

z CAN I TAKE A CELL PHONE INTO MY POLLING PLACE? Yes. However,

use of the phone in the polling place should not disturb other voters or

disrupt the polling place.

z CAN I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE MY POLLING PLACE? Yes. However,

an individual may only take a photograph of his or her own ballot. Taking other

photographs within the polling place may intimidate other voters and is not

allowed.

Alabama Boards of Registrars

CLARKE COUNTY

PO Box 10

Grove Hill 36451-0010

(251) 275-3062

CLAY COUNTY

PO Box 446

Ashland 36251-0446

(256) 354-7815

CLEBURNE COUNTY

120 Vickery St Rm103

Hein 36264-1166

(256) 463-5299

COFFEE COUNTY

6 County Complex

New Brockton 36351-9791

(334) 894-5347

COLBERT COUNTY

201 N Main St

Tuscumbia 35674-2095

(256) 386-8535

CONECUH COUNTY

111 Court St Rm 102

Evergreen 36401

(251) 578-7024

COOSA COUNTY

PO Box 218

Rockford 35136-0218

(256) 377-2418

COVINGTON COUNTY

228 Hillcrest Dr

Andalusia 36420-2570

(334) 428-2685

CRENSHAW COUNTY

PO Box 328

Luverne 36049-0328

(334) 335-6568 x2251

(334) 335-6568 x2252

(334) 335-6568 x2253

CULLMAN COUNTY

500 2nd Ave SW Ste 112

Cullman 35055-4135

(256) 775-4697

(256) 775-4750

DALE COUNTY

PO Box 1101

Ozark 36361-1101

(334) 774-9038

DALLAS COUNTY

PO Box 987

Selma 36702-0987

(334) 874-2534

DEKALB COUNTY

111 Grand Ave SW Ste 105

Fort Payne 35967

(256) 845-8598

ELMORE COUNTY

100 E Commerce St Rm 205

Wetumpka 36092-2746

(334) 567-1150

(334) 567-1197

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

PO Box 557

Brewton 36427-0557

(251) 867-0243

(251) 867-0312

ETOWAH COUNTY

800 Forrest Ave Ste 206

Gadsden 35901-3651

(256) 549-5384

FAYETTE COUNTY

103 First Ave NW Ste 4

Fayette 35555-2627

(205) 932-5432

FRANKLIN COUNTY

PO Box 70

Russellville 35653-0070

(256) 332-8849

GENEVA COUNTY

PO Box 430

Geneva 36340-0430

(334) 684-5655

GREENE COUNTY

PO Box 224

Eutaw 35462-0224

(205) 372-9669

HALE COUNTY

905D Centerville St

Greensboro 36744-1536

(334) 624-4672

HENRY COUNTY

101 Court Square Ste K

Abbeville 36310-2135

(334) 585-6080

HOUSTON COUNTY

PO Box 6406

Dothan 36302-6406

(334) 677-4776

JACKSON COUNTY

102 E Laurel St

Scottsboro 35768

(256) 574-9339

(256) 574-9335

JEFFERSON COUNTY

716 R Arrington Jr Blvd N

Ste A-410

Birmingham 35203-0115

(205) 325-5550

LAMAR COUNTY

PO Box 338

Vernon 35592-0338

(205) 695-6348

(205) 695-9197

LAUDERDALE COUNTY

PO Box 1059

Florence 35631-1059

(256) 760-5840

(256) 760-5841

Alabama Boards of Registrars

LAWRENCE COUNTY

14451 Market Street Ste 340

Moulton 35650

(256) 974-2460

(256) 974-2461

LEE COUNTY

PO Box 1530

Opelika 36803-1530

(334) 737-3635

LIMESTONE COUNTY

100 Clinton St S Ste E

Athens 35611-2665

(256) 233-6405

LOWNDES COUNTY

PO Box 311

Hayneville 36040-0311

(334) 548-2389

(334) 548-2080

MACON COUNTY

101 Rosa Parks Ave Ste 100

Tuskegee 36083-1735

(334) 724-2617

MADISON COUNTY

819 Cook Ave NW Ste 150

Huntsville 35801-5983

(256) 532-3510

(256) 532-3519

MARENGO COUNTY

PO Box 480715

Linden 36748-0715

(334) 295-2249

(334) 295-2086

MARION COUNTY

PO Box 964

Hamilton 35570-0964

(205) 921-3625

MARSHALL COUNTY

424 Blount Ave Ste 106A

Guntersville 35976-1122

(256) 571-7740

MOBILE COUNTY

151 Government St Ste 165

Mobile 36602

(251) 574-8586

(251) 574-8587

MONROE COUNTY

PO Box 972

Monroeville 36461-0972

(251) 743-4107 x141

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

PO Box 1667

Montgomery 36102-1667

(334) 832-1215

MORGAN COUNTY

PO Box 668

Decatur 35602-0668

(256) 351-4660

(256) 351-4663

PERRY COUNTY

PO Box 555

Marion 36756-0555

(334) 683-2218 x5

PICKENS COUNTY

PO Box 173

Carrollton 35447-0173

(205) 367-2074

PIKE COUNTY

120 W Church St Rm B2

Troy 36081-1913

(334) 566-1757

(334) 566-6449

RANDOLPH COUNTY

PO Box 215

Wedowee 36278-0215

(256) 357-2138

RUSSELL COUNTY

PO Box 700

Phenix City 36868-0700

(334) 298-1443

(334) 448-1508

SHELBY COUNTY

PO Box 1642

Columbiana 35051-1642

(205) 669-3913

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

1815 Cogswell Ave Ste B-25

Pell City 35125

(205) 338-3954

SUMTER COUNTY

PO Box 783

Livingston 35470-0783

(205) 652-7902

TALLADEGA COUNTY

400 N Norton Ave

Sylacauga 35150-2010

(256) 249-1007

(256) 249-1014

PO Box 6170

Talladega 35161-6170

(256) 761-2131

(256) 761-2132

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

125 N Broadnax St Rm 20

Dadeville 36853-1371

(256) 825-1081

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY

2501 7th St Ste 200

Tuscaloosa 35401-1801

(205) 349-3870 x415

WALKER COUNTY

PO Box 1472

Jasper 35502-1472

(205) 384-7279

Alabama Boards of Registrars

Notes

WASHINGTON COUNTY

PO Box 1224

Chatom 36518-1224

(251) 847-3255

WILCOX COUNTY

PO Box 661

Camden 36726-0661

(334) 682-9753

WINSTON COUNTY

PO Box 459

Double Springs 35553-0459

(205) 489-3966

Notes