Important Dates and Election Info
If you’re planning to vote, here are some key dates and details you need to know:
- Register by: Monday, Oct. 21
- Absentee ballot application (by mail): Get it in by Tuesday, Oct. 29
- Absentee ballot application (hand-delivered): Submit it by Thursday, Oct. 31
- Absentee ballot (hand-delivered): Turn it in by Monday, Nov. 4
- Absentee ballot (by mail): Make sure it’s postmarked by noon on Tuesday, Nov. 5
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Quick Voting Overview
- Registering to Vote: You’ve got until Monday, Oct. 21, to register for the general election. Want to check if you’re already registered? Just hop on the Registration Information portal.
- Absentee Voting: If you can’t make it to the polls on Election Day due to travel, illness, or disability, you might be eligible to vote absentee. Learn more about absentee voting on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.
- Early Voting: Alabama doesn’t have early in-person voting. But if you apply for an absentee ballot, you can drop it off in person by Monday, Nov. 4.
- Voting on Election Day: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a valid ID, like an Alabama driver’s license or a U.S. passport. For a list of acceptable IDs, visit the Voter ID page.
What’s New in Alabama Voting
A new law passed in 2024 changes things up a bit:
- You have to return your absentee ballot application yourself unless you have a disability or need emergency treatment close to Election Day.
- No one’s allowed to accept or offer payment or gifts for handling someone else’s absentee ballot application.
- Absentee ballot applications can’t be prefilled with your info.
- You can get help filling out an absentee application, but you need to sign it, and the person helping you must also sign and provide their name.
- Handwritten requests for absentee ballots are no longer accepted. You have to fill out an official form. You can find the form on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.
These new rules don’t apply to military or overseas voters. Check out the military and overseas voting page for more information.
Also, in 2023, federal judges updated the U.S. congressional redistricting map, which might change who’s on your ballot for 2024. You can find your district on the secretary of state’s website. Stay tuned for any updates as there’s ongoing litigation.
How to Register to Vote
You can register online, by mail, or in person:
- Online: Use the state’s voter registration portal. You’ll need your Alabama driver’s license or ID card. Register online by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21.
- By Mail: Download, print, and fill out a registration form, then mail it to your county board of registrars. Make sure it’s postmarked by Monday, Oct. 21. Forms are available on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.
- In Person: Visit your county board of registrars to fill out and submit your form by Monday, Oct. 21. You can also register while applying for or renewing your driver’s license, or at places like public schools and libraries. Find your local board of registrars here.
Checking Your Voter Registration
Not sure if you’re registered? Check your status using the Registration Information portal.
How to Get an Absentee Ballot
You can vote absentee if you have a valid reason, like planned travel, illness, or caregiving. Here’s how to request one:
- By Mail: Download and fill out an absentee ballot application from the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. Or ask to have one mailed to you.
- In Person: Visit your local absentee election manager to apply. You’ll need to include a copy of your ID, like an Alabama driver’s license or U.S. passport. Find your local absentee election manager here.
Make sure your application is received by mail by Tuesday, Oct. 29, or hand-delivered by Monday, Nov. 4.
If you have a permanent disability, you can apply to get an absentee ballot for all elections that year. Your doctor will need to sign and notarize your application.
For emergency absentee ballots (like if a close family member passes away within five days of Election Day), get your application in by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, along with a copy of your ID.
Completing Your Absentee Ballot
You’ll get three envelopes with your absentee ballot. Here’s what to do:
- Put your completed ballot in the unmarked envelope.
- Place the unmarked envelope inside the affidavit envelope.
- Seal the affidavit envelope, sign it, and have it witnessed by two adults or a notary public. The witnesses must also sign.
Finally, put the affidavit envelope in the preaddressed mailing envelope and send it back. Note: You’ll need to cover the postage.
Returning Your Absentee Ballot
New for 2024: You have to return your absentee ballot yourself, unless you have a disability or need emergency treatment close to Election Day.
- By Mail: Your absentee ballot must arrive at the absentee election manager’s office by noon on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5).
- In Person: Drop it off by 5 p.m. the day before Election Day (Monday, Nov. 4).
You can track your ballot using the Registration Information portal or by calling your absentee election manager.
Voting in Person on Election Day
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find your polling place using the Registration Information portal.
Voter ID Requirements
Bring an approved photo ID to the polls, like an Alabama driver’s license or U.S. passport. If you don’t have one, you can get a free ID at your county board of registrars or from a mobile unit that can visit you at home or an event. Call the secretary of state’s office at 800-274-8683 or 334-242-7210 for more info.
Voting with a Disability
All polling places in Alabama have accessible voting machines. You can get help from an election official or someone you choose, as long as they’re not your employer or a union official. If you’re 70 or older or have a disability, you can ask to move to the front of the line.
For more details, check out the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.
