A Guide to the 2017 US Senate Special Election in Alabama

In one week, Alabamians will be heading to the polls for the first step of replacing Jeff Sessions in the Senate, left vacant when he assumed the position of Attorney General of the United States. For those of you interested in making your voices heard by voting, here is what you need to know.

Important Dates and Deadlines

• August 10, 2017 - Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the primary election

• August 15, 2017 - Primary election

• September 11, 2017 - Voter registration deadline for the primary runoff election

• September 21, 2017 - Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the primary runoff election

• September 26, 2017 - Primary runoff election

• November 27, 2017 - Voter registration deadline for general election

• December 7, 2017 - Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the general election

• December 12, 2017 - General election

The New Crossover Voting Ban

Due to a new law passed last March, voters will no longer be able to crossover vote. If there is a runoff in the primary, you will only be able to choose the ballot of the party you voted for during the initial primary election. However, if you do not choose to vote in the primary, you are free to vote for whichever runoff primary you would like.

The Ballot

Democrat Ballot:

• Will Boyd

• Vann Caldwell

• Jason E. Fisher

• Michael Hansen

• Doug Jones

• Robert Kennedy, Jr.

• Brian McGee (dropped out)

• Charles Nana

Republican Ballot:

• James Paul Beretta

• Joseph F. Breault

• Randy Brinson

• Mo Brooks

• Dom Gentile (dropped out)

• Mary Maxwell

• Roy S. Moore

• Bryan Peeples

• Trip Pittman

• Luther Strange

For more information on what their platforms look like so you have a better understanding of who to vote for, here is a link to all of the candidates running and statements describing their campaigns.

The Referendums

Sumter and Walker counties will be voting on a referendum concerning the levying of a 1 cent sales tax for the citizens in those counties.

• Democratic Ballot (Sumter)

• Republican Ballot (Sumter)

• Democratic Ballot (Walker)

• Republican Ballot (Walker)

Tallapoosa county will be voting on a referendum concerning the levying of a fire protection fee for citizens living in the Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue District.

• Democratic Ballot (Tallapoosa)

• Republican Ballot (Tallapoosa)

Absentee Voting

For those voting out of state, absentee ballots have to be postmarked by August 15, 2017, and must be received at 12:00 pm on the 7th day after the election, August 22, 2017.

If your polling place is not ADA compliant or accessible, you are also eligible to vote by absentee ballot.

Voting ID Laws

When you arrive to vote, you must have a valid photo identification to show to the election official. This can be an Alabama driver’s license or nondriver identification card, any identification card authorized by the State of Alabama or the US government for personal identification, a US passport, a student ID, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a prison ID. If you are voting absentee, then you must send a photocopy of one of the aforementioned IDs.

Be Prepared

• You have from 7 AM to 7 PM to cast your vote in these elections. Vote early to avoid long lines. As long as you are in line by 7 PM, you can still cast your ballot.
• Take a minute to find your polling place by visiting alabamavotes.gov.
• Ask for and/or receive help if you need it, as long as it is not an employer or union representative.

Remember, this is your opportunity to make your voice heard by deciding who will represent you on the federal level. Make sure you don’t waste this opportunity and be sure to exercise your right!