Absentee Voting

How do I request an absentee ballot?

• By mail: Download, print and complete an absentee ballot application from the secretary of state’s website. Completed applications must include a copy of a valid photo I.D. Note: No absentee ballot application may be mailed in the same envelope as another voter's absentee ballot application.

• In person: Go to your local absentee election manager to apply for an absentee ballot. Make sure to bring a valid photo I.D.

• Your absentee election manager's office must receive your application by mail by the 7th day prior to the election, or in person by the 5th day prior to the election. 

How do I complete my absentee ballot?

The absentee ballot comes with three envelopes– one plain (the secrecy envelope), one with an affidavit printed on the outside, and one plain envelope, preaddressed (the outer envelope).

Complete the ballot, and then do as follows:

• Seal the ballot in the plain envelope.
• Place the plain envelope inside the accompanying affidavit envelope.
• Seal the affidavit envelope and complete the affidavit that is on the outside of the envelope.
• Sign the affidavit and have the signature witnessed by either a notary public or two witnesses 18 years of age or older.

Need a visual?

A voter may cast an absentee ballot if they:

• EXPECT TO BE ABSENT FROM THE COUNTY on election day

• ARW ILL OR HAVE A PHYSICAL DISABILITY that prevents a trip to the polling place
• ARE PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE IN PERSON BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ACCESS THEIR ASSIGNED POLLING PLACE DUE TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DISABILITIES (neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, or other life-altering disorder that affects his or her ability to perform manual tasks, stand for any length of time, walk unassisted, see, hear or speak) AND: A) THEY ARE AN ELDERLY VOTER AGED 65 OR OLDER; OR B) THEY ARE A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY
• ARE A REGISTERED ALABAMA VOTER LIVING OUTSIDE THE COUNTY, such as a member of the armed forces, a voter employed outside the United States, a college student, or a spouse or child of such a person
• ARE AN APPOINTED ELECTION OFFICER OR POLL WATCHER at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place
• EXPECT TO WORK A REQUIRED SHIFT, 10-HOURS OR MORE, that coincides with polling hours
• ARE A CAREGIVER for a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and the family member is confined to their home
• ARE CURRENTLY INCARCERATED in prison or jail and has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude

The absentee ballot application must be received by the Absentee Election Manager by the 7th day prior to the election if delivered by mail and the 5th day prior to the election if delivered by hand.

EMERGENCY ABSENTEE VOTING applications can be made after the absentee deadline but no later than 5 PM on the day before the election, if the voter:

• is required by an employer under unforeseen circumstances to be unavailable at the polls on the day of the election
• is a caregiver of a person who requires emergency treatment by licensed physician within five days before an election
• has a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity die within five days before an election

MEDICAL EMERGENCY ABSENTEE VOTING applications can be made by a voter who has a medical emergency requiring treatment from a licensed physician within 5 days of an election.  During that 5 day period, the medical emergency absentee ballot application and the voted absentee ballot must be returned no later than noon on the day the election is held. The medical emergency absentee ballot application requires that the attending physician describe and certify the circumstances as constituting an emergency.  The voter may designate someone to turn in the medical emergency absentee ballot application, receive the absentee ballot on behalf of the voter, and return the voted absentee ballot to the Absentee Election Manager on behalf of the voter.