2020 ABSENTEE VOTING IN ALABAMA
** NEW GUIDELINES EFFECTIVE JULY 20, 2020 ** Effect July 20, 2020, all registered Alabama voters concerned about COVID-19 can apply for and cast an absentee ballot in 2020.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW….
Requesting and Submitting An Absentee Ballot Application
We strongly urge voters submitting Absentee Ballot Applications for either the August Municipal Elections or the November General Election to do so IMMEDIATELY without delay. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic local election officials are expecting a dramatic increase in absentee ballot requests. The surge in mailed-in absentee ballot requests will likely mean delays in processing applications. Longer processing times, combined with tight mail delivery times, means that voters who wait until the Alabama Secretary of State deadline to submit applications may run the real risk that their ballots may not arrive in time.
Also, please note that once your application is accepted and approved, your name will be removed from the list of eligible voters at your polling location for the election that you applied to vote absentee.
Be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions about the process, need assistance completing the application, or you need help obtaining copies of your photo IDs. Our contact information is listed below.
STEP ONE: MAKE SURE YOU ARE A REGISTERED ACTIVE VOTER
Check your VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS HERE. Make sure your status is listed as “Active.”
STEP TWO: COMPLETE YOUR BALLOT APPLICATION
OBTAIN AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION USING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:
Option 1: Download an application here:
MUNICIPAL ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION
GENERAL ELECTION ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONOption 2: Contact us at (256) 444-4744, or stop by our office at 22143 US-72, Athens, AL 35613 between the hours of 10-2 Mon-Fri, or 10-12 on Sat. for a paper application.
Option 3: Contact your County or Municipal Absentee Election Managers's Office or the Secretary of States Office at (334) 242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application by mail.
FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.
Be sure to write clearly and legibly
If you are voting absentee due to COVID-19 concerns, select the second box which reads: “I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID Required]”
Sign your application.
INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR VALID PHOTO ID.
Click here for a list of acceptable photo ID’s and information on how to obtain one. **If you need help making a copy of your photo ID or have questions reach out to us by calling (256) 444-4744 between 10am - 2pm, M-F or 10am - noon on Saturday.
REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION
You must follow the application instructions EXACTLY for your ballot to be counted. Double check for the following: Is the application complete? Is it legible? Is it signed and dated? Did you include a copy of your photo ID? And remember, ONLY ONE APPLICATION PER ENVELOPE.
STEP THREE: SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION
MAIL OR HAND DELIVER THE COMPLETED APPLICATION, ALONG WITH A COPY OF YOUR PHOTO ID, TO YOUR COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL ABSENTEE BALLOT MANAGER.
View the Local Election Managers tab for a list mailing addresses and drop-off locations.
Completing An Absentee Ballot
Once your ballot application is approved, you should receive your ballot via U.S. Mail (unless you are collecting it in person at the Elections office).
Municipal election ballots should be received shortly after Application approval. Local Election managers will begin mailing General Election ballots on September 19. If you have not received your ballot by October 1st (and you submitted your Application early), contact your local election office immediately.
CONFIRM YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT ARRIVED WITH THREE ENVELOPES
ENVELOPE ONE: Plain secrecy envelope
ENVELOPE TWO: Affidavit / Oath envelope printed on the outside
ENVELOPE THREE: Pre-addressed return envelope
ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESS
Complete the ballot and seal it in the secrecy envelope (envelope one).
Place the secrecy envelope inside the affidavit envelope (envelope two).
Seal the affidavit envelope and complete the affidavit that is on the outside of the envelope.
Sign the affidavit and have your signature witnessed by either a notary public or two witnesses who are U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age.
Insert the affidavit envelope in the pre-addressed envelope (envelope three).
***IMPORTANT*** An absentee ballot will not be counted unless the affidavit is notarized or has the signatures of two witnesses.
Local Election Manager Contact Information
ADDRESSES FOR MAILING OR HAND DELIVERING ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS AND BALLOTS:
LIMESTONE COUNTY *** Non-Municipal General Elections only ***
Mail or hand deliver to: Brad Curnutt, Circuit Court Clerk, Absentee Election Manager, 200 West Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611
CITY OF ATHENS
Mail to: Attn: Annette Barnes, City Clerk, City of Athens, P.O. Box 1089, Athens, AL 35612
Hand deliver to: 200 West Hobbs Street, Athens, AL 35611
CITY OF MADISON
Mail or hand deliver to: Melanie A. Williard, City Clerk-Treasurer, Absentee Election Manager, 100 Hughes Road, Madison, Alabama 35758
CITY OF HUNTSVILLE
Mail to: Kenneth Benion, Clerk-Treasurer, PO Box 308, Huntsville, Alabama 35804
Hand deliver to: Absentee Ballot Manager, 308 Fountain Circle, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 (Free parking available in front of Municipal Building)
Absentee Ballot Deadlines
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS:
APPLICATIONS FOR A MUNICIPAL ABSENTEE BALLOT: We strongly urge voters submitting Absentee Ballot Applications for the August municipal elections to do so IMMEDIATELY without delay. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic local election officials are expecting a dramatic increase in absentee ballot requests. The surge in mailed-in absentee ballot requests will likely mean delays in processing applications. Longer processing times, combined with tight mail delivery times, means that voters who wait until the Alabama Secretary of State deadline to submit applications run the real risk that their ballots may not arrive in time.
DEADLINE TO RETURN COMPLETED MUNICIPAL BALLOTS: Mailed in municipal absentee ballots must received by noon on AUGUST 25 to be counted. You may also hand-deliver in person to your localities absentee election manager by close of business on August 24.
2020 GENERAL ELECTION:
APPLICATIONS FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT: Voters who intend to vote absentee in the November 3rd General Elections are strongly encouraged to submit their Application for Absentee Ballot as soon as possible without delay.
SEPTEMBER 19: Local election managers will begin mailing ballots. If you have not received your ballot by October 1st, contact your local election office immediately.
NOVEMBER 2 - HAND DELIVERED BALLOTS: Hand delivered absentee ballots must be delivered to the Absentee Election Manager’s office no later than 5pm the day before a scheduled election.
NOVEMBER 3 - MAILED BALLOTS: Mailed absentee ballots must be received by noon the day of the scheduled election.