Alabama Absentee Ballot Deadline Is Thursday: Mobile County Judge Explains Who Qualifies

MOBILE, Ala. — Time is nearly up for Alabama voters who need to cast a ballot before Election Day. Thursday, Oct. 29, is the last day to apply in person for an Alabama absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 general election, and Mobile County’s top election official wants voters to understand the rules before they go.

Mobile County Probate Judge Mark Erwin said one of the most common misunderstandings is that absentee voting works like the early voting offered in many other states. It does not.

“In Alabama we have absentee voting, which is an opportunity to vote before the election,” Erwin said. “But, it’s for one of the enumerated excuses or reasons that you need to cast that ballot. It’s not just open for convenience.”

Who can vote an Alabama absentee ballot

Alabama is one of only a few states that does not offer early in-person voting or no-excuse absentee voting. Instead, state law lists specific reasons a registered voter may cast an absentee ballot. Voters must certify that at least one applies to them.

Among the reasons, according to Erwin and state election guidance:

• The voter expects to be out of the county on Election Day.
• The voter has an illness or physical disability that prevents a trip to the polling place.
• The voter works a required shift that overlaps polling hours and prevents him or her from getting to the polls.
• The voter is a registered Alabama voter temporarily living outside the county, such as a college student.
• The voter is an appointed election officer or poll watcher serving at a polling place other than his or her own.

Members of the military, their spouses and dependents, and other Alabama voters living overseas may also vote absentee under separate federal and state rules.

Thursday’s in-person deadline

Voters who qualify and still need a ballot can apply in person at their county’s absentee election office through Thursday. Applicants must include a copy of an acceptable photo ID. Voters who apply in person may fill out their ballot on the spot, or they may take it with them.

Erwin said voters who choose the second option need to pay close attention to the rules for bringing the ballot back.

“If you do take your ballot from your in-person application and you take it with you, you have until Monday to return it in person,” he said. “You have to know that the person who is issued the ballot must be the person who returns it. You cannot give your ballot to another person to return for you, and that’s another common issue that pops up.”

That means a ballot taken home Thursday must be hand-delivered by the voter by Monday, Nov. 2, the day before the election. A spouse, child or friend cannot drop it off on the voter’s behalf.

Filling out the ballot correctly

Alabama’s absentee process includes several steps that, if skipped, can cause a ballot to be rejected. The affidavit envelope that holds the ballot must be signed by the voter, and the voter’s signature must be witnessed by two adults or by a notary public. Election officials across the state routinely remind voters to read the instructions that come with the ballot carefully and to complete every required line.

Voters who have questions about their absentee ballot should contact their county’s absentee election manager before the deadlines pass rather than guessing.

Turnout tracking 2022 pace

So far, Erwin said, absentee voting in Mobile County is running at a level similar to the 2022 midterm election, the last time Alabama voters chose a governor and filled most state offices.

This year’s ballot is again a long one. In addition to the race for governor between Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Democrat Doug Jones, voters will choose members of Congress, state legislators, statewide officers and local officials, and they will decide statewide and local constitutional amendments.

Do your homework before you vote

Whether voting absentee or at the polls, Erwin urged voters to study the ballot ahead of time. Sample ballots are available through the Alabama Secretary of State’s website, where voters can see the candidates and amendments that will appear on their own ballots.

He singled out the constitutional amendments, which are often written in dense legal language and can be difficult to digest in the voting booth.

“Take a few minutes to read those constitutional amendments before you get to the poll,” Erwin said. “That way you’re not in the act of voting trying to figure out whether something’s good for the future or not, but be informed and then show up.”

The Secretary of State’s website also lets voters confirm that their registration is active and look up their polling place. Because some district lines changed this year, voters who have not checked recently may want to make sure they know where they are assigned.

If you miss the deadline

Voters who miss Thursday’s deadline still have a simple option, Erwin said: vote in person on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Alabama law also allows emergency absentee voting in limited circumstances that arise within five days of the election, such as an unexpected medical emergency or a sudden change in a voter’s work schedule. Voters who believe they qualify should contact their county absentee election manager as soon as possible.

Erwin said he hopes no eligible voter sits this election out.

“It can’t be overstated. I mean, we have this opportunity to direct the operation of our government, to make decisions in these constitutional amendments about how we operate as a society. I don’t understand how someone could give up the opportunity to participate in that. It’s unfortunate that some people do. I appreciate that some people may be cynical, some people are very busy, but in reality, you’re going to get what we vote for,” Erwin said.

Key dates and voting information

• Thursday, Oct. 29: Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot.
• Monday, Nov. 2: Last day for a voter to hand-deliver his or her own absentee ballot.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Photo ID: Required at the polls and with absentee applications.
• Sample ballots: Available through the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.