Learn & Vote

Thank you for voting, Alabama!

Download this article for printing. Share the Facebook post. Retweet on Twitter.

VOTE-with-feet-V-screenshot

The Presidential General Election is just a few days away. What should you do now? All instruction here assumes that you have previously registered to vote in Alabama. The Alabama voter registration deadline has passed for the election on Nov. 3, 2020.

HOW TO VOTE IN ALABAMA AND MAKE IT COUNT

❊ If you are voting at the polls on Nov. 3, find your polling place at: https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview
Enter your name (exactly as you registered to vote) and date of birth. If you are voting at the polls, your vote will count ONLY if you vote at that location. Don't assume you know your polling place. It can change!

❊ If you go to the polls to vote on Nov. 3, bring valid photo voter ID. A valid Alabama driver's license or valid Alabama non-driver ID is acceptable, but there are other forms of acceptable ID. See the list at: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/voter-id

❊ If you have your absentee ballot, you can personally hand-deliver it to your county Absentee Election Manager (usually your county Circuit Clerk) until noon on Monday, Nov. 2. You can only turn in your own ballot. You cannot deliver a ballot for someone else. Because it is so close to the election and your ballot may not arrive in time, we do NOT recommend that you mail your absentee ballot at this time. Find the physical address of your county Absentee Election Manager here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/city-county-lookup/absentee-election-manager
(It is too late in Alabama to apply for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election.)

❊ If you mailed in your absentee ballot, do not assume that your ballot was received and counted. Check to see if your ballot was received and counted by going to: https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview
and enter your name (exactly as you registered to vote) and date of birth.

❊ If you voted absentee but your ballot was NOT received and counted, go to your polling place on Nov. 3 and tell the poll worker that your absentee ballot was not received and that you want to vote a provisional ballot.

❊ Learn about the candidates and the six state-wide constitutional amendment proposals on your ballot and get more answers to your election questions at VOTE411.ORG. There are many state and local candidates "down ballot". Be informed when you go to the polls!

❊ If you want to report a problem at the polls or have questions about your voting experience on election day, call the Election Protection Hotline:
1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS NOV. 3!
ARE YOU READY TO VOTE?

Check VOTE411.ORG for candidate information and more! See your candidates and where they stand on the issues!

Check your registration status before the registration deadline even if you think you are properly registered! [Voter registration deadline has passed for the Nov. 3 Election.}

Do you have questions or need assistance with absentee voting? See this absentee voting tip sheet or call the LWVGB Absentee Voting Help Line at 205 583-5000 and press 3.

Are you considering poll watching in Alabama? There are requirements and regulations that must be followed. Find out more here.

2020 Election Dates & Deadlines

Presidential General Election - includes many state and local races

Mon., Oct. 19 - Deadline to register to vote or change registration information
Thurs., Oct. 29 - Deadline to apply for absentee ballot (IMPORTANT: Apply by mid-October to avoid mail delays! OR go in person to County Courthouse by Oct. 29. Most need photo ID.)
Mon., Nov. 2 - Last day to hand-deliver or postmark absentee ballot (To be sure it counts, hand-deliver to the County Absentee Elections Manager.)
Tues., Nov. 3 - ELECTION DAY

MORE NEED TO KNOW ELECTION INFORMATION

BEFORE THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

You can register or update your registration information online if you have a current, valid Alabama driver license. Or download a registration application for mailing, or get a registration application at the Registrar's Office, a local public library, DMV office, or many public assistance offices.

VOTING ABSENTEE

If you plan to vote absentee, make application for an absentee ballot long before the application deadline!
Apply NOW!! The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is legally only five days before the election. HOWEVER, the absentee manager is expected to receive many applications during this time of COVID19. Apply a.s.a.p. to insure that you receive your ballot in time. Mail the application or personally hand deliver it to your county's Absentee Election Manager or in the case of a municipal election, to your city clerk. Unless you have a life-altering infirmity preventing your attendance to the polls, you must include a copy of your valid photo voter ID with your absentee ballot application. Check one of the accepted reasons to vote absentee. If you think it is impossible or unreasonable to vote in person at your polling place (for example, if you fear that you may contract or spread COVID19 if you go to the polls in person), you may legally check this reason for requesting an absentee ballot: "I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID Required]". This is considered a valid reason even if you are not ill at the time.

For more absentee voting information, see LWVAL Absentee Voting Tips.

Hand-deliver or postmark an absentee ballot no later than the day before the election. (We advise you to mail much earlier to avoid mail delays.)

ON ELECTION DAY!
Take valid photo voter ID to the polls. You cannot be denied the right to vote. You can vote a "provisional ballot" if your name is not on the roll or if you do not have valid photo voter ID or for any other reason. BUT in order for your vote to count, BE SURE you are at the right polling place for the residence at which you are registered to vote. You will have to report to the courthouse by Friday following the election on Tuesday with proof that your vote should count (for example, proof of residency or valid photo voter ID). To avoid this hassle, try your very best to vote a regular ballot rather than a provisional ballot.

Report an election issue by calling:
1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)

Other sources of Alabama election information:

Vote411.org - The League's online voter guide, to register or update your registration, see who is on your ballot, see ballot measures (amendment proposals) on your ballot, find your polling place, check your registration status, and much more. It's your source for answers to all your election questions! (See the widget below!)
Get the LWVAL Absentee Voting Tip Sheet. Questions?
Alabama Votes - Election information from the Secretary of State
Guía de Votantes de Alabama 2020 - En español
Alabama Electronic Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) Reporting System - Follow the money! Campaign reports for candidates and PACs

NOTE:

In General Elections (e.g. Municipal Election or Presidential Election) - You may vote for anyone in either party or write in your own choice of candidate, regardless of how or if you voted in an earlier Party Primary Election or Party Primary Runoff Election.

UPDATE: Alabama Voter Registration is now closed for the November 3rd General Election. If you need to register to vote or change your information, do it now so that you will be ready for the next election!

QuickTime PlayerScreenSnapz013

MONDAY, OCT. 19th is the LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHANGE YOUR REGISTRATION INFO. IN ALABAMA! If you live in Alabama and need to register to vote, and if you have a current valid AL driver’s license or AL non-driver ID, you can register or change your info. online at: http://bit.ly/2uKrkY2. OR you can mail your registration form and have it postmarked by Oct. 19th. To mail in, get the registration form at: https://bit.ly/3keRQ4D That form is good for changing your voter registration info. too if needed - for example if your name or address has changed since you registered. However you do it, DO IT BY MONDAY, OCT. 19th!

ELECTION UPDATE:
Thank you for voting in your municipal election runoff.

votebutton.lg
Alabama Municipal Runoff Elections
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020!

Does your city have a runoff election?
Learn about the races and candidates at
VOTE411.ORG
Birmingham Watch
al.com

Wear your mask, bring your own pen, bring valid photo ID, and
VOTE!
Polls Open 7 AM to 7 PM

National Voter Registration Day,
September 22, 2020
Read the LWVAL Media Release.

Celebrate democracy in America by registering to vote on September 22. Local Leagues across Alabama are holding special events on the big day. We're helping citizens register to vote, change their registration information, confirm their registration, find their polling place, vote absentee, get information about the candidates and amendments, and assist returning citizens to restore their voting rights. Our stations are online, virtual, and drive-by. Find many of these services in our online voter guide at VOTE411.ORG, too. Check with a local League of Women Voters near you for Voter Registration Day events!