VOTING IN ALABAMA

Get Ready to Vote

Am I Eligible To Vote in Alabama?

To be eligible to vote, you must be:

A United States Citizen
A resident in Alabama
At least 18 years old
Not convicted of a disqualifying felony (or you have had your rights restored)*
Not legally declared mentally incompetent by a court

Note: If you turn 18 after the registration deadline, you can vote IF you submit your registration application before the deadline.

* The list of disqualifying felonies can be found here.

Online Registration

You can register to vote (or change your address) online. The deadline to register or update your registration information is the 15th day prior to the election.

Mail-In Registration

You may register to vote by mailing in an application. Applications can be downloaded from the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. When you apply for registration using the mail-in form, it must be postmarked prior to the registration deadline. The application must be mailed to the Board of Registrars office for your county. The list by county is also on back of form.

Download Application

In-Person Registration

Voter Registration services are available at your local County Board Of Registrar’s office.

You may also obtain voter registration services at the following state and local government offices and agencies:

Driver's licensing office
County and select municipal public libraries
Department of Human Resources
WIC Program, Department of Public Health

County Registrar Contact Info

How do I Register to Vote?

What ID do I need to register?

To Register Online or In Person

To register ONLINE, you will need either a valid Alabama Driver’s License or an Alabama Non-Driver’s Identification card.

To Register by Mail

To register by MAIL you will need to submit a copy of a valid photo ID with the registration application.

When and Where to Vote

(Note: Alabama does not have early voting; Must have approved excuse to vote absentee)

To Vote In Person

Verify your voting location. Polling place hours are 7 am to 7 pm on election day.

To Vote Absentee

You are eligible to cast an absentee ballot if you:

Will be absent from the county on Election Day
Are ill or have a physical disability that prevents a trip to the polling place
Are a registered Alabama voter living outside the county
Are an appointed election officer or poll watcher at a polling place other than your regular polling place
You are working a required shift of ten hours or more that coincides with polling hours
Are a caregiver for a family member (to the second degree of kinship) and the family member is confined to their home
Are not barred from voting because of a disqualifying felony conviction or, if you were convicted of a disqualifying felony, you have had your right to vote restored.
Are currently incarcerated in prison or jail and have not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude. (The list of disqualifying felonies can be found here.)
Are a student at an educational institution located outside the county of your permanent residence and unable to vote at your usual polling place on election day.

Ballot application forms may be obtained at County Registrar offices or downloaded online. Complete the form and deliver it to the Absentee Election Manager's office in your county by mail or in person. You need to submit the application yourself, unless you've designated someone else to do it for you in case of a medical emergency. For more detailed information on absentee voting in Alabama, click HERE.

LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE

Make a Voting Plan

Check your registration and polling place. Be sure your voter status is ACTIVE. Be aware that polling places can change between elections. It is recommended to confirm your voter status multiple times leading up to the election.

Confirm you have a valid photo ID that has not expired (see list of valid options above).

Decide if you will be able to vote in-person on election day. If you cannot vote in person on election day, determine whether you are eligible to cast an absentee ballot (see list above). If you are eligible to cast an absentee ballot, obtain, complete and submit an application for an Absentee Ballot. When you receive your ballot in the mail, do not delay completing and returning it. Take care to package your ballot exactly as the instructions specify.

If you will vote in-person on election day, confirm you have transportation to the polls. It is recommended to have a back-up alternative for transportation.

Know what’s on the ballot. Research candidates and any ballot initiatives. Make notes on your choices, plan to bring these notes when you vote.

Consider that you may have to stand in a line for a period of time and decide what you may need to bring with you (bottled water, portable chair, snacks, etc.)

Share your plan with family and friends. Encourage them to have their own VOTING PLAN!