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While the voting rights movement made significant gains in Alabama in the 1960s, decades later obstacles to voting still exist. Here’s what you need to know if you’re voting in Alabama in 2012:

REGISTERING TO VOTE

Obtaining a Voter Registration Application

State of Alabama Postcard Voter Registration Applications can be found online and at many state and local government offices and agencies.

You may download a voter registration application or request a form be mailed to you through the secretary of state’s website at www.sos.state.al.us/elections/GetRegForm.aspx. The form can be printed out on your printer, filled out and then mailed to your local voter registration officials. You can find your local board of registrars at the same website or by calling 1-800-274-8683.

Voter registration also is available from your local county board of registrars or at the following state and local government institutions:

  • An Alabama DMV;
  • County and select municipal public libraries;
  • Department of Human Resources;
  • WIC Program, Department of Public Health;
  • Medicaid agency; and
  • Department of Rehabilitation Services.

The postcard voter registration form also is available at:

  • County and select municipal public libraries;
  • Department of Human Resources;
  • WIC Program, Department of Public Health;
  • Medicaid agency; and
  • Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Deadline for Registering to Vote

Voter registration is closed for the 10 days before an election.

If you have questions about voter registration in Alabama, you may contact the following by phone or by mail:

Voter Registration

State Capitol

600 Dexter Ave., Room E-210

Montgomery, Ala. 36130

Phone: 334-242-7210 or 1-800-274-8683

VOTER ID

Do I have to show an ID?

Yes, you will need to show proof of your identity at the polls. The following are acceptable forms of photo ID:

  • A valid government-issued photo ID, including an Alabama driver’s license or an Alabama non-driver identification card;
  • Employee identification with photo of employee, produced by the employer;
  • A valid photo ID card issued by an Alabama college or university; or
  • A valid photo ID issued from an Alabama technical or professional school.

If you don’t have a valid Alabama photo ID, you also may present one of the following items to vote:

  • A utility bill or bank statement with voter’s name and address;
  • A paycheck or government check with voter’s name and address;
  • Valid ID card (authorized by law) issued by the state of Alabama or any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia (including any branch, department, agency or entity of the state of Alabama); Valid identification  card (authorized by law) issued by the U.S. government (including any branch, department, agency or entity of the federal government;
  • Valid U.S. passport;
  • Valid Alabama hunting or fishing license;
  • Valid Alabama pistol/revolver permit;
  • Valid pilot’s license issued by the FAA or other authorized agency of the federal government;
  • Valid U.S. military identification;
  • Birth certificate or naturalization document (certified copy);
  • Valid Social Security card;
  • Court record of adoption or of name change (certified copy);
  • Valid Medicaid or Medicare card;
  • Valid electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card; or
  • Government document that shows the name and address of the voter.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Absentee Voting Eligibility

In Alabama, you may apply to cast an absentee ballot if:

  • You will be absent from the county on Election Day;
  • You are ill or have a physical disability that prevents a trip to the polling place;
  • You 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;
  • You are an appointed election officer or poll watcher at a polling place other than your own regular polling place;
  • You are working a required shift of 10 hours or more that coincides with polling hours.

Absentee Ballot Application

You can download an absentee ballot application at www.sos.state.al.us/elections/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx. You also can write or visit the local absentee election manager, whose contact information can be found at the same website or by calling 1-800-274-8683.

The absentee ballot application must be returned to the absentee election manager by the voter in person (or by the voter’s designee in the case of medical emergency voting) or by U.S. mail. No absentee

ballot application may be mailed in the same envelope as another voter’s absentee ballot application.

Important Things to Know About Absentee Ballots

Please read the instructions carefully. Absentee ballots in Alabama can be confusing—they come with three envelopes to protect your privacy, and certain items have to go in each envelope. There are two important things you need to do before returning your absentee ballot:

1. You must sign an affidavit on one of the envelopes, and the signature MUST be witnessed by either a notary public or two witnesses age 18 or older; and

2. You must include a copy of your voter

identification inside the outer envelope. You should not send your original ID—it won’t be returned to you.

Voting Deadline

An absentee ballot returned by mail must be postmarked no later than the day prior to the election and received by the absentee election manager no later than noon on Election Day. If hand-delivered, the ballot must be in the office of the absentee election manager by the close of business (but no later than 5 p.m.) on the day prior to the election.