How to vote in Alabama

• Register to vote (online): 15 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 15 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (in person): 15 days before Election Day

• If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Alabama registration using the Alabama voter registration lookup site.
• If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.

• You can register online if you have an Alabama driver’s license or non-driver ID card.

• Visit the Alabama online voter registration site.
• Fill out all the required fields.
• You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
• You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
• The deadline to register to vote online is 15 days before Election Day.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Provide your Alabama driver’s license number or non-driver ID card number. If you do not have either of these numbers, provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have any of these numbers, write "NONE" in this space.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You do not need to register with a party to take part in that party’s primary election, caucus, or convention.
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You are required to fill in this box; however, your application will not be rejected if you fail to do so. Put the choice that best describes you from the list below: - American Indian or Alaskan Native - Asian or Pacific Islander - Black, not of Hispanic Origin - Hispanic - Multi-racial - White, not of Hispanic Origin - Other
5. Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. Your voter registration form must be postmarked by 15 days before Election Day.

• Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
• Bring your Alabama driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and Alabama address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.

• You cannot vote while incarcerated.
• You cannot vote while on parole.
• You cannot vote while on probation.
• You cannot vote upon completion of your sentence.
• Financial obligations:
  • parole fees
  • probation fees
  • court fees
  • restitution fees
• Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online): N/A
• Request deadline (by mail): Received by 7 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): 5 days before Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by NOON on Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by 1 day BEFORE Election Day

Alabama does not allow you to request your ballot online.

1. Download the Alabama absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. Your application must be received by 7 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 5 days before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be received by NOON on Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by 1 day BEFORE Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:

  You must include the following with your application:

  • A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
  • Your Alabama driver’s license number OR the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number

  Acceptable photo IDs include:

  • Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID card issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). This ID must be current or have expired within the past 60 days.
  • Digital Driver's License or non-driver ID card issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital (ALEA)
  • US passport or passport card
  • Driver’s license from any state
  • Pistol Permit with a photo
  • Military ID with a photo
  • Tribal ID with a photo
  • Alabama government employee ID card with a photo
  • Federal employee ID card with a photo
  • Alabama Department of Corrections Release - Temporary ID with a photo
  • Alabama Movement/Booking Sheet from Prison/Jail System with a photo
  • Student ID with a photo from a college or university in the state of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)
  • Any photo ID card issued by the state of Alabama or the federal government
• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:

  Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected. Additionally, your voted ballot must be notarized or signed by two witnesses.

Track your ballot here: Alabama absentee ballot tracker

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

Emergency Ballot Rules

Dates & Deadlines

• Emergency ballot request ends 1 day before Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is NOON on Election Day

Contact your local election office