Alabama voting FAQ: How to register, cast your ballot for Nov. 5 election

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Alabama has had many legal battles over fair representation and voting access.

Last year, federal judges created a new congressional map for Alabama, with the goal of strengthening Black voting power in U.S. congressional elections.

Here’s a handy voting guide with answers to frequently asked questions about getting the ballot to the box.

How do I find my polling place?

Use this link to look up your polling place.

What is the deadline to register to vote for the upcoming election?

The deadline to register to vote is 15 days before Election Day. For the November 5 General Election, that day is Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.

How do I register to vote?

You have options! You may:

• Submit an online voter registration application form.
• Download a voter registration application form. Print, complete, sign and mail it to the local Board of Registrars office in your county.
• Submit a request to have a voter registration application form mailed to you. The application must be postmarked by October 21 or completed online by 11:59 p.m.
• Contact the Elections Division at 1-800-274-8683 or write a request to the address listed below. (Please be sure to include a complete mailing address and the number of forms that you need.)
  • Office of the Secretary of State
  • Elections Division
  • P.O. Box 5616
  • Montgomery, Alabama 36103

How can I check my voter registration status?

Click this link to check your voter registration status.

How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

Find your county’s absentee ballot application here.

Complete it and either mail or hand deliver it to your county’s absentee election manager.

You can also submit a request for an absentee ballot application to be sent to you in the mail.

What is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?

Applications sent by mail must be received by the absentee election manager in your county no later than seven days before the election — so October 29, 2024.

Applications dropped off in person must be received no later than five days before the election — October 31, 2024.

Click this link to see a calendar of all upcoming elections.

What is the deadline for submitting an absentee ballot?

Absentee ballots sent by mail must be received by the absentee election manager no later than noon on Election Day.

Absentee ballots delivered by hand must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before the election — November 4, 2024.

Do I need to show an ID to vote?

Yes. There are many acceptable forms of identification, including a valid driver’s license, identification card, a photo voter ID and more.

Click this link to view a full list.

If those options don’t work for you, you can apply to get a free photo voter ID.

If for some reason, you can’t show your ID (like you forget it), you can still cast a provisional ballot.

You can also vote without showing ID if you’re positively identified by two election officials as a voter on the poll list who is eligible to vote and the election officials sign a sworn affidavit stating that.

Questions about IDs may be directed to the Elections Division by email or by phone at 1-800-274-8683 (or 334-242-7210 in the Montgomery area).

Learn more about Alabama voter ID rules here.

This story was produced by the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration between Mississippi Public Broadcasting, WBHM in Alabama, WWNO and WRKF in Louisiana and NPR.