If you’re wanting to vote absentee for the November 5, 2024, general election, you need to know the deadlines to vote absentee in person and the deadline for the absentee election manager to receive your mail-in absentee ballot.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen issued a media release reminding Alabamians of the deadline dates for absentee voting.
For voters wanting to have absentee ballots mailed to them, the application must be received by the absentee election manager on or before Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The deadline to return an absentee ballot application in person is Thursday, October 31.
Absentee ballots being returned by mail must be received by the absentee election manager before noon on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Absentee ballots being returned in-person must be received by the absentee election manager by the close of business on November 4, 2024.
Keep in mind the United States Postal Service mail delivery estimated times. According to a recent release from the USPS, it is recommended to mail in your absentee ballot application and absentee ballots at least 14 days before the applicable deadlines.
For those voting absentee in person at the Franklin County Absentee Election Manager’s office, you must bring a valid photo identification, just as voters must when they vote at the polls on November 5, 2024.
In Franklin County, Brent Jeffreys is serving as the county’s absentee election manager. His office is on the first floor of the Franklin County Courthouse.
The Alabama Legislature passed legislation that stiffened state laws protecting voters from activists who profit from the absentee election process.
Co-sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), the law was designed to protect Alabama voters from ballot harvesting and from those seeking to monetize the absentee voting process.
The law criminalizes paying or receiving payment to pre-fill or collect absentee ballot applications. It's a felony offense to knowingly receive any payment or gift for distributing, order, requesting, collecting, prefilling, completing, obtaining or delivering a voter's absentee ballot application or for paying another to do the same.
Absentee voting is underway at the Absentee Election Manager's office in the Franklin County Courthouse. To qualify for an absentee ballot, the voter must meet one of the following conditions:
--expect to be absent from the county on election day.
--are ill or have a physical infirmity.
--are a registered Alabama voter living outside the county.
--are an appointed election worker or poll watcher at a polling place other than their own.
--expect to work a required workplace shift on election day.
--are a caregiver to a family member of second degree of kinship or closer with that person being confined to their own home.
--are incarcerated in prison or jail and have not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude.
