As some Alabama citizens respond to disaster recovery calls from the northeast because of the extremely damaging Tropical Storm Sandy, Secretary of State Beth Chapman would like to remind registered voters who may be leaving the state to help storm victims and communities that the deadline to apply for the absentee ballot for the November 6th General Election is Thursday, November 1st. Alabama Power Company and the Red Cross are among the groups currently sending employees and volunteers to respond.
"Alabamians are always willing and ready to assist other states in times of need. I do want to remind registered voters who may be leaving the state and away from their county on the day of the election that they can visit or contact their local absentee election manager’s office before they leave and vote an absentee ballot so they will not miss out on their right to vote while serving others," Chapman said.
Alabama also has an emergency absentee ballot law that allows those with business or medical emergencies to vote absentee on the day prior to the election. Applications can be made after the absentee deadline but no later than 5 PM on the day before the election if the voter is required by an employer under unforeseen circumstances to be out of the county on Election Day for an emergency business trip, or has a medical emergency requiring treatment from a licensed physician.
Despite the effects around the country from the storm, Alabama’s election will be held on November 6th. "Other states that may be operating under a state of emergency could possibly delay voting, but that will not be the case in Alabama," Chapman said.
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot for all registered voters in Alabama for the November 6th General Election is November 1st. The deadline to return that ballot to the absentee election manager is November 5th. The ballot can be postmarked or hand delivered by that date. A registered voter can find the application and the address of their absentee election manager by visiting www.alabamavotes.gov and clicking on the Absentee Voting icon.
A voter may cast an absentee ballot if he or she:
Will be absent from the county on election day
Is ill or has a physical disability that prevents a trip to the polling place
Is 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
Is an appointed election officer or poll watcher at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place
Works a required shift, 10-hours or more, that coincides with polling hours
For more information, please visit www.alabamavotes.gov or call 1800-274-VOTE.
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