ABSENTEE VOTING
Not able to make it to the polls for the primary, run-off or general election?
You can still vote via absentee ballot. Read below to find out if you qualify to vote using an absentee ballot, and if so, what the proper steps are that you need to follow.
Step 1: Eligibility
You must already be registered to vote at your current Alabama address in order to vote absentee. If you are already registered to vote, and one or more of the following describes you, then you qualify to apply for an absentee ballot:
You will be out of Jefferson County on Election Day.
You are a registered Alabama voter living ouside the U.S. (such as active duty military personnel, college students studying abroad, etc.).
You are ill or disabled and unable to make it to your polling place.
You are an elections official or poll watcher.
Your place of employment requires you to work a shift of 10 hours or more that coincides with polling hours.
There are three types of absentee ballots (traditional, emergency and military), so please make sure you scroll all the way through and download the proper ballot application, as well as read the important information on how to properly submit your absentee ballot once you have received it.
Step 2: Apply
How to request a traditional absentee ballot:
Click the red pdf button to download the absentee ballot application.
Complete all the information, including political party if it is a primary or run-off election.
If you live in the Birmingham division of Jefferson County, mail your application to:
Anne-Marie Adams
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N
Room 400
Birmingham, Alabama 35203-0001
205-325-5313
If you live in the Bessemer division of Jefferson County, mail your application to:
Karen Dunn Burks
1851 2nd Ave. N.
Bessemer, Alabama 35020
205-497-8510
You can also turn in the form in person to your respective probate office.
All absentee ballot applications must be turned in no later than five calendar days before an election.
How to request an emergency absentee ballot:
Click the red pdf button to download the emergency absentee ballot application.
Complete all the information, including political party if it is a primary or run-off election.
If your emergency is business related, you must include an affidavit verifying the trip out of the county was not scheduled until after the normal absentee deadline.
If it is a medical emergency, you must include an affidavit from your attending physician which describes and verifies your condition.
If you live in the Birmingham division of Jefferson County, mail your application to:
Anne-Marie Adams
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N
Room 400
Birmingham, Alabama 35203-0001
205-325-5313
If you live in the Bessemer division of Jefferson County, mail your application to:
Karen Dunn Burks
1851 2nd Ave. N.
Bessemer, Alabama 35020
205-497-8510
You can also turn in the form in person to your respective probate office.
All emergency absentee ballot applications must be turned in no later than 5 PM on the day before an election.
How to request a military absentee ballot:
Click the red pdf button to download the absentee ballot application.
Complete all the information, including political party if it is a primary or run-off election.
If you live in the Birmingham division of Jefferson County, mail your application to:
Anne-Marie Adams
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N
Room 400
Birmingham, Alabama 35203-0001
205-325-5313
If you live in the Bessemer division of Jefferson County, mail your application to:
Karen Dunn Burks
1851 2nd Ave. N.
Bessemer, Alabama 35020
205-497-8510
You can also turn in the form in person to your respective probate office.
It is reccomended that you request your absentee ballot as early as possible. For example, if you are voting in the November general election, you would mail in your request in September to allow ample time for the absentee ballot to reach you.
Step 3: Vote Absentee
How to properly vote by absentee ballot:
So, you've received your absentee ballot by mail. Did you know your vote can be disqualified if you don't fill it out properly and turn it in on time? Here's what you need to do to make sure your vote counts:
Once you've fully filled out your ballot, seal it in the plain envelope your are provided with.
Put the plain envelope inside the affidavit envelope, and seal that envolope.
Completely fill out the information on the outside of the affidavit envelope, and have it signed by a notary public. (There is one available at your local probate office election center.) You can also have two people who are 18-years-old or older sign the envelope if a notary public is not readily available for you.
Place the affidavit envelope inside the outer envelope, with a COPY of your photo I.D., and seal it.
If you are mailing your ballot, it must be postmarked no later than the day before the election, and must arrived no later than 12 Noon on the day of the election.
If you are hand delivering your ballot, you must do so no later than the close of business on the day before the election.
If you are in the military, your ballot must be postmarked by the day of the election, and must arrive by the seventh (7th) day following the election.