When does absentee voting start?
The Probate Judge is required by law to provide ballots and supplies to the Absentee Election Manager 55 days before an election.
Back to Top
What are the qualifications for obtaining an absentee ballot?
There is no provision in Alabama law for early voting. You may vote absentee if you meet one of the following criteria and can make sworn affidavit as to one of the reasons stated below:
QUALIFICATIONS FOR A TRADITIONAL ABSENTEE BALLOT §17-10-3, Code of Alabama
- The voter expects to be out of the county or state on Election Day.
- The voter is physically incapacitated and will not be able to vote in person on Election Day.
- The voter works a shift which has at least (10) hours that coincide with the polling hours at their regular polling place.
- The voter is a student at and educational institution located outside the county of their permanent residence; and are, therefore, unable to vote at their usual polling place on Election Day.
- The voter is a member of, or the spouse of a member of, the armed forces of the United States or are otherwise entitled to vote by absentee pursuant the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42, U.S.C. 1973ff.
- The voter has been appointed as an election officer at a polling place which is not their regular polling place.
Back to Top
How do I apply for an absentee ballot?
You can call the Absentee Election Office at (334) 671-8700 or come by and pick up an application at the office of the Absentee Election Manager at the Houston County Courthouse, 114 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL. You can also download the form available in the AlabamaVotes.gov or here. PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU FILL OUT AND MAIL IN YOUR APPLICATION. PLEASE ENSURE THE ADDRESS WHERE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE IS ACCURATE ON YOUR APPLICATION. THE ACTUAL VOTER MUST SIGN OR MAKE A MARK - APPLICATION CANNOT BE SIGNED BY A POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR THE VOTER. IF VOTER SIGNS WITH A MARK, IT MUST BE WITNESSED.
Back to Top
Where do I mail the application?
The application must be mailed to: Absentee Election Manager, P.O. Drawer 6406, Dothan, AL 36302. By law (AG Opinion 82-551), each application must be mailed in a separate envelope. Multiple applications (even for husband and wife) which are mailed in the same envelope will be returned to the voter. Applications cannot be faxed to the Absentee Election Manager. For voter applications and absentee applications visit: AlabamaVotes.gov. Applications may also be delivered directly to the office by the voter in person. No third-party delivery is allowed. Applications must be received in the office by the Tuesday before the election.
Back to Top
Can I vote absentee in person?
Yes, you can come by the Absentee Election Manager's Office Monday through Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM (except on State holidays) and complete an application and vote while you are in the office. NOTE: The office is closed 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. for lunch. The cut-off date is the Thursday before the election. The address is 114 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303.
Back to Top
If I am voting absentee by mail, when do I send in the copy of my ID?
A valid photo ID must accompany your application, unless you qualify for an exemption as stated on the application.
Back to Top
How do I find out where my voting precinct is?
You can call the Houston County Board of Registrars at (334) 677-4774 for information on your voting precinct.
Back to Top
Does my absentee ballot have to be witnessed or notarized?
Yes, by law, your ballot must either be notarized OR witnessed by two people 18 years of age or older. These may be other family members. If your ballot has not been notarized or witnessed by 2 people, it will not be counted. Your ballot cannot be notarized by a canditate on the ballot that has opposition.
Back to Top
I have a relative serving in the military, how can they vote absentee?
Any military personnel can contact the military voting assistance officer and request Standard Form 76-A which is a Federal Post Card Absentee Ballot Request. It is postage pre-paid. These applications are good for all elections in the same calendar year, so once this application is received, the applicant will automatically be mailed or emailed (if that is the selected method of receipt) a ballot for upcoming elections they are eligible to vote in. For more information, go to fvap.gov. You can also download an Absentee Ballot Application from this website. The Absentee Election Manager should be notified if there is a change of address of military voter between elections.
Back to Top