Absentee voting for Alabama primary elections begins this week

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - We’re now less than two months away from the May 19 primary elections in Alabama, but you can use an absentee ballot starting March 25.

Before you request an absentee ballot, you need to make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements. There are several reasons you can cite to vote absentee, including if you expect to be out of town on election day, be at work during polling hours, or have a disability.

You must apply for an absentee ballot by May 12 if you’re doing it by mail, or by May 14 if you’re doing it in person.

Once you receive the ballot, you have until May 18 to return it in person, and if you mail it back, the ballot must be received by noon on election day.

Even if you do all that correctly, Montgomery Circuit Clerk Gina Ishman says it won’t be counted if you miss the crucial step of getting a witness.

“The biggest mistake people make is not getting it witnessed,” Ishman said. “They have to either get a notary or get two witnesses. If they don’t do that, those poll workers are not going to open up that ballot, and it won’t count.”

To get an absentee ballot, you’ll need to write or visit your local Absentee Election Manager, who is usually the circuit clerk. You’ll have to provide a valid photo ID, a reason you can’t make it to the polls, and several other bits of information.

Since this is a primary election, you’ll also be required to choose which party’s ballot you wish to vote on.

The winners of the primaries will face off in the general election on Nov. 3.

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