By Mary C. Kelley, Chair Etowah County Voters League
Alabama allows voting before election day but refers to “Early Voting” as “In-person Absentee Voting”. In-Person Absentee voting is not new. It has been on the books for years.
The first day that you can cast a ballot in the November 3 Presidential election is Wednesday, September 9. There are 16 days to vote during the month of September, 21 days during October, but only 2 days in November to cast a ballot – make your voice heard.
The emphasis on the use of casting your vote by mail or use of a process other than on election day is referred to by several monikers, but each is designed and approved by the State to enable residents to vote without disruption.
The United States Congress enacted a law to establish a uniform day to elect the President and Vice President. The Congressional law sets the “Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November” of each election year. The law does not provide an exception or alternate date.
However, the Alabama legislature is responsible to establish the process to vote in both federal and state elections. Decades earlier the Alabama legislature identified several groups of persons who may routinely have trouble getting to the polls on election day. In response, the Alabama legislature enacted a law to ensure that these voters exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Voters who fall within any of these groups can vote in person using an absentee ballot.
If the voter:
- Expects to 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
- Expects to work a required shift, 10-hours or more, that coincides with polling hours
- Is a caregiver for a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and the family member is confined to his or her home
- Is currently incarcerated in prison or jail and has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude
In addition, Governor Kay Ivey’s emergency proclamation allows voters to cast absentee ballots during the Emergency Pandemic. Alabama is prepared to vote during this pandemic.
ECVL is coordinating a “Day at the Polls” for community organizations. We are prepared to assist groups through information. We have 39 days in a 55-day period to vote elect or reelect a President and Vice President.
According to Rev. Keith Earl Dudley, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and Radio Host, and ECVL Coordinator, “Absentee In-Person voting is the way to go during the pandemic.
First, the process avoids any potential hiccups that could occur with mail-in voting. Secondly, the process provides immediate feedback. If all your ducks are not in order, you will not be allowed to vote. But the good news, says Pastor Dudley, voting early will give you time to fix the problem.”
If you are unable physically to go to the Judicial Building and to vote Absentee In-Person, the ECVL provides assistance in voter registration and to vote absentee by mail.
If you are not eligible to vote, drive or help get someone who is eligible get to the polls. We need everyone who can to do all that they can.
For more information or to schedule a group “Our Day at the Polls”, contact: Rev. Earl Dudley (256) 393-3975 * Mary C. Kelley (256) 478-0402 * Pastor Steve Smith (256) 458-5539.