State urges registration for absentee voting
It is getting closer to time for Alabama’s run-off election, and state officials are reminding voters that absentee voting is still an option if someone is worried about contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus.
The primary run-off election will be July 14, after being rescheduled from the original March 31 date, and the last day to register for absentee voting is July 9.
“We encourage everyone to come out and exercise their right to vote, whether that is at our polling places or by absentee ballots,” said Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore, whose office organizes the election.
Absentee ballot applications can be accessed online through the Alabama Secretary of State’s office or by calling the Secretary of State’s Office at 334-242-7210.
Because of the state of emergency, any voter who determines it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at his or her regular polling place will be eligible to check the box on the absentee ballot application that is most applicable to them, according to an Alabama Secretary of State press release.
The deadline to return an absentee ballot will be by the close of the business day July 13, and the last day to postmark an absentee ballot is July 13.
Moore said those who are still planning to vote July 14 can rest assured the Franklin County Probate Judge’s office has ordered supplies for each polling place in Franklin County. Workers will have masks on, and there will be hand sanitizer available for all voters.
There are three run-offs on the ballot for Franklin County: Franklin County revenue commissioner, Court of Criminal Appeal judge, Place 2, and United States senator.
The two candidates for Franklin County Commissioner are Veronica Copeland Stancil and Stratt Byars.
The candidates for Court of Criminal Appeals judge are Beth Kellum and Will Smith, and the run-off for the U.S. Senate seat is between Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville.
While the original primary election consisted of a Republican and Democrat ballot, the run-off election will only have a Republican ballot.
Moore said he would like to remind voters there is no cross-over voting in primary elections, so those who voted as a Democrat in the primary election will not be eligible to vote in the Republican run-off elections.
For more information on testing locations and options related to the COVID-19 virus, visit CDC.gov.
