Ahead of the July 14 primary runoff election, Secretary of State John Merrill is reminding Alabama voters there are about three weeks left to apply for an absentee ballot.

Merrill has encouraged voters to use the absentee voting option if they are concerned about contracting or spreading the coronavirus.

Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded online or requested by visiting or calling the local absentee election manager’s office – for Franklin County, Anita Scott in the Franklin County Courthouse in Russellville.

Merrill said voters may also contact the secretary of state’s office at 334-242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application.

Because of the declared states of emergency, qualified voters who feel it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at their polling places are eligible to check the box on the absentee ballot application that is most applicable. In the case none of the boxes seem appropriate, Merrill said voters can check the box that reads as follows:

“I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”

For the July 14 runoff, the deadline to register to vote is June 29. The deadline to submit an absentee ballot application is July 9.

The deadline to return an absentee ballot to the absentee election manager is the close of business July 13, which is also the last day to postmark an absentee ballot.

Voters who are eligible to vote pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act will have until July 14 to postmark an absentee ballot.

A video on Youtube by the secretary of state’s office, titled How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot for July 14, 2020 Primary Runoff Election, walks voters through applying for an absentee ballot.