For the last several weeks, the ACLU of Alabama has organized efforts to increase voter turnout across the state. In 2022, Alabama had one of the lowest voter participation rates in the country, with nearly two out of every three registered voters not casting a ballot.
This year, the ACLU of Alabama launched Project M.O.V.E, an initiative aimed at increasing voter participation across the state. Project Making Our Voices Echo uses community engagement and advocacy to share educational resources with registered voters about their rights at the polls. Additionally, the ACLU of Alabama in partnership with the Alabama Election Protection Coalition, has organized a non-partisan Election Protection Command Center to support voters facing issues at the polls and to provide real-time legal assistance to Alabamians who are being denied the opportunity to cast a ballot. The Alabama Election Protection Command Center will respond to voters’ concerns submitted at 866-Our-Vote.
The following memo seeks to provide helpful information about what voters need to know ahead of and on November 5th. We hope you will refer to this primer as you plan election day coverage and post-election analysis.
Additionally, today through Election Day, Shayla Mitchell, the ACLU of Alabama’s Election Protection Organizer, will be available for interviews to provide updates from the AL Election Protection Command Center. Additional details are below. Please contact Adam Muhlendorf via email ([email protected]) or at (202) 641-6216 to connect with Shayla.
Important Dates for Voters to Remember:
- Today, October 29, is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail.
- Thursday, October 31, is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person.
- Monday, November 4, is the last day to hand-deliver an absentee ballot. Election officials must receive absentee ballots returned by mail no later than Noon on Tuesday, November 5.
- Tuesday, November 5, is Election Day. Polls are open from 7 AM – 7 PM. If voters are in line at their polling place by 7 PM, they must be allowed to vote. The Alabama Election Protection Command Center will respond to voters’ concerns submitted at 866-Our-Vote.
Election Day Transportation Assistance:
Individuals needing a ride to and from voting locations across the state should contact one of the following organizations:
- Rolling to the Polls Voting Initiative:
- Toll Free: 866-4-AL Vote (425-8683)
- Local: 334-625-0758
- SMS: Text Vote334 to 31996
- Lift Our Vote
- Local: 256.701.4182
Voting Requirements:
Alabama law requires registered voters to present a valid photo ID to cast a vote. Accepted forms of identification include a driver's license (from any state), an Alabama non-driver ID, an Alabama photo voter ID, a U.S. passport, a government employee ID, a Military, Tribal, or Prison ID, or a student ID from a post-high-school institution.
Voters have the right to:
- Vote with privacy and confidentiality.
- Ask for and receive help when voting, as long as that person is not an employer or union representative.
- Be free from intimidation from campaigners.
- Have a fully ADA-compliant and accessible polling place. Voters identified under the ADA can also request assistance or accommodation to cast a ballot including audio or visual enhancements. Additionally, voters aged 65+ may walk directly to the poll check-in desk to avoid long periods of standing in line.
- Vote a regular ballot even if listed “inactive.” A voter listed as “inactive” is eligible to vote on a regular ballot after filling out an update form.
- Complete a provisional ballot if you forgot your voter ID or if they cannot find your name on the voter rolls.
- Bring a sample ballot into the polling place for use in the voting booth.
- Remain in a voting booth for four minutes. If you need assistance, you are entitled to at least an additional five minutes to vote.
- Lodge a complaint or contact the Alabama Secretary of State at 1-800-274-8683 if you think your rights have been violated.
Any individual who has questions or concerns while voting should contact the Alabama Election Protection Hotline by calling:
- ENGLISH: 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683)
- SPANISH: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (839-8682)
- ASIAN LANGUAGES: 888-API-VOTE (274-8683)
- ARABIC: 844-YALLA-US (925-5287)
