Frequently Asked Questions

There are no special ID requirements for first-time voters since all Alabama voters need to provide ID when voting in person or by absentee ballot.

All absentee voters must include a copy of their ID with their absentee ballot. Acceptable forms of voter ID include:

• Alabama college, university photo ID technical or professional school photo ID
• Alabama hunting or fishing license
• Alabama pistol / revolver permit
• Birth certificate
• Court record of adoption
• Court record of name change
• Employee photo ID
• Government document that shows the name and address of the voter
• Government-issued photo ID
• Naturalization document
• Social Security card
• US passport
• Utility bill, bank statement, government paycheck, or paycheck with voter's name and address
• Valid electronic benefits transfer card
• Valid ID card (authorized by law) issued by the State of or by any of the other 49 states or issued by the US government
• Valid Medicaid or Medicare card
• Valid pilot's license
• Valid US military ID

In most cases, the answer is no. There are two conditions, however, under which you can apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot: if you are required by an employer under unforeseen circumstances to be out of the county on Election Day for an emergency business trip, or have a medical emergency requiring treatment from a licensed physician.

If you face either of these situations, use the Alabama Application for an Emergency Absentee Ballot. The business emergency application contains an affidavit acknowledging that the voter was not aware of the out-of-county business trip prior to the normal absentee ballot deadline. The medical emergency application requires that the attending physician describe and certify the circumstances as constituting an emergency.

Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications can be submitted after the absentee ballot application deadline but no later than 5 p.m. on the day before the election.