Reasons for Voting Absentee
Sections 17-11-1 through 17-11-19, 17-9-51, and 17-17-24 through 17-17-27, Code of Alabama 1975, govern absentee voting in all primary, general, special and municipal elections in the State of Alabama. These laws specifically supersede all other laws relating to absentee voting.
Section 17-11-3, Code of Alabama 1975, provides that any qualified elector of this state may apply for and vote an absentee ballot by mail, commercial carrier provided the clerk receives absentee applications by mail not less than seven (7) days prior to the election. Applications returned by hand must be received no less than five (5) days prior to the election. Section 17-11-3(b), Code of Alabama 1975.
In addition to the requirements above, the applicant must also meet one of the following requirements:
1. The person will be out of the municipality on election day.
2. The person has any physical illness or infirmity which prevents their attendance at the polls, whether they are within or without the county on the day of the election.
3. The person expects to work on a shift which has at least 10 hours which coincide with the hours the polls are open at their regular polling place.
4. The person is enrolled as a student at an educational institution located outside the county of their personal residence attendance at which prevents his or her attendance at the polls.
5. The person is a member of, or spouse or dependent of a member of, the armed forces of the United States or is similarly qualified to vote absentee pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 52 U.S.C. 20301-20311.
6. The person has been appointed as an election officer or named as a poll watcher at a polling place other than their regular polling place.
7. The person is a caregiver for a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and the family member is confined to their home.
8. The person is incarcerated in prison or jail and has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, as provided in Section 17-3-30.1. Section 17-11-3(a), Code of Alabama 1975.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE RUNOFF ELECTION ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2025:
o September 16, 2025 – Last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail
o September 18, 2025 – Last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person
o September 22, 2025 – Last day to hand-deliver an absentee ballot
o September 23, 2025 – ELECTION DAY
o September 23, 2025 – Absentee ballots returned by mail must be received by noon
Each Absentee Ballot Application must be returned to City Hall in person by the applicant or mailed to City Hall in separate envelopes to the following address:
Attn: City Clerk
City of Helena
816 Hwy 52 East
PO Box 613
Helena, Alabama 35080