Election Day · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
How to vote in Alabama
The deadlines, early voting, mail ballots and ID rules for Alabama, and what happens after the polls close. Every fact links to the Alabama Secretary of State or the law it comes from. Rules change, and courts sometimes change them close to an election, so confirm anything you are relying on with the state.
Checked against official sources on October 7.
Key dates
- Register online by
Monday, October 19
Online applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on the deadline day. Registration closes 14 days before the election (§ 17-3-50(a)).
- Register by mail by
Monday, October 19
Postmarked by the deadline.
- Register in person by
Monday, October 19
Received by close of business at the county Board of Registrars.
- Same-day registration
No
Registration is closed during the 14 days before the election and on Election Day.
- Early voting
No in-person early voting
No early voting period.
- How early voting works
In-person absentee voting only, with an approved excuse, at the county Absentee Election Manager (usually the Circuit Clerk). Absentee voting for the general election began no later than September 9.
- Request a mail ballot by
Tuesday, October 27
Mailed applications must be received by October 27 (7 days before, § 17-11-3). Hand-delivered applications must be received by October 29 (5 days before). Emergency applications are allowed later in limited cases.
- Return your mail ballot by
Tuesday, November 3
Received, not postmarked: mailed ballots must reach the Absentee Election Manager by noon on November 3 (§ 17-11-18(a)). Hand-delivered ballots must arrive by close of business (no later than 5 p.m.) on November 2.
- Election Day polling hours
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Anyone who tries to join the line after 7:00 p.m. may not vote.
Voting by mail
- Who can vote by mail
You need a reason to vote by mail
Excuses include absence from the county, illness or disability, age 65+ with a qualifying disability, a required work shift of 10+ hours during polling hours, caregiving, and others listed by the Secretary of State. Applications must include a copy of photo ID. The ballot affidavit must be witnessed by two adults or a notary.
- Drop boxes
No
The Secretary of State lists only three legal return methods: U.S. Mail, commercial carrier, or handing the ballot to the Absentee Election Manager in person.
- Ballots arriving after Election Day
Not counted — your ballot must arrive by the deadline
Domestic mail ballots arriving after noon on Election Day are not counted. Exception: military and overseas (UOCAVA) ballots postmarked by November 3 are accepted until noon on November 10 (§ 17-11-18(b)).
ID at the polls
- The rule
Photo ID requested
Alabama's law requires photo ID, but a voter without one can still vote if positively identified by two election officials and signs an affidavit.
- What to bring
Bring an approved photo ID. Without one, you can still vote if two poll officials positively identify you and you sign an affidavit; otherwise you can cast a provisional ballot and show ID by 5 p.m. on November 6.
Provisional ID deadline from the 2026 administrative calendar (§ 17-10-2(a)(3)).
When will we know results in Alabama?
How fast results come in depends mostly on when the polls close and when election officials are allowed to start on mail ballots. Totals shown on election night are unofficial until the state certifies them.
- Last polls close
7 p.m. Central time — 8 p.m. Eastern
Central time.
- Mail ballots can be processed from
Tuesday, November 3
Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Election Day, absentee officials check affidavits and witnesses and open the affidavit envelopes (§ 17-11-10(b)).
- Mail ballots can be counted from
Tuesday, November 3
Absentee ballots are counted upon the closing of the polls (§ 17-11-10(b)(3)).
- Counties finish their count by
Friday, November 13
County canvassing boards declare results by noon on the second Friday after the election (§ 17-12-15).
- State certifies results
Wednesday, November 25
The Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General canvass returns within 22 days after the election (§ 17-12-17).
- Automatic recount
0.5% margin
Automatic when a candidate or statewide measure loses by not more than one half of one percent, unless the losing candidate waives it within 24 hours of certification. Paid by the state (county for county offices).
- Requested recount
Any person with standing to contest the election may petition for a recount of any or all precincts, within 48 hours after the official county canvass. The petitioner pays and must post security.
- Runoff
No runoff — the candidate with the most votes wins
Alabama runoffs are for party primaries only (the June 16 primary runoff). The November general election is decided by plurality.
- Ranked-choice voting
Not used
Alabama uses vote-for-one plurality voting in general elections; the state voter guide describes no ranked-choice voting.
- Votes needed to pass a ballot measure
A simple majority
Simple majority: a proposed constitutional amendment becomes valid 'when approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon' (wording used in 2026 amendment acts under §§ 284–287).
- New governor takes office
Monday, January 18, 2027
Inauguration is the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January after the election (§§ 36-3-1 to 36-3-3).
What’s on your ballot
Every contest you will vote on, from Congress to school board, with each candidate’s positions and record and the arguments for and against them.
Confirm this with the official source
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Alabama Secretary of State.