The Republican and Democratic primary runoff elections are both today.
Polls open today at 7 a.m. and close tonight at 7 p.m. in both the Republican and Democratic primary runoff elections. Republican voters will select their U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, Auditor, and public service commission nominees. Democratic voters will select their party’s nominee for Governor of Alabama. Republican voters in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District will choose their party’s nominee for Congress. Both parties have a number of state legislative races on today’s ballot in some districts across the state.
It is important to remember that Alabama does not allow crossover voting. Voters who voted in the May 24 primary election must vote in the same political party’s primary runoff election.
Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill (R) said, ‘Since 2017, Alabama’s Crossover Voting Law has been in effect and it prohibits crossover voting within a particular election cycle. For example, if a voter cast a ballot in the Republican Primary Election, then they are prohibited from casting a ballot in the Democratic Primary Runoff Election. That voter must cast a ballot in the Republican Primary Runoff Election and vice versa. However, voters who did not participate in the May 24th Primary Election or voters who strictly voted on constitutional amendments, are free to cast a ballot in either party’s Primary Runoff Election.”
Remember that you must vote in your assigned polling location. If you have moved but did not change your voting registration you must still vote at the precinct in which you are registered. There is no same-day voting registration in Alabama so if you are not a registered voter you may not participate in today’s election.
Familiarize yourself with all offices on the ballot in your location by reviewing a sample ballot for the major party of your preference.
You must have a valid photo ID to vote in any Alabama election. Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
· Valid Driver's License (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)
· Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Driver's License
· Valid Non-driver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)
· Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Non-driver ID
· Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID
· Valid State Issued ID (Alabama or any other state)
· Valid AL Department of Corrections Release- Temporary ID (Photo Required)
· Valid AL Movement/Booking Sheet from Prison/Jail System (Photo Required)
· Valid Pistol Permit (Photo Required)
· Valid Federal Issued ID
· Valid US Passport
· Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County Government, Municipality, Board, Authority, or other entity of this state
· Valid student or employee ID from a college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)
· Valid Military ID
· Valid Tribal ID
If you do not have any of these, you are entitled to obtain a free Alabama voter ID. Contact your board of registrars or call the Alabama Secretary of State’s office for assistance.
If you are age 70 or are disabled, you may advance to the front of any line. Do not hesitate to request assistance if you are older, disabled, or require special help - election workers are prepared to assist you.
Campaigns are allowed to campaign at the polling sites, but they must not get within 30 feet of the doorway to the polling place.
There are 1,980 polling stations in the state and 3,639,005 registered voters in Alabama, so there is a possibility that you may have to wait in line, though predictions are that turnout today will be only about 10 to 15%.
If you witness anything that appears not right at the polls, report it to an election official at that site. If that is not resolved satisfactorily, contact the sheriff or the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.
The eventual office holders will be selected in the Nov. 8 general election.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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