By Brandon Moseley
This week, Secretary of State John H. Merrill (R) announced that he has concluded his annual tour of all 67 of Alabama’s counties. This year marks the eighth year in a row and ninth time that Merrill has visited each county in the state.
“When I first campaigned for the Office of Secretary of State in 2013, I learned that there is truly no better way to understand the needs of our state and counties than by traveling to every area and listening to the people who make up each community,” said Merrill. “We are excited to announce that we have made more than 385 unique visits to Alabama’s 67 counties.”
Merrill also announced that for the seventh consecutive year, the Photo Voter ID and Registration Mobile Unit Program has visited each county. Each year, staff members from the Elections Division travel to each county in these mobile units that have the capability to produce valid IDs. Through these units, Alabama citizens can receive a free photo voter ID as well as register to vote. This year, the Secretary of State’s staff made 95 unique visits throughout the state’s 67 counties.
Alabama requires that everyone have a valid photo ID in order to vote. The most common form of photo ID is a valid driver’s license, but not everyone drives or has a driver’s license.
Valid photo ID includes:
Valid Alabama Driver’s License (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Driver’s License
Valid Alabama Nondriver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Nondriver ID
Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID Card
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, Municipality, Board, or other entity of this state
Valid student or employee ID from a public or private college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)
Digital student ID from a public or private college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)
Valid student or employee ID issued by a state institution of higher learning in any other state
Digital student ID issued by a state institution of higher learning in any other state
Valid Military ID
Valid Tribal ID
If you don’t have any of these you can get a voter ID from your local board of registrar's office. Failing that you can contact the mobile unit.
To request a mobile unit visit, contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at 334-242-7210.
John Merrill is term-limited from running for Secretary of State in next year’s election.
