Voters in House District 33, which includes parts of Clay, Coosa, and Talladega counties, concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic, will be able to vote absentee in the October 6 special election, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced Friday.
Merrill’s announcement follows Governor Kay Ivey’s Tuesday announcement where she set the House District 33 special primary election for Tuesday, October 6, 2020, in order to fill the vacant seat left by the unexpected passing of Representative Ron Johnson.
Any qualified voter who determines it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at their polling place shall be eligible to check the box on the absentee ballot application that is most applicable to that individual. State law allows the Secretary of State to issue absentee voting guidance during declared states of emergency, allowing Secretary Merrill to encourage voters to check the box which reads as follows (in the case none of the boxes are appropriate):
“I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”
If necessary, a special primary runoff election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The special general election is set for Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Deadlines
For the House District 33 special primary election, the deadline to register to vote is Monday, September 21, the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Thursday, October 1, the last day to return an absentee ballot by hand is Monday, October 5, and the last day to postmark an absentee ballot is Monday, October 5.
Voters who are eligible to vote pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act will have until Tuesday, October 6 to postmark an absentee ballot.
