When does absentee voting start?

The Probate Judge is required by law to provide ballots and supplies to the Absentee Election Manager 55 days before an election. Applications are now being accepted for absentee ballots for the Primary Election deadline.

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What are the qualifications for obtaining an absentee ballot?

There is no provision in Alabama law for early voting. You may vote absentee if you meet one of the following criteria and can make sworn affidavit as to one of the reasons stated below:

QUALIFICATIONS FOR A TRADITIONAL ABSENTEE BALLOT §17-10-3, Code of Alabama

  • The voter will be out of the county or state on Election Day.
  • The voter is physically incapacitated and will not be able to vote in person on Election Day.
  • The voter works a shift which has at least (10) hours that coincide with the polling hours at their regular polling place.
  • The voter is a student at and educational institution located outside the county of their permanent residence; and are, therefore, unable to vote at their usual polling place on Election Day.
  • The voter is a member of, or the spouse of a member of, the armed forces of the United States or are otherwise entitled to vote by absentee pursuant the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42, U.S.C. 1973ff.
  • The voter has been appointed as an election officer at a polling place which is not their regular polling place.

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How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

You can call the Absentee Election Office at (334) 682-4126 or come by and pick up an application at the office of the Absentee Election Manager at the Wilcox County Courthouse in Camden. The Address is P.O. Box 608, Camden, Alabama 36726. You can also download the form available in the AlabamaVotes.gov or http://www.sos.state.al.us/Elections/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx. PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU FILL OUT AND MAIL IN YOUR APPLICATION.

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Where do I mail the application?

The application must be mailed to: Absentee Election Manager, P.O. Box 608, Camden, Alabama 36726. By law (AG Opinion 82-551), each application must be mailed in a separate envelope. Multiple applications (even for husband and wife) which are mailed in the same envelope will be returned to the voter. Applications cannot be faxed to the Absentee Election Manager. For voter applications and absentee applications visit: AlabamaVotes.gov.

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Can I vote absentee in person?

Yes, you can come by the Absentee Election Manager's office Monday through Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM (except on holidays) and complete an application and vote while you are in the office. The cut-off date is Thursday (five days before an election). The address is 12 Water Street, Suite 304, Camden, AL 36726.

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If I am voting absentee by mail, when do I send in the copy of my ID?

After you complete an application, you will receive your ballot and supplies. Unless you qualify for exemption, you will need to send a copy of your ID at that time. Please read your instructions carefully as to how it is to be returned. Do not seal up your ID in either one of the white envelopes. Your ID should be placed inside the brown return envelope.

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How do I find out where my voting precinct is?

You can call the Wilcox County Board of Registrars at (334) 682-4126 for information on your voting precinct.

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Does my absentee ballot have to be witnessed or notarized?

Yes, by law, your ballot must either be notarized OR witnessed by two people 18 years of age or older. These may be other family members. If your ballot has not been notarized or witnessed by 2 people, it will not be counted.

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I have a relative serving in the military, how can they vote absentee?

Any military personnel can contact the military voting assistance officer and request Standard Form 76-A which is a Federal Post Card Absentee Ballot Request. It is postage pre-paid. These applications are good for all elections in the same calendar year, so once this application is received, the applicant will automatically be mailed or emailed (if that is the selected method of receipt) a ballot for upcoming elections they are eligible to vote in. For more information, go to fvap.gov. You can also download an Absentee Ballot Application from this website. The Absentee Election Manager should be notified if there is a change of address of military voter between elections.

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Bring a picture ID and come to the Absentee Election Office located at 12 Water Street, Suite 304, Camden, AL 36726 at the Wilcox County Meeting Center, downtown Camden.

Mail completed application to the address indicated below. Only one application may be mailed in each envelope. A ballot will then be mailed to you at the address you indicate. Application must be received in the office of the Absentee Election Manager by 4:30 P.M. Applications can be mailed to:

Carolyn Posey
Absentee Manager
P.O. Box 608
Camden, Alabama 36726.

VOTED BALLOTS may be hand delivered to the Absentee Election Manager BY THE VOTER by 4:30 p.m.

From the desk of the Absentee Election Manager

Absentee voting will begin on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. The location is in the Wilcox County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Courthouse Annex, Suite 304, Camden, AL. Please remember to bring a government issued photo ID. Absentee voting will be available during regular business hours from 8 to 4:30 and closes from 12 to 1 for lunch.

Changes, as provided in Act 2021-364, are listed below:

Absentee ballot application delivered by mail must be received in the office of the Absentee Election Manager no later than 7 days prior to the election.  Applications returned by hand must be received in the office no later than 5 days prior to the election. 

An absentee ballot returned by mail must be received by the Absentee Election Manager no later than noon on election day.  If hand delivered, the ballot must be in the office of the Absentee Election Manager by the close of business on the day prior to the election.

The postmark deadline of the day before the election has been removed.  Mailed ballots must be received no later than noon on election day, regardless of postmark date. 

Absentee Election officials may begin processing absentee ballots beginning at 7 a.m. on election day. 

Additionally, NO BALLOTS shall be taken into or out of any voting place, except in performing the authorized pre-election and post-election duties of transporting ballots.  Therefore, we can no longer bring the ballot to your car in order for you to vote.  We urge you to mail in the application and we will mail your ballot to you.  However, if you need an application, call our office @ 334-682-4126 and we will mail you one.

Absentee Voting Law Updates

Alabama Act 2019-507 became effective August 1, 2019, establishing new requirements for voters casting absentee ballots.

A copy of the voter's valid photo identification must now be submitted along with the absentee ballot application.

The Absentee Election Managers are no longer required to publish the list of absentee voters, addresses and their polling places in the county courthouse.  NO LONGER PUBLIC RECORD.

The law introduces two new instance for voters to submit an absentee ballot: If a voter is the caregiver to an immediate family member or if a voter has been incarcerated but has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony.

Further, Act 2019-507 provides that a voter may apply for an emergency absentee ballot while serving as the caregiver to someone who requires medical treatment or if an immediate family member has passed away within five days of an election.

In order to ensure absentee ballots are returned in a timely manner in a way that is convenient, voters now have the option to return ballots by commercial carrier in addition to U.S. mail.

Candidate may not witness or notarize any absentee ballot unless running unopposed.

Act 2019-359 became effective September 1, 2019, allowing a permanently disabled voter to apply for a disabled voter absentee ballot. This application is required to be signed and notarized by the primary physician of the disabled voter.

These changes are reflected on the Secretary of State's web site and the Wilcox County Circuit Clerk's Office web site as well.