Circuit clerk urges absentee voters to get applications in

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Filling out absentee ballots and applications incorrectly could leave you without a voice in the general election.

“Although the drive is two hours away, which isn’t that difficult, it’s on a Tuesday that I’d have to vote, and I have classes going on,” explained Robert Suter, student at Auburn University.

Suter says he is voting by absentee ballot because he won’t have time to drive home. “Yeah- it’s really been a very easy process. And although the deadline is in just a couple of weeks, I’m able to really get the ball moving,” he said.

And Gina Ishman, Circuit Clerk for Montgomery County, is urging voters to do just that. She said to get your application in now and include a copy of your ID. Ishman said mailing dates have been delayed by a few days.

“I urge you to, you know, seven days before October 29, maybe go ahead and have that application in the mail to ensure that it reaches us on time, so that we can mail you your absentee ballot,” explained Ishman.

Once you get that ballot in return, Ishman said your vote won’t count without submitting the affidavit included in the packet.

“Just like going to the polls, you can’t put your ballot in the tabulator and say ‘oh, can I get it back?'” remarked Ishman. “You know, once you’ve turned it in you have to cast your vote. But if you did not complete the affidavit correctly or mis-sign it or miss getting it witnessed, then the poll worker will most likely reject that.”

Ishman also warned voters of the deadline on voting day. “We close our polls at 7:00, and turn our numbers over to the election center just like all other polling places,” remarked Ishman. “So your ballot has to get to us by November 5th, election day by 12:00 noon through a mail carrier.”

Ishman said you can also hand deliver that absentee ballot on Nov. 4, which is the day before election day by 5 p.m. with a valid ID.

You can print out your absentee ballot application and find out where to send it at alabamavotes.gov.

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