Deadlines for Nov. 4 election approaching

By Greg Phillips

Published: October 2, 2008

If you’re planning to register to vote for this year’s presidential election, time is slipping away.

The deadline to register is Oct. 24, but those wishing to use absentee ballots have a few more dates to remember.

Residents who will be out of the county or state where they’re registered, suffer physical illness, work hours that coincide with the polls’ hours, attend educational institutions outside the county of their personal residences, are members, spouses or dependents of the armed forces or have been appointed as election officers can use absentee ballots to vote in the Nov. 4 election.

“We’re pushing for them to do this as early as possible in case something goes wrong,” said Carla Woodall, absentee election manager for Houston County.

Voters can get their absentee applications in a few different ways.

“They can go on the Internet and download an application at alabamavotes.gov, a Web site the secretary of state set up to help voters, or they can contact my office, which is at room 405 at the Houston County Courthouse, and pick up an application. They can vote on the spot or call the office at 671-8700, and we can mail them an application,” Woodall said. “After that, they would mail the applications back to us at Post Office Drawer 6406, Dothan, Alabama 36302.

From there, we process the applications, then send out ballots.”

Once a voter has requested an absentee ballot, his or her name is stricken from the roster at the polls, according to Woodall.
Those using absentee ballots need to keep a few things in mind.
“The main things to remember, and I stress this, their address on the application must match the address where they’re registered to vote. They need to fill out the rest of the identifying information and make sure they mark why they have to vote absentee, then sign the application,” Woodall said.
If you’re unsure where you’re registered, Woodall suggested contacting your local board of registrars.