Vote!
How, When, WhereThe right to vote is a very precious one. Many sacrificed much to give us that right. Regardless of your race, ethnic origins, whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, conservative or liberal - make your voice heard at the ballot box. You do have the power to make a difference at the local, state, and national levels of government. Want to know when, where, and how to register to vote in the Greater Birmingham area? Here are some straight answers! If you don't see the answer to your question, contact the LWVGB (205 583-5000 or admin@lwvgb.org) or consult one of these resources:
County Election Officials
Alabama Votes - Registration and election information from Alabama Secretary of State
Vote 411 - nonpartisan election information from LWV for any state.
Click on a question to see the answer.
How do I know which are my districts - Birmingham City Council, Board of Education, Jefferson County Commission, State House, and State Senate?
Go here to find your Jefferson County Commission, State House or State Senate District. Enter your county, last name and date of birth and click "Search." On the resulting web page, scroll down to the bottom of the page to see your district list.
Your Birmingham Board of Education District is the same as your Birmingham City Council District. Use this chart to help find your district. If you are still uncertain, contact the Voter Registrar's office at 205 325-5550 for Jefferson Co. or 205-669-3913. Or see the Official Website for the City of Birmingham for much more information about your city.
Who is qualified to vote in Alabama?
A qualified voter is
- a U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age,
- a resident of Alabama (you may register the same day you move into the state.), and
- registered at a current home address.
You may not vote if you have been
When is the deadline to register to vote?
You must register to vote at least 14 days before an election. NOTE: For the Party Primary Elections on March 1, 2016, you must register to vote at least 17 days before the election (Feb. 12 if hand delivered, Feb. 13 postmarked if mailed USPS). This is because the usual deadline, Monday, Feb. 15, is Presidents' Day, a state and federal holiday.
Where can I register to vote?
You may pick up a voter registration form at any of the following locations. Fill it out and mail it to the Voter Registrar (instructions and mailing address are on the form):
- Jefferson County Courthouse
North Annex - Suite A410
716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p. m.
325-5550 - Bessemer Courthouse
1801 3rd Ave., N., Bessemer, 35020
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
481-4105 - Shelby County Court House
200 West College St., Columbiana, 35051
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
669-3913 - Department of Human Resources
- Food Stamp Offices
- Motor Vehicle Stations
- Military Recruiting Centers
- Most Libraries
- City Halls
- Other locations as announced
- Or, you may get a registration form on-line. Download a voter registration form [includes mailing addresses for all Boards of Registrars in AL
- Or as of Jan., 2016, you can register to vote directly on line using your computer or smart cell phone. More information coming soon.
Get Adobe Acrobat Reader to read and print this form.]
What must I present as acceptable ID at the polls in order to vote?
Beginning June 3, 2014 with the Party Primary Elections, you are required to present qualified, valid PHOTO identification at the polls in order to vote. Click here to find out what qualifies as valid photo ID and for complete information on Alabama's Voter Identification law. Or download the Alabama Photo Voter ID Guide.
I've just moved. Do I have to re-register?
Yes, you must update your residency information with the Board of Registrars of your county. Your polling place may change even though you remain in the same county. You will need to (re-)register no less than 14 days before election day with your new residency information.
NOTE: For the Party Primary Elections on March 1, 2016, you must register to vote at least 17 days before the election (Feb. 12 if hand delivered, Feb. 13 postmarked if mailed USPS). This is because the usual deadline, Monday, Feb. 15, is Presidents' Day, a state and federal holiday.
What information do I need when I register?
You must provide your
- The last 4 digits of your Social Security number OR your AL Drivers License number, (NOTE: You are not required to physically show your SS card or drivers license to the person registering you to vote.)
- date of birth,
- legal residential address (not P.O. Box), and
- a phone number where you can be reached
Do I have to declare membership in a political party when I register?
You will not be asked to declare a party preference when you register to vote in Alabama. However, in Primary Elections, you will be asked which party's ballot you would like to have.
Can I use my computer to register?
UPDATE: As of January, 2016, you can now register to vote directly from your computer or smart cell phone. That web address will be published here soon.
If you would rather register by mail, you can download a registration form, fill it out, and mail it. Remember, your registration form must be received by your county registrar or by the AL Secretary of State at least 14 days before the election. (Note for the Party Primary Elections on March 1, 2016: The deadline is earlier than usual because Monday, February 15 is President's Day - a state and federal holiday. So, If you are mailing your registration form, the deadline to postmark is Saturday, February 13, 2016. Or if you are hand-delivering your registration form to your county Board of Registrars, delivery deadline is Friday, February 12.
Download a voter registration form
includes mailing addresses for all Boards of Registrars in AL
Get Adobe Acrobat Reader to read and print this form. .
How do I find out where to go to vote? Where is my polling place?
When you register to vote in Alabama or when you change your registration address, you should receive a notice within 10-14 days from the Board of Registrar's office notifying you of your voting location, legislative districts, county commission district, etc. If you do not have this card, contact one of these:
* Visit this website of the AL Secretary of State https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/
* Call your Jefferson Co. Registrar's office at 205 325-5550 if you live anywhere in Jefferson Co. other than Bessemer, or
* Call 205 481-4105 if you live in the Bessemer cut-off.
* Call the Shelby Co. Board of Registrars office at 205 669-3913 If you live in Shelby County.
You are not required to show this card when voting, but it is proof that you are registered. You will have to show a valid acceptable photo ID when voting.
What should I take to the polls? Am I required to bring identification?
Take qualified, valid acceptable PHOTO identification with you every time you go to vote. Although a current, valid driver's license is a good ID to use, you do not have to have a photo ID. There are many accepted forms of identification. See the AL Secretary of State's list of accepted voter ID. [NOTE: A law passed in the 2011 General Session of the Alabama Legislature requires photo identification beginning in 2014. This law is NOW IN EFFECT.]
I will be out of town on election day. Can I still vote?
Yes, if you are going to be out of town on election day, you can vote by absentee ballot (Download a request form here). The following instructions are for those voters who live in Jefferson Co., including Birmingham, Bessemer, or any other area, incorpoated (city) or unincorporated of Jefferson Co.. (Do you live outside of Jefferson Co.? Call your local Board of Registrars or Circuit Clerk. For example, call the Shelby Co. Board of Registrars at 205 669-3915 or the Shelby Co. Circuit Clerk at 205 669-3760.)
To vote by absentee ballot:Apply to your Circuit Clerk in writing at least five days before the election date to request that an absentee ballot be sent to you by mail. Return your ballot in person or by mail to your Circuit Clerk. It must be postmarked or hand-delivered (by the voter him- or herself no later than 1 day before the election day. If you have a medical emergency (requires a doctor's certification) or a business emergency, you may apply for an absentee ballot no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday before the Tuesday election day.
If you live in Jefferson Co. in any area other than the Bessemer Cutoff, request your absentee ballot from and return to:
Circuit Clerk Anne-Marie Adams
716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd
Birmingham, Alabama 35203-0001
For information, call 205- 325-5360.
If you live in the Bessemer Cutoff area, request your absentee ballot from and return to:
Circuit Clerk Earl Carter
606 Bessemer Courthouse Annex
Bessemer, AL 35020
For information, call 481-4165.
How do I get my voting rights restored?
You still haven't answered my questions about registration and voting. Whom can I ask?
Call your local Registrar's office for answers to your questions regarding voter registration and polling place.
- Birmingham 205 325-5550 (all of Jefferson County except the Bessemer Cutoff)
- Bessemer Cutoff 205 481-4105
If you have questions regarding an absentee ballot or on-site voting, call your County Circuit Clerk's office:
- Birmingham 205 325-5355 (all of Jefferson County except the Bessemer Cutoff)
- Bessemer Cutoff - 205 481-4165
If you have questions regarding an absentee ballot or on-site voting in a Birmingham city race, call the Birmingham City Clerk's office at 254-2290.
To find election officers in other Alabama counties, see these lists published by the AL Secretary of State.
Or you can contact the Elections Division of the AL Secretary of State:
Voice: 334-242-7210
Toll Free: 1-800-274-8683
Fax: 334-242-2444
Physical Address
600 Dexter Ave, Suite E-208
Montgomery, AL 36130
Mailing Address
PO Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616
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