Honestly, if you're looking for a simple date for when "early voting" kicks off in Alabama, I've got some news that might be a bit of a letdown.
You see, for the longest time, Alabama was one of the few holdouts in the country that didn't have true, no-excuse early voting. While neighbors like Georgia and Florida were opening up the polls weeks in advance, Alabama voters were stuck with either showing up on Tuesday or navigating a pretty strict absentee ballot process.
But things are finally shifting.
When Does Early Voting Start in Alabama? The 2026 Shift
If you are gearing up for the November 3, 2026, General Election, you should know that the rules are actually changing. Thanks to legislative updates (specifically AL HB71), Alabama is finally rolling out an in-person early voting system.
For the 2026 General Election, the early voting period is scheduled to begin on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
This period runs through the Thursday before the election, which would be October 29, 2026.
It’s a big deal. Basically, for the first time, qualified voters can walk into an early voting center and cast a ballot in person without needing a specific excuse—no medical notes or "I'll be out of town" justifications required.
Why the confusion?
Most people get this wrong because, for decades, "early voting" in Alabama just meant "absentee voting." You had to have a reason. You had to have a witness or a notary. It was a whole thing.
If you're voting in the 2026 Primary Election on May 19, the rules are a bit different. The new "no-excuse" in-person early voting centers are primarily aimed at the General Election cycle. For primaries, you’re still largely looking at the traditional absentee process.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
Let's break down how this actually looks on the ground because it's not just about the date. It's about how you actually get your hands on a ballot.
In-Person Early Voting (Starting 2026 General)
- Starts: October 17, 2026.
- Ends: October 29, 2026.
- Where: Each county has to have at least one center per 100,000 residents. Usually, these are in courthouses or government buildings.
- Hours: At least eight continuous hours. They even have to stay open until 8:00 p.m. on at least two weekdays and offer Saturday hours from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Absentee Voting (The "Traditional" Early Way)
If you can't wait for the new centers or you're voting in a primary, you're still using the absentee system.
- Apply for the ballot: For the May Primary, the deadline to apply by mail is May 12, 2024. In person? May 14.
- The "Excuse": You still need to check a box. Common ones include being out of the county on election day, having a physical disability, or working a shift that overlaps with the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. poll hours.
- The Notary/Witness: Alabama is strict. Your absentee ballot must be signed by either two witnesses (18+) or a notary public. Don't skip this. Your vote won't count without it.
Key Dates You Can't Afford to Miss
Calendars get messy, so let's keep this simple. If you want to make sure your voice is heard in 2026, mark these down.
For the Primary Election (May 19, 2026):
- Voter Registration Deadline: May 4.
- Last day to apply for absentee (mail): May 12.
- Last day to apply for absentee (in-person): May 14.
- Election Day: May 19.
For the General Election (November 3, 2026):
- Voter Registration Deadline: October 19.
- Early Voting Period (New!): October 17 through October 29.
- Last day to apply for absentee (mail): October 27.
- Last day to apply for absentee (in-person): October 29.
- Election Day: November 3.
What Most People Forget
Identity. You can't just show up and say your name.
Alabama requires a valid photo ID. Most people use their driver's license, but a passport, military ID, or a tribal ID works too. If you don't have one, you can actually get a free Alabama Photo Voter ID card from the Secretary of State’s office or your local Board of Registrars.
Also, keep in mind that Alabama doesn't have "drop boxes." Those things you see in other states where you just slide your ballot into a metal box on the sidewalk? Not here. You either mail your absentee ballot back or hand-deliver it to the Absentee Election Manager.
Practical Steps to Get Ready
Don't wait until the week of the election to figure this out. The systems are changing, and there’s always a bit of a learning curve when a state rolls out a new way to vote.
First, check your registration status. You can do this on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. If you’ve moved recently—even just across town—you need to update your address.
Second, decide your method. Are you going to be a "Tuesday Traditionalist" and go to your local precinct on November 3? Or are you going to take advantage of the new early voting centers in October? If you choose the latter, look up your county's specific early voting location about a month before the election. They won't all be at your regular polling place.
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Third, set a reminder for the registration deadline. In Alabama, if you aren't registered 15 days before the election, you’re sitting this one out. No same-day registration here.
Getting your plan together now means you won't be the person frantically googling "where to vote" at 6:45 p.m. on a Tuesday night. With the new 2026 rules, you've got more options than ever—just make sure you use them.
Next Step: Head over to the Alabama Secretary of State's "Alabama Votes" portal to verify that your current address and photo ID information are up to date before the May Primary.