Voting Access Scorecard - Alabama
The Franchise Project’s Voting Access Scorecard ranks how accessible voting is in Alabama. The Voting Access Scorecard measures the accessibility of American elections by analyzing state election laws and practices. Each state’s performance is based on 30 measurable metrics shown to affect accessibility and foster participation. All metrics are weighted equally to fairly assess all states and their practices. If answered in the affirmative, each metric is worth 1 point, for a total of 30 points. Note that if a practice varies by county or municipality, e.g. the number of early voting locations in Wisconsin, the state only received 0.5 points for that metric. Note: Y=Yes, N=No, and V=Varies by Municipality/County.
Currently, Alabama ranks 50. But you can make a difference! Take action now!Overall score: 8 / 30
Y=Yes, N=No, V=Varies by County/Municipality
| State registration deadline is the Friday before Election Day or later Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/olvr/default.aspx | N |
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| State offers Election Day registration Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/olvr/default.aspx | N |
| State has automatic registration Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/election-laws | N |
| State does NOT create barriers to voter registration by third parties (e.g. allows third party registration, does not require registration drive training or notification) Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/election-laws | Y |
| State does NOT impose fines or criminal penalties for negligent/accidential voter registration mistakes Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/election-laws | Y |
| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting in multiple locations per municipality/county Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx?m=voters | N |
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| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting during evenings and/or weekends Alabama Secretary of State: www.alabamavotes.gov/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx?m=voters | N |
| State allows no-excuse early voting/in-person absentee voting Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx?m=voters | N |
| State holds all elections entirely by mail Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx?m=voters | N |
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| State does NOT require an excuse to vote by mail Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx?m=voters | N |
| State deadline to return absentee ballot is NO earlier than Election Day (via any type of delivery) If hand-delivered by the voter, the ballot must be received by the close of business on the day prior to the election. If mailed, the absentee ballot must be postmarked the day prior to the election and received by noon on Election Day. AL Code § 17-11-18: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/17-11-18.htm | N |
| State allows all voters to sign up to vote by absentee permanently Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/absentee-voting | N |
| State allows voters to request vote by mail ballot online Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx?m=voters | N |
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| State allows voters to register online Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/olvr/default.aspx | Y |
| State allows voters to check their Election Day polling location online Alabama Secretary of State: https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/VoterView/PollingPlaceSearch.do | Y |
| State allows voters to check their vote by mail status online Alabama Secretary of State: https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/VoterView/AbsenteeBallotSearch.do | Y |
| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote on Election Day Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/voter-id | N |
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| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote early or by mail Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/voter-id | N |
| If ID required, State allows voter to vote through alternative process that does not require voter action (Note: full points received if no ID required at all) A voter who does not have a valid photo ID in his or her possession at the polls shall be permitted to vote if the individual is positively identified by two election officials as a voter on the poll list who is eligible to vote and the election officials sign a sworn affidavit so stating. Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/voter-id | Y |
| During voter maintenance process, if address has not changed, state allows voter to simply mail back confirmation form Must provide evidence of "qualifications to remain a qualified voter at the residential address as recorded." AL Code § 17-4-6.1(c): http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/17-4-6.1.htm Many must "reidentify" in person. AL Code § 17-4-8: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/17-4-8.htm | N |
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| State is NOT a member of Interstate Crosscheck Bryan Caskey, Kansas Secretary of State, Director of Elections (email communication, May 24, 2023) | N |
| State is Member of ERIC ERIC, http://www.ericstates.org/whowear John Lindback, ERIC Executive Director (email communication, May 25, 2023) | Y |
| State refused to comply with the Pence-Kobach voter registration data request Alabama Secretary of State: http://sos.alabama.gov/newsroom/secretary-merrill-responds-questions-about-letter-presidential-advisory-commission | N |
| State allows individuals to vote when their sentence is complete Permanent disenfranchisement for at least some criminal convictions unless the Governor or a court approves an individual's request for restoration of rights. Ala. Const. art. VIII, § 177: http://codes.findlaw.com/al/alabama-constitution-of-1901/al-const-art-viii-sect-177.html | N |
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| State allows individuals to vote during their term of incarceration Ala. Const. art. VIII, § 177: http://codes.findlaw.com/al/alabama-constitution-of-1901/al-const-art-viii-sect-177.html | N |
| State allows individuals to vote after incarceration, while on probation or parole Ala. Const. art. VIII, § 177: http://codes.findlaw.com/al/alabama-constitution-of-1901/al-const-art-viii-sect-177.html | N |
| State voting technology requires a paper trail Alabama has not established a statutory requirement for permanent voter verifiable ballot or record. Alabama Secretary of State: http://www.alabamavotes.gov/electionLaw.aspx?sm=voters | N |
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| State requires poll worker training Training is only required if machines are used. AL Code §17-8-9(b): http://www.alabamavotes.gov/electionlaw-details.aspx?sm=voters&cs;=http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/17-8-9.htm | N |
| State law requires voting machines to meet federal standards, testing by a federally accredited laboratory, or federal certification AL Code § 17-7-23: http://www.alabamavotes.gov/electionlaw-details.aspx?sm=voters&cs;=http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/17-7-23.htm | Y |
| State provides readily accessible voting technology information Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/ | N |
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