Absentee Voting

A voter may cast an absentee ballot if he or she:

  • Will be absent from the county on Election Day
  • Is ill or has a physical infirmity that prevents a trip to the polling place
  • Is physically incapacitated and will not be able to vote in person because they cannot access their assigned polling place due to one of the following disabilities: neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, or other life-altering disorder that affects his or her ability to perform manual tasks, stand for any length of time, walk unassisted, see, hear or speak, and A) he or she is an elderly voter aged 65 or older; or B) he or she is a voter with disability
  • Is a registered voter living outside the county, including but not limited to, a U.S. citizen residing overseas (or a spouse or dependent of such a person) or students at an educational institution located outside their county of residence
  • Is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a spouse of, or a dependent of, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a citizen living abroad or any other applicant qualified to vote pursuant to the Federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.S. 1973ff (UOCAVA) – more information on Military & Overseas voting/UOCAVA is available HERE.
  • Is an appointed election officer or poll watcher at a polling location other than his or her regular polling location.
  • Works a required shift which has at least 10 hours that coincide with polling hours
  • Is a caregiver for a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and the family member is confined to his or her home.

Application Deadline

Mailed applications requesting an absentee ballot must be submitted 7 days before the election (Tuesday of the week prior to the election) except in case of business or medical emergency (see “Business/Medical Emergency Voting” below). In-person applications requesting an absentee ballot must be submitted 5 days before the election (Thursday of the week prior to the election). Completed applications must be personally delivered by the applicant or sent through the U.S. Mail, or other recognized carrier, with only one per envelope. Please be sure to include a copy of your valid photo ID with your application.

Absentee Voting Deadline

An absentee ballot returned by mail must be received by the Absentee Office by noon on Election Day. See UOCAVA section for exceptions. If hand-delivered (by the voter), the ballot must be in the Absentee Office no later than 5 p.m. on the day prior to the election. The absentee ballot must be received by the Absentee Office by noon on Election Day if the ballot is mailed.

Absentee Office Location

Dekalb County Service Center
111 Grand Ave SW, Suite 105
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-8598