Newsroom

Secretary of State Wes Allen Encourages Alabama Voters to Utilize AlabamaVotes.gov to Prepare for the General Election

laney.kelley — 2024-10-28T13:29:16+0000

Wes Allen, Alabama’s Secretary of State, is encouraging Alabama voters to visit Alabama’s trusted source for election information, AlabamaVotes.gov, before heading to the polls on November 5.

“AlabamaVotes.gov makes several important tools available to Alabama’s voters. Before heading to the polls on November 5, I would encourage all Alabama voters to visit our website and verify their voter registration status and polling location.” Allen said. “Our website also provides those who voted absentee the ability to track their absentee ballot. You can also view the sample ballot for your county and read up on Alabama’s photo ID requirements for voting on our website.”

On election day, polls will be open 7 am to 7 pm. Voters are required to present a valid form of photo identification when voting at their polling place or by absentee ballot. Cumulative election results will be posted on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website at www.AlabamaVotes.gov.

AlabamaVotes.gov is the trusted, secure source for Alabama election information.

Wes Allen is Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is Alabama’s Chief Elections Official. Additionally, Alabama law gives the Secretary of State more than 1,000 different duties. To learn more about the Secretary of State and his responsibilities and duties visit www.sos.alabama.gov .

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s headshot: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg

Secretary of State Wes Allen Reminds Alabamians that Today is the Last Day to Register to Vote before the General Election

laney.kelley — 2024-10-21T14:52:06+0000

Secretary of State Wes Allen wants to remind eligible Alabama citizens that today, October 21, 2024, is the deadline to register to vote before the November 5, 2024 General Election.

Electronic voter registration may be completed up until 11:59 PM today by visiting https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration/voterRegistrationWelcome.action.

A paper voter registration form may be delivered in person to your local Board of Registrars by the end of business today. Voter registration forms that are being mailed in must be postmarked by today.

To be eligible to vote in Alabama, one must be a citizen of the United States, reside in Alabama, and be 18 years old on or before election day. One must not be barred from voting due to a disqualifying felony conviction or have been judged “mentally incompetent” by a court of law.

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s headshot: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg

*County Boards of Registrars contact information: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/board-of registrars-all-counties

*2024 Election Administration Calendar: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election 2024/2024AdminCalendar.pdf

*Disqualifying felony convictions: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/voter pdfs/Updated%20Version%20of%20Moral%20Turpitude%20Crimes.pdf

Federal Court Ordered Press Release

laney.kelley — 2024-10-18T15:40:55+0000

The information contained the Secretary of State’s August 13, 2024 press release has been superseded by federal court order, entered October 16, 2024, and expiring November 6, 2024.

The preliminary injunction order is available here: /sites/default/files/press/Preliminary%20Injuction%20Order%2010.16.24.pdf.

Template copies of remedial mailings are available here: /sites/default/files/press/Remedial%20Mailings%20Pursuant%20to%2010.16.24%20Federal%20Court%20Order.pdf.

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Secretary of State Wes Allen Reminds Alabamians to Register to Vote before the General Election

laney.kelley — 2024-10-07T12:48:15+0000

Secretary of State Wes Allen wants to remind Alabama citizens that the deadline to register to vote before the November 5, 2024 General Election is Monday, October 21, 2024.

“The right of eligible United States citizens to cast a ballot in a fair and secure election is one of the hallmarks of our constitutional republic,” Allen said. “I encourage all eligible Alabama citizens to register to vote and make plans to head to the polls on November 5.”

Electronic voter registration may be completed by visiting https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/register-to-vote . A paper voter registration form may be delivered in person or by mail to your local Board of Registrars.

Sample ballots for the 2024 General Election are available here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/2024-general-election-sample-ballots.

For questions about registering to vote in Alabama, please call the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s office at 334-242-7210 or your local county Board of Registrars.

Secretary Allen extends his gratitude to local election officials for their hard work preparing for a fair, secure, and transparent 2024 General Election.

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s headshot: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg

*County Boards of Registrars contact information: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/board-of registrars-all-counties

*2024 Election Administration Calendar: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election 2024/2024AdminCalendar.pdf

*Disqualifying felony convictions: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/voter pdfs/Updated%20Version%20of%20Moral%20Turpitude%20Crimes.pdf

*Learn more about photo voter ID requirements or get your free photo voter ID:

https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/photo-voter-id

Secretary of State Wes Allen Signs Agreement Making Kentucky the Seventh State to Partner in the Alabama Voter Integrity Database

laney.kelley — 2024-09-30T13:27:45+0000

Wes Allen, Alabama’s Secretary of State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kentucky’s State Board of Elections to compare the states’ voter files, making Kentucky the seventh state to partner with Alabama as part of the Alabama Voter Integrity Database (AVID).

“Adding Kentucky as the seventh state in the AVID program is a great accomplishment. This MOU will secure powerful results for Alabamians and Kentuckians alike, and I am proud to partner with Kentucky to achieve cleaner and more accurate voter files in our States.”

AVID is the Alabama-based solution to replace the Electronic Registration Information Center, a private third-party organization. The four prongs of AVID include a cooperative agreement with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, use of the USPS National Change of Address File, federal social security death information, and cooperative agreements with other states to cross-check voter files and identify individuals registered to vote in multiple states.

“On the campaign trail, I promised that my first official act as Secretary of State would be withdrawing Alabama from ERIC, and I did just that. My team and I have worked incredibly hard to develop and implement an Alabama-based solution that delivers the cleanest and most accurate voter file in the country.” Allen explained.

Secretary Allen thanks his staff, along with those at the Kentucky State Board of Elections for their work preparing this MOU.

“I want to thank my team here in Alabama and the team at the Kentucky State Board of Elections who worked incredibly hard on this MOU. Their efforts will further our goal of ensuring elections are fair, secure, and transparent,” Allen said. “Through AVID, thousands of potentially ineligible voters have been identified, and I look forward to seeing the progress we will make as a result of this MOU.”

Alabama has entered into MOUs with all four of its border states, Arkansas, and Louisiana. View the signed MOUs here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/avid/mou-agreements.

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s official photograph: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg

*Read more about AVID here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/avid.

Secretary of State Wes Allen Announces Release of November 5 General Election Sample Ballots

laney.kelley — 2024-09-23T13:09:35+0000

Secretary of State Wes Allen is making Alabamians aware that the sample ballots for the November 5, 2024 General Election are now available on the Secretary of State’s website: www.AlabamaVotes.gov.

“Sample ballots for all 67 counties have been made publicly available on our website, www.AlabamaVotes.gov. I would encourage all Alabamians to review these sample ballots as they get ready to head to the polls on November 5.” Allen said.

The Secretary of State’s website has several features for Alabamians to use as we head into the November 5, 2024 Presidential Election.

“At www.AlabamaVotes.gov, Alabamians can register to vote with a valid Alabama driver license, verify their voter registration status, check their polling location, and track their absentee ballot,” Allen explained. “My team and I work very hard to ensure that our website is a functional tool for all Alabamians to utilize as they prepare to go vote on November 5.”

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters are required to present a valid form of photo identification before casting a ballot.

Secretary Allen extends his thanks to the county election officials for their work preparing and approving these sample ballots.

“As a former probate judge, I know firsthand how much preparation goes into running a fair, secure, and transparent election. I want to thank the county probate judges and election officials for working hard to create and review sample ballots for their counties, so that Alabama voters can be informed and prepared for Election Day,” Allen said.

View the sample ballots here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/2024-general-election-sample-ballots.

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s official photograph: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg

Secretary of State Wes Allen Encourages Alabamians to Serve as Poll Workers for the November 5 General Election

laney.kelley — 2024-09-17T15:51:18+0000

Wes Allen, Alabama’s Secretary of State, is encouraging qualified Alabamians to serve as poll workers for the November 5, 2024 General Election.

“Poll workers are essential members of the election administration team. They work hard from sun up to sun down on Election Day ensuring our elections run smoothly and efficiently. Serving as a poll worker is a great way to get involved in the elections process, and I would encourage any eligible Alabama voter interested in participating to reach out to my Office or their local probate judge to learn more,” said Secretary Allen.

Alabama poll workers must be registered voters in the county where they wish to serve as a poll worker. Poll workers are appointed by an appointing board consisting of their county probate judge, sheriff, and circuit clerk. They must also attend training administered by their county probate judge prior to each election.

Qualified individuals can apply to be a poll worker by filling out this form: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/PollWorkerApplication.pdf.

Secretary Allen has provided counties with two poll worker recruitment tools: Lawyers for Liberty and Heroes at the Polls. These programs aim to recruit uniquely qualified individuals, Alabama attorneys and veterans, to serve as poll workers in their counties.

“As a former probate judge, I know firsthand how vital poll workers are to election administration, and I understand the struggle that can sometimes come with recruiting poll workers,” explained Secretary Allen. “As Secretary of State, I will always support our hardworking election officials across the state and work to ensure they have everything they need to administer the most secure elections in the country.”

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s headshot: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg

*Lawyers for Liberty Press Release: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/newsroom/alabama-secretary-state-and-alabama-state-bar-partner-implement-new-mcle-opportunity

*Heroes at the Polls Press Release: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/newsroom/alabama-secretary-state-wes-allen-launches-heroes-polls

Secretary of State Wes Allen Reminds Alabamians of Important Absentee Voting Deadlines for November 5, 2024 General Election

laney.kelley — 2024-09-09T13:21:15+0000

Secretary of State Wes Allen wants to remind Alabama voters that county absentee election managers must receive mail-in absentee ballot applications by Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The deadline to return an absentee ballot application in person is Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Absentee ballots being returned in-person must be received by the county absentee election manager by close of business on the day before the election- November 4, 2024. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be received no later than noon on Election Day- November 5, 2024.

“Absentee voting is a vital component of the election process. That is why I advocated for legislation like SB1, which provides Alabama voters with strong protection against activists who profit from the absentee elections process,” said Secretary Allen.

The United States Postal Service has recently announced a change in mail delivery times: https://www.al.com/news/2024/08/post-office-makes-major-announcement-about-mail-delivery-change.html. It is recommended to mail in your absentee ballot application and absentee ballots at least two weeks before the deadline for county Absentee Election Managers to receive them.

Voters are required to present a valid form of photo identification before voting at their polling place or by absentee ballot.

For more information on absentee voting in Alabama or to request an absentee ballot application visit www.AlabamaVotes.gov .

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s headshot: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg

*County Absentee Election Manager contact information: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/city -county lookup/absentee -election -manager

*2024 Election Administration Calendar: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election 2024/2024AdminCalendar.pdf

*Learn more about photo voter ID requirements or get your free photo voter ID: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama -votes/photo -voter -id

Secretary of State Wes Allen's Statement on Undocumented Individual Charged in Connection with Voting Fraud and Passport Fraud in Alabama

laney.kelley — 2024-09-05T20:25:18+0000

"I have been very clear that a top priority of this Office is ensuring only eligible American citizens are voting in Alabama elections. I want to thank the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Alabama for their diligent efforts investigating and charging this individual. We will continue to assist law enforcement in every way possible as they prosecute individuals who vote illegally in Alabama elections to the fullest extent of the law." -Secretary of State Wes Allen

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/undocumented-individual-charged-connection-voting-fraud-and-passport-fraud?fbclid=IwY2xjawFG7fxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfXV8E5y7yYvCB_iXotfWADp_5OwszoBNyek5cZxVQYn0CjTT3DYRz8uQg_aem_BKHYfQKxTpAA2dSTZarcmQ

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Secretary of State Wes Allen Implements Process to Remove Noncitizens Registered to Vote in Alabama

laney.kelley — 2024-08-13T16:17:09+0000

The information contained in this press release has been superseded by federal court order, entered October 16, 2024, and expiring November 6, 2024.

After being sworn into office on January 16, 2023, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen immediately initiated strategic efforts to ensure that Alabama has the cleanest and most accurate voter file in the country. As part of this effort, Secretary Allen has identified 3,251 individuals who are registered to vote in Alabama who have been issued noncitizen identification numbers by the Department of Homeland Security. The Secretary announced today that he is instructing the Boards of Registrars in all 67 counties to immediately inactivate and initiate steps necessary to remove all individuals who are not United States Citizens.

“I have been clear that I will not tolerate the participation of noncitizens in our elections,” Allen said. “I have even gone so far as to testify before a United States Senate Committee regarding the importance of this issue. We have examined the current voter file in an attempt to identify anyone who appears on that list that has been issued a noncitizen identification number.”

Repeated requests to the United States Federal Government to assist Allen’s efforts by providing a list of noncitizens currently residing in Alabama have been declined. This lack of cooperation led Allen to approach the issue in a different way.

Allen says it is possible that some of the individuals who were issued noncitizen identification numbers have, since receiving them, become naturalized citizens and are, therefore, eligible to vote. The process initiated by the Secretary of State’s Office will allow those naturalized citizens to update their information on a State of Alabama Voter Registration Form and, once verified, vote in the state’s elections.

Allen has also provided the list of registered voters identified as having been issued a noncitizen identification number to the Office of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for further investigation and possible criminal prosecution.

“This is not a one-time review of our voter file. We will continue to conduct such reviews to do everything possible to make sure that everyone on our file is an eligible voter,” Allen said. “I am hopeful that in the near future the federal government will change course and be helpful to states as we work to protect our elections.”

Wes Allen is Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is Alabama’s Chief Elections Official. Additionally, Alabama law gives the Secretary of State more than 1,000 different duties. To learn more about the Secretary of State and his responsibilities and duties visit www.sos.alabama.gov .

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*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s official photograph: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg