With public buildings facing the possibility of remaining closed ahead of the July 14 primary runoff, many would-be voters reluctant to show up at a polling place in person now have an option for casting their ballot ahead of time — by mail.

The Alabama Secretary of State’s office has opened an absentee voting provision, one normally reserved for those with a mobility-limiting illness, to apply to any eligible voter who wishes to avoid the crowds at their polling place during coronavirus pandemic precautions.

In order to start the process, local voters can contact the Cullman County Circuit Clerk’s Office at 256-775-4654 and request an absentee application, which will then be sent to their home address by mail. They can also make the same request via the Alabama Secretary of State’s website, though requesting a ballot from the local circuit clerk’s office eliminates an additional step in the process and assures a faster response. 

Circuit Clerk Lisa McSwain said Wednesday that her office hasn’t yet seen a significant uptick in the number of absentee voting requests ahead of the July 14 election, though she expects that to change as voters get a better sense of how long the state’s social distancing guidelines will last, heading into the summer.

“We actually had more [absentee] traffic during the March primary, at least so far,” said McSwain. “I think that people are just waiting to see what happens with the pandemic, since the election has been extended to July.  

“But I would encourage anyone who believes they want to vote absentee to go ahead and start the process by requesting an application. We want to make sure that everyone’s vote counts, regardless of whether there are extenuating circumstances that might affect people’s willingness to interact in public.” 

The July 14 runoff will mark a choice between Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville in the U.S. Republican Senate race, and, locally, between Kenneth Walker and Jeff “Clem” Clemons for the chair of the Cullman County Commission.

Once voters have received an absentee application, there’s a two-question section near the top of the page that offers two options for applicants to mark. The one to pick, according to the secretary of state’s office, is the box alongside the text that reads “I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”

Completed absentee applications can be returned by mail ahead of the Thursday, July 9 submission deadline, allowing time for voters to receive their actual ballots by mail. The deadline to return completed absentee ballots postmarked by mail is Monday, July 13.

Voters who are eligible to vote pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act will have until Tuesday, July 14 to postmark an absentee ballot.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 234.