Key deadlines approaching for primary elections

WINSTON COUNTY - Although the Republican and Democratic primary elections for Winston County are still a few weeks away, some key deadlines are being emphasized for voters who plan to be at the polls on Tuesday, May 19, and/or those who will vote absentee.
The primary election will contain county, state and federal offices on the ballot, including such key races as sheriff, District 2 county commissioner, governor, lieutenant governor, state senators, representatives and various other state and federal offices. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 
The first day someone who will not be able to vote in person on May 19, could vote absentee was March 25.  The deadline to submit by mail an application to vote absentee is Monday, May 11, Winston County Elections Manager Sheila Moore stressed.
There are other important procedures that must be followed in order to vote absentee, Moore emphasized. Those voting absentee need to go on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website, sos.alabama.gov, click on the Voting in Alabama tab, click on Absentee Voting, then the absentee ballot application for Winston County.
From there, the PDF form for absentee voting can be printed and completed, Moore said.  The same process applies for Marion County, whose absentee ballot application is also on the website.
Those casting an absentee ballot in person need to go to the Winston County Commission office in the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs, and see Absentee Elections Manager Dallas Baldwin or call her at (205) 489-5026.
“They can come in and vote in person, not by mail, up to May 14,” Moore pointed out. “If you’ve got your application already filled out, you will have to turn it in by hand on May 14, as well.”
A person turning in a completed absentee ballot by hand or in person, must  be the actual voter, and do so by 4:30 p.m. no later than May 18, Moore continued.
“You can’t turn it in for somebody else,” Moore stated. 
Completed absentee ballots that are mailed, must  be at the post office in Double Springs, at the absentee election manager’s post office box, no later than 12 p.m. on election day, May 19, Moore explained.
If a person has applied for an absentee ballot and did not place their completed ballot in the mail for the 12 p.m. May 19 deadline, they will be required to vote a provisional ballot, if they go to the polls, according to Moore.
“If they voted (absentee) and just didn’t get it put back in the mail, they can either bring it over here before noon in the post office box of the absentee election manager (in Double Springs), or they will have to vote a provisional ballot.
All provisional ballots voted on election day will be determined by the board of registrars if the ballot can be counted by the canvassing board or not.  The deadline for this work to be completed will be May 26.
“If you are a poll worker and not working in your precinct, it would be best for you to apply and vote an absentee ballot.  That way, you won’t have to leave your polling location you are working at and drive to your location and vote,” Moore continued.
When a person goes to the polls on election day, he or she must show a valid photo identification, or a valid voter registration card with a photo ID (obtained at the board of registrars office) to the poll worker before they can receive a ballot, Moore said.
“You can use anything with a valid photo identification with a valid expiration date on it,” she said. “It cannot be expired.”
If a voter goes to the polls without any form of valid photo ID, at least two polling officials at that location can verify the identity of the voter and must fill out a form, stating they confirm the identify of the voter, Moore said.
“If two people cannot verify and fill that form out, you cannot vote,” Moore emphasized. “You can vote a provisional ballot, but you cannot vote a regular ballot.”
Also, a voter must notify the poll worker whether or not he or she will be voting on the Republican or Democrat ballot because these are Democrat and Republican primaries.
“If you go back and vote in a primary run-off, whatever you voted in the primary is what you will have to vote in the run-off,” Moore said. “That is by law.”
However, voters can vote for candidates in either party in the November general election because offices from both parties will be on one ballot, Moore noted.

Voter registration, updating
 information 
deadlines

The last day a person can register to vote, change his or her address or any information on their voter registration at the board of registrars office is 4:30 p.m. on May 4, for the primary election, Moore emphasized. 
These changes can be made in person at the Winston County Board of Registrars office or  online at the secretary of state’s website, Moore further instructed.
“They have to fill out that update form,” Moore added. 

Voters encouraged to turn out May 19
 
Moore emphasized that all votes count and that everyone has a right to vote.
“Our founding fathers, our military, has given us that freedom where we can have a voice, no matter what party you are voting for or what candidate you want to vote for,” said Moore.

Winston County polling sites

Winston County polling sites and precincts for the May 19 primary include Precinct 1: Haleyville Senior Center;  2: Neighborhood Facilities Building, Haleyville;  3: Delmar Fire Station; 4: Natural Bridge Community Center;  5: Lynn Community Center; 6: Pebble Community Center; 7: Waldrop Free Will Baptist Church, Needmore; 8: Ashridge Fire Station; 9: Double Springs Municipal Building; 10: Old Union Church, Nauvoo; 11: Moreland Fire Station; 12: Houston Memorial United Methodist Church; 13: Black Pond Fire Station;  14: Upshaw Fire Station, Addison; 15: Addison Community Center; 16: Nesmith Church, Arley; 17: Helicon Fire Station and 18: Arley Fire Station.

Run-off election

If necessary, the primary run-off election(s) will be Tuesday, June 16, according to Moore.
“If you applied for an absentee ballot in the primary, you will automatically receive an absentee ballot, if it was marked for you to get one, for the run-off,” Moore explained.