December 12 Has Finally Arrived: Alabama Voters Are Heading to the Polls
The long-anticipated Alabama special U.S. Senate run-off has arrived. Republican candidate Roy Moore and Democratic candidate Doug Jones head into the final lap. As the punditry winds down, so will the near-constant 24-hour news cycle surrounding Moore’s sexual misconduct scandal. We can all breathe a sigh of relief for that.
With little else to analyze at this late junction, we leave you with key facts, tidbits, and schedules going into the big day. It promises to be a historical one for Alabama voters.
Absentee Ballots, Locations, and Poll Times
| Absentee ballot deadline |
Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than December 11 and arrive by noon the next day. Hand-delivered absentee ballots must be handed in by December 11.
|
| Where is my county absentee election manager’s office? | A list of addresses for absentee election managers by county can be found on the Secretary of State’s web site. |
| Where are the polling locations? | A list of Alabama polling stations can be found here. |
| Poll open/close times | Polling hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
Polling Data – Real Clear Politics
| Poll | Date | Sample | MoE |
Moore (R)
|
Jones (D)
|
Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCP Average | 11/27 – 12/10 | — | — | 48.1 | 45.9 | Moore +2.2 |
| FOX News | 12/7 – 12/10 | 1127 LV | 3.0 | 40 | 50 | Jones +10 |
| Emerson | 12/7 – 12/9 | 600 LV | 3.9 | 53 | 44 | Moore +9 |
| Monmouth | 12/6 – 12/9 | 546 LV | 4.2 | 46 | 46 | Tie |
| Trafalgar Group (R) | 12/6 – 12/7 | 1419 LV | 2.6 | 51 | 46 | Moore +5 |
| Gravis | 12/5 – 12/8 | 1254 LV | 2.8 | 49 | 45 | Moore +4 |
| WBRC-TV/Strategy Research | 12/4 – 12/4 | 3200 LV | 2.0 | 50 | 43 | Moore +7 |
| CBS News/YouGov | 11/28 – 12/1 | 766 LV | 4.8 | 49 | 43 | Moore +6 |
| The Washington Post | 11/27 – 11/30 | 739 LV | 4.5 | 47 | 50 | Jones +3 |
(Source: “Alabama Senate Special Election – Moore vs. Jones,” RealClearPolitics, December 12, 2017.)
Valid ID at the Polls
Beginning with the June 3, 2014 primary election, Act 2011-673 requires an Alabama voter to have a specific type of photo identification at the polls in order to vote.
A voter can use any of the following forms of photo ID at the polls:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid Non-driver ID
- Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID
- Valid State Issued ID (Alabama or any other state)
- Valid Federal Issued ID
- Valid U.S. Passport
- Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County Government, Municipality, Board, Authority, or other entity of this state
- Valid student or employee ID from a college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)
- Valid Military ID
- Valid Tribal ID
(Source: Photo Voter ID, Alabama Secretary of State, last accessed December 12, 2017.)
Election Agencies
Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Alabama can contact the following state and federal agencies.
Alabama Secretary of State, Elections Division
- 600 Dexter Ave, Suite E-208
- Montgomery, Alabama 36130
- Telephone: 334-242-7210
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- 1335 East West Highway, Suite 4300
- Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
- Telephone: 866-747-1471