By: Jamie Holdsambeck
Millions of Americans have already voted in this year’s election thanks to early voting opportunities. Many citizens are voting early in person or by mail.
According to the U.S. Elections Project, at least 14 million Americans have already voted this election cycle, and with COVID-19 still taking its toll on communities across the nation, many citizens are utilizing safer voting practices.
Many states have expanded their mail-in voting systems to cater to the overwhelming need for the postal service this election cycle. While mail-in voting is something that has been practiced for decades, it is being utilized at a substantially larger rate this year.
Many states, including the state of Alabama, have expanded the ability to vote absentee to everyone, citing COVID-19 as a reason.
Dr. Andrea Eckleman, an associate professor of political science at the University of Montevallo, notes how many states are seeing a fluctuation in voting by mail and early voting numbers.
“The point there is to encourage turnout. States with early voting, you are going to see more people doing that rather than waiting until election day. If you wait until election day you are running the risk of lines and potential exposure to the virus,” she says.
If you are voting absentee in Alabama, you must have your mail-in ballot postmarked by the day prior to the election, and the ballot must be received by the Absentee Election Manager no later than noon on Election Day.
Election Day is November 3rd, and the deadline to register to vote in Alabama is October 19th. For more information about your voter registration status, visit usa.gov.
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