Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Today marks 50 days left to apply for an absentee ballot.
In order to protect the safety and well-being of voters, Secretary John Merrill encouraged those who are concerned about contracting or spreading the coronavirus to apply for and cast an absentee ballot.
Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded online or requested by visiting or contacting Escambia County Absentee Election Manager John R. Fountain.
Voters may also contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (334) 242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application.
According to Merrill’s office, all absentee ballot applications must be received in the office of the Absentee Election Manager for Escambia County no later than the 5th day prior to the election.
Due to the declared states of emergency, any qualified voter who determines it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at their polling place shall be eligible to check the box on the absentee ballot application that is most applicable to that individual. In the case none of the boxes are appropriate, voters can check the box which reads as follows:
“I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”
For the July 14 Primary Runoff Election, the deadline to register to vote is Monday, June 29, the deadline to submit an absentee ballot application is Thursday, July 9, the deadline to return an absentee ballot to the Absentee Election Manager is the close of business Monday, July 13, and the last day to postmark an absentee ballot 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.
An absentee ballot returned by mail must be postmarked no later than the day prior to the election and received by the Absentee Election Manager no later than noon on Election Day. If hand-delivered, the ballot must be in the office of the Absentee Election Manager by the close of business but no later than 5 p.m. on the day prior to the election.
A voter may cast an absentee ballot if he or she
EXPECTS TO BE ABSENT FROM THE COUNTY on election day
IS ILL OR HAS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY that prevents a trip to the polling place
IS A REGISTERED ALABAMA VOTER LIVING OUTSIDE THE COUNTY, such as a member of the armed forces, a voter employed outside the United States, a college student, or a spouse or child of such a person
IS AN APPOINTED ELECTION OFFICER OR POLL WATCHER at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place
EXPECTS TO WORK A REQUIRED SHIFT, 10-HOURS OR MORE, that coincides with polling hours
IS A CAREGIVER for a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and the family member is confined to his or her home