Deadlines approaching for general election

By Editor | October 16, 2026 |

By Christa Jennings

Senior Staff Writer

The general election is now less than three weeks away, and deadlines are quickly approaching for those needing to make preparations for voting.

With the general election being held on November 3, Monday, October 19, is the last day to register to vote for the general election.

Applications for absentee voting being returned by mail must be received no later than October 27, one week prior to the election. Absentee applications returned by hand must be received no later than October 29.

Following the application process, absentee ballots being returned by hand to the absentee election manager must be received no later than the close of business, 4 p.m., on November 2.

Absentee ballots being returned by mail must be delivered to the absentee election manager no later than 12 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

Following the election, that Friday, November 6, is the deadline for voters whose ballot became provisional because of the lack of identification to provide identification, including the address and telephone number of the voter, to the Board of Registrars.

While unofficial results will be posted the week of the election, the official results will be made available the following week.

At noon on the following Tuesday, November 10, the county Canvassing Board will tabulate any provisional ballots that have been certified by the Board of Registrars. At that time the Canvassing Board will certify the results of the provisional votes and the overall election results.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 3. For election night returns, the main courtroom of the County Courthouse in Rockford will be open to the public for anyone wishing to watch the results.

Since no local candidates have opposition for this election, the large monitors in the courtroom will not be utilized to post local election results as has been done in the past. However, if anyone attends to observe returns, the results tapes will be posted in the courtroom.

Additionally, those working election night will attempt to have a local television station live streaming on the courtroom’s large monitors so those in attendance can watch the statewide results as they are reported.

Anyone who wishes to observe workers processing the returns in the probate office may do so through the glass partitions, but observers may not interfere with the process or cause distractions.

Following this year’s general election a post-election audit will be conducted as enacted by Act 2026-433, in accordance with the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended.

The date for the post-election audit has not yet been set, but a notice will be printed in the newspaper once that is determined.

Offices that will be included on Coosa County’s November 3 ballot are governor; lieutenant governor; U.S. senator; U.S. representative for the 6th Congressional District; attorney general; state senator for District 30; state representative for District 33; associate justice of the Supreme Court, Place 7; associate justice of the Supreme Court, Place 8; Court of Civil Appeals judge, Place 4; Court of Civil Appeals judge, Place 5; Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 4; Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 5; secretary of state; state treasurer; state auditor; commissioner of agriculture and industries; Public Service Commission places 1 and 2; county sheriff; county revenue commissioner; county coroner; Coosa County Commission districts 1-5; and Coosa County Board of Education districts 1, 3 and 4.

Additionally, the ballot will include four proposed statewide amendments for consideration, giving voters the chance to cast “yes” or “no” votes to approve or oppose those amendments.

For an overview of the proposed amendments, see next week’s edition.