The number of active and inactive registered voters in Lee County — those who are eligible to vote in next week’s midterm elections — has grown by 6,000 over the course of a month, indicating a heightened interest in the election, Lee County Board of Registrars Chair Becky Bailey said Wednesday.
Close to 116,000 people are registered as active or inactive voters, Bailey said. The Lee County Board of Registrars is finishing up the process of finalizing the voter rolls, and those preliminary numbers are as of Monday.
“That’s a very high number,” Bailey said with a nervous laugh, recalling five years ago when the number was around 85,000 in 2013.
And there are still applications left to process before Nov. 6.
“I think it’s just like it is on TV,” Bailey said of the interest in this year’s midterm election. “Everybody is really interested one way or the other. Of course, it hasn’t gotten nasty around here like it has in Washington. But everybody does have their opinions.”
That number is an increase of nearly 6,000 registered voters over the number in September of this year, when only 110,082 people were on the rolls in Lee County, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office.
WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT
Alabama holds statewide general elections every four years, coinciding with midterm elections on the federal level.
Alabamians will vote for governor, lieutenant governor, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, attorney general and several other statewide offices in addition to local lawmakers in the House and Senate and four state constitutional amendments. All seven of Alabama’s congressional seats are also up for re-election.
COMPARING TO THE 2014 MIDTERMS
The last time the state voted in a statewide and midterm election was 2014, when only 86,248 people were registered to vote in Lee County. Since then, the number has risen by nearly 30,000 as Lee County has grown in population.
There are more registered voters this year by far, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to higher voter participation. In 2014, about 32 percent of voters in Lee County turned out to vote. Statewide, about 39.8 percent of eligible voters voted.
This year, Secretary of State John Merrill is predicting a voter turnout of 35 to 40 percent.
Bailey is hopeful Lee County will have a high turnout on Nov. 6.
“I think it’s going to be a really good turnout, because we have gotten a lot of people who have not voted before or either they haven’t voted in a long time,” Bailey said.
ACTIVE VS. INACTIVE
About one in 10 voters in Lee County are listed as inactive on the voter rolls, according to numbers from September. But that doesn’t mean you can’t vote if you’re one of those.
“Being inactive, by no means, means they can’t vote,” Bailey said. “It’s no problem to do it. There’s no trouble to do it. Just go in and vote inactive, and the next time you go vote, you’ll be active if you fill out the form.”
Voters will be asked to fill out a form updating their registration information.
ELECTION FAQ
Can I still register to vote?
Unfortunately, no, you can’t. The deadline was Oct. 22, and registration is required to vote.
Did I need to re-register?
No, not necessarily. If you’ve voted in recent elections, you should still be registered to vote.
How can I check if I’m registered?
You can check your registration status online at alabamavotes.gov.
What do I need to take with me?
You need a valid form of photo ID. That can include a driver’s license, a voter ID card, a military ID, a passport or your TigerCard. Check to see what's considered a valid photo ID here.
Can I vote early?
No, Alabama does not have early voting.
Is it too late to vote absentee?
The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Thursday, Nov. 1. More information is available at alabamavotes.gov or vote.org.
Where do I vote?
You can only vote at your designated polling location. Find your location online at alabamavotes.gov.
How long are polls open?
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but if you’re in line by 7 p.m., you can still vote.
Can I still vote if I’m inactive?
Yes, you can still vote, and your vote will count. You will be asked to update your information at the polls.
What all will be on the ballot?
Governor, lieutenant governor and a number of other statewide races. Congressional seats are also up for re-election. Find a sample ballot online at alabamavotes.gov.
What if I don’t have a photo ID?
You can go to the polls and vote a provisional ballot if you don’t have a photo ID. You have until the following Friday to follow up with the board of registrars to confirm your identity.
If you don’t confirm your identity, your vote won’t be counted. Check alabamavotes.gov or with the board of registrars for documents needed.
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Chip Brownlee, senior in journalism and political science, is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
