Gadsden’s first absentee deadline hits Tuesday. Here is every date before the Aug. 25 election.

Tuesday, Aug. 18, is the last day for the Gadsden city clerk to receive a mailed absentee ballot application for the Aug. 25 municipal election. In-person applications are accepted through Thursday, Aug. 20.

GADSDEN, AL – Gadsden voters who want to cast an absentee ballot in the Aug. 25 municipal election are running out of time on the first and easiest option.

Tuesday, Aug. 18, is the last day for the city clerk to receive a regular absentee ballot application sent by mail. That is a received-by date, not a postmark date, so an application mailed Monday may not make it.

Voters who miss Tuesday still have one straightforward option left. Applying in person for a regular absentee ballot is allowed through Thursday, Aug. 20. Absentee voting is handled at Gadsden City Hall, 90 Broad Street, in the city clerk’s office in Room 401 on the fourth floor.

After Aug. 20 the rules get narrower. Voters who qualify under Alabama law may apply for an emergency absentee ballot. Someone with a qualifying nonmedical emergency has to apply in person by Monday, Aug. 24. Applications tied to a qualifying medical emergency may be mailed or delivered by a designee.

Monday, Aug. 24, is also the last day to hand deliver a completed regular absentee ballot.

The final deadline is noon on Election Day. Absentee ballots returned by mail, along with medical emergency absentee ballots, must be received by 12 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Who can vote absentee?

Alabama does not allow absentee voting for any reason. A voter has to qualify under one of the categories in state law.

Those include being outside the county on Election Day, illness or a physical disability, working a qualifying shift of 10 hours or more that overlaps with polling hours, attending college outside the county where the voter is registered, military service, certain caregiving duties, and serving as an election official at a location other than the voter’s own polling place.

Questions about whether a situation qualifies can go to the city clerk’s office at 256-549-4517.

What is on the ballot?

The election fills the offices of mayor, city council and school board. All of it is nonpartisan, and write-in votes are not permitted.

The mayor’s race is between incumbent Craig Ford and Thomas Worthy. Ford won the office four years ago and is finishing his first term. A third candidate, former City Councilman Robert Avery, qualified in June and withdrew in July. Avery later said in a Facebook video that he stepped aside so Worthy could face Ford one on one.

Contested council races are in Districts 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. Two school board races are contested, in Districts 1 and 4. GadsdenThrive has published the full certified candidate list in its voter’s guide, along with a closer look at the contested council districts.

Ballots are built from each voter’s assigned municipal district, so no voter sees all of these races. Offices with no contested race do not appear on the ballot at all.

Where do I vote on Election Day?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Aug. 25.

Three voting boxes moved since the last city election. Voters in Boxes 6A and 7A, who cast ballots at Dwight Baptist Church, now vote at the Senior Wellness Center. Box 03A moved from the former Gadsden High School lunchroom to the Abundant Life Church gym.

Voters in those boxes should not drive to the building they used last time. GadsdenThrive has published all 16 polling places and their locations.

The city also mailed postcards in mid-July listing each voter’s polling location and district assignment. Voters who never got one, got one meant for someone else, or spotted wrong information are directed to contact the city clerk or the Etowah County Board of Registrars.

If no candidate wins outright, a runoff is scheduled for Sept. 22. The new administration takes office Nov. 2.

Gadsden absentee voting FAQ

When is the Gadsden municipal election?
Tuesday, Aug. 25. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail?
The city clerk must receive the application by Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Can I still apply after Aug. 18?
Yes, in person through Thursday, Aug. 20. After that, only emergency absentee applications are accepted.

When does my absentee ballot have to be back?
By noon on Aug. 25 if returned by mail. Hand delivered ballots are due Monday, Aug. 24.

Where do I go for absentee voting?
Gadsden City Hall, 90 Broad Street, city clerk’s office, Room 401.

Is there a runoff?
If one is needed, it is Sept. 22.