Monday is the deadline to register to vote in Gadsden’s Aug. 25 election

GADSDEN, Ala. Monday, Aug. 10, is the last day to register to vote or update your voter information in time for the Aug. 25 Gadsden municipal election. Registration goes through the Etowah County Board of Registrars at 256-549-5384, not through the city.

If you have moved, changed your name, or have never registered in Alabama, Monday is the cutoff. After that, nothing can be fixed in time for this election.

Who needs to do something before Monday?

Three groups.

Anyone who has never registered to vote in Alabama. Anyone who has moved since they last voted, even within Gadsden, because your address determines which box you vote in. And anyone whose name has changed, through marriage or otherwise, since they last updated their registration.

If none of those apply and you voted in Gadsden last time, you are almost certainly fine.

How do I register?

Alabama allows online registration through the Secretary of State’s office, and you can also register by mail or in person through the Etowah County Board of Registrars.

Call the Board of Registrars at 256-549-5384 if you are unsure of your status or need a form. Do not call the city clerk for registration questions, because the city does not handle registration.

What do I need to register?

You must be a U.S. citizen, an Alabama resident, at least 18 by election day, and not barred by a disqualifying felony conviction or a court ruling of mental incompetence.

You will need an Alabama driver’s license or non-driver ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

What if I am not sure whether I am registered?

Check rather than assume. People are sometimes surprised, particularly if they have moved between counties or have not voted in several cycles.

The Board of Registrars can confirm your status by phone at 256-549-5384. The Secretary of State’s office also maintains an online lookup.

What ID do I bring on election day?

Registering and voting have separate requirements. Alabama requires photo identification at the polls, so getting registered by Monday is only the first step.

Commonly accepted forms include an Alabama driver’s license or non-driver ID, a U.S. passport, a military ID, or a photo ID issued by an Alabama college or by a state, county or municipal government. Alabama also issues a free photo voter ID for people who do not have another acceptable form.

If you are unsure whether the ID in your wallet qualifies, ask the Board of Registrars now rather than at the polling place on Aug. 25, when there is no time to fix it.

What is on the ballot Aug. 25?

Gadsden voters choose a mayor, seven City Council members and seven Board of Education members. City elections here are non-partisan, and write-in votes are not permitted.

If no candidate in a race gets a majority, that race goes to a runoff on Sept. 22.

When and where do I vote?

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

There are 16 voting boxes across 12 buildings, and three boxes moved since 2022. Our full list of Gadsden polling places has every box with its address, including the four buildings that serve two boxes each.

If you do not know your box number, call the Gadsden city clerk’s office at 256-549-4517.

What about absentee voting?

Absentee ballots run on a separate calendar from registration, with its own application and return deadlines. Our 2026 Voter’s Guide covers the absentee schedule, the official sample ballot and how results will be reported on election night.

Registering by Monday is the prerequisite for all of it. You cannot vote absentee if you are not registered.

Frequently asked questions

When is the registration deadline?
Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.

Who handles registration?
The Etowah County Board of Registrars, 256-549-5384.

When is the election?
Tuesday, Aug. 25, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Do I need to re-register if I moved within Gadsden?
You need to update your address, because it determines your voting box.

Do I need photo ID to vote?
Yes. Alabama requires photo ID at the polls, and a free voter ID is available for those without one.

When is a runoff if one is needed?
Sept. 22.

More election coverage

• Where to vote in Gadsden on Aug. 25: all 16 polling places
• Gadsden voters to choose mayor, council and school board on Aug. 25
• Candidates line up for Gadsden City Board of Education seats