Andalusia, Alabama Public Records

Alabama residents can register to vote online through the Alabama Secretary of State's website at www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration, or by completing a paper application available at the Probate Office, public libraries, and various government offices. The registration deadline is 15 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, and residents of both Alabama and Covington County. A valid Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID number is required for online registration. The city holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions on a four-year cycle. Operating under a council-manager form of government, Andalusia typically schedules these municipal contests in August during election years, with the next one set for 2024. Information about candidates, polling locations for municipal elections, and local ballot measures can be obtained from Andalusia City Hall at 334-222-2570 or the Probate Office. For all elections, residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting the Alabama Secretary of State's voter information portal at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov, where voters enter their name and date of birth to view registration status, polling location, sample ballot, and elected representatives. Alabama's public records laws make certain election records publicly accessible, including voter registration lists available to candidates and political organizations with restrictions, campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State's office and searchable at www.fcpa.alabamavotes.gov, candidate qualifying documents, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Covington County reported approximately 11,500-12,000 ballots cast out of roughly 19,000 registered voters, representing turnout of approximately 60-65% - consistent with rural Alabama patterns for presidential contests. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, local voters will decide several significant races. Alabama will hold elections for Governor, with current Governor Kay Ivey's term expiring though candidacy for 2026 has not been announced as of early 2025. All seven U.S. House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot, with Andalusia situated in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District. The Alabama Legislature races include State Senate District 28 and State House District 93, which represent portions of Covington County. County-level offices on the 2026 ballot will likely include Covington County Commission seats, Sheriff, Revenue Commissioner, Probate Judge, Circuit Clerk, and other constitutional offices, most of which are elected to four-year terms. Voters can also expect ballot questions on constitutional amendments, which are common in Alabama elections. Alabama offers absentee voting for voters who meet specific criteria including being away from the county on election day, illness or physical disability, working a required shift that prevents voting, serving as an election officer or poll watcher at a different precinct, or being age 65 or older. Absentee ballot applications are available from the Probate Office and must be submitted by specific deadlines - typically 5 days before the election for mail delivery, 7 days for in-person requests. Applications can be downloaded from the Alabama Secretary of State website. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail, postmarked by election day and received within specified timeframes, or delivered in person to the Probate Office by the close of polls on election day.