Why Photo Voter Identification?

Change in Law

During the 2011 Regular Legislative Session the Legislature approved House Bill 19. Governor Robert Bentley signed the bill, and it was subsequently assigned Act Number 2011-673.

Beginning with the June 3, 2014 primary election, Act 2011-673 requires an Alabama voter to have a specific type of photo identification at the polls in order to vote. If a voter does not have one of the approved forms of photo ID as stated in the law, then he or she may receive a free Alabama photo voter ID from various locations.

If a voter does not have a valid photo ID, they can still vote in an election if they are positively identified by two election officials. A signed affidavit is required in that situation.

Implementation Process

The Secretary of State’s office was tasked with writing Administrative Rules to direct the process of receiving free photo ID’s. View the administrative rules. The Secretary of State was also tasked with selecting a vendor for processing the cards. Police and Sheriff’s Press, Inc. was chosen as the vendor. The Secretary of State’s office set up training and provided equipment for the process to begin in all 67 counties in the State of Alabama.