2024 Transform Alabama Election Guide

Election

Tuskegee University students at Selma Jubilee with Transform Alabama

Dear Reader,

TransformAlabamaisa501c3usingHipHopculturetobuildcommunity, increaseconstituentengagement,andprovidepoliticaleducation.

Read this guide, to learn more about our political system.

TransformAlabamapartneredwithGreaterBirminghamMinistriestooffer youthisElectionGuideasauseful,non-partisantool.Wedonotendorse anycandidateorpoliticalparty.Weaimtoprovideinformationsoyoucan decidewhotovoteforandpreparetovote.

Features of the guide:

Pg.2providesinformationaboutvotingrightsafterafelonyconviction. Onpg.3,followtheflowchartforstepsyoucantaketopreparetovote.

Seepg.5fortipsonvotingearlyorbymailusingAlabama’sabsentee votingsystem.

Startingonpg.9,weoutline the3branchesofgovernment,anddutiesof differentelectedofficials.

Please also keep in mind these very important dates:

Lastdaywerecommendmailinganabsentee ballotapplication

Lastdaytoregistertovote

Lastdaywerecommendmailingan absenteeballot

Lastdaytovoteabsenteeinperson

Deadlinetohanddeliveranabsenteeballot ElectionDay

Thank you for participating in our democracy,

Dr. Adia Winfrey Executive Director

October10,2024

October21,2024

October24,2024

October31,2024

November4,2024, closeofbusiness

November5,2024

“I have a felony conviction. Can I vote?”

Mostfelonyconvictions(felonydrugconvictions,forexample)DONOT preventyoufromregisteringtovoteinAlabama.

Formostofthefelonyconvictionsthatdisqualifyyoufromvoting,thereis aprocessforrestoringyourvotingrightssoyoucanregister.

Haveyoucompletedyoursentenceincludingprobation,parole, orcommunitysupervision?

Haveyoupaidallfines,fees,orrestitutiononthedisqualifying convictions?

If you answered “yes,” apply to have your voting rights restored

ContactGBMat205-304-0481orgbmvotes@gbm.orgtodetermineyour votingeligibilityandgethelpregisteringorrestoringyourrighttovote.

Requestafreeconsultationatreturn-my-vote.com

A r e y o u a U S C i t i z e n ?

P r e p a r i n g f o r E l e c t i o n D a y Y e s Y e s D o y o u h a v e a p r e v i o u s f e l o n y c o n v i c t i o n y o u b e l i e v e d i s q u a l i f i e s y o u ?

C h e c k y o u r e l i g i b i l i t y t o v o t e ! W i l l y o u b e a t l e a s t 1 8 y e a r s o l d o n E l e c t i o n D a y ?

Y o u m a y s t i l l b e e l i g i b l e !

S e e p g . 2 f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t v o t i n g a f t e r a f e l o n y c o n v i c t i o n . R e g a r d l e s s , y o u c a n s t i l l b e i n v o l v e d — s e e S t e p 6 . R e g i s t e r t o v o t e !

I f y o u h a v e a v a l i d A l a b a m a ’ s D r i v e r ’ s L i c e n s e , o r N o nD r i v e r ’ s L i c e n s e , y o u c a n r e g i s t e r o n l i n e a t s o s . a l a b a m a . g o v . P a p e r f o r m s a r e a v a i l a b l e a t t h e B o a r d o f R e g i s t r a r ’ s o f f i c e . C h e c k y o u r r e g i s t r a t i o n s t a t u s a n d p o l l i n g l o c a t i o n a t m y i n f o . a l a b a m a v o t e s . g o v / v o t e r v i e w . W h i l e y o u ’ r e t h e r e , u s e t h e d r o p d o w n “ D i s t r i c t s ” m e n u t o s e e y o u r v o t i n g d i s t r i c t s ( y o u ’ l l n e e d t h e m i n s t e p 4 ) . M a k e a p l a n f o r h o w y o u w i l l v o t e ! P o l l i n g l o c a t i o n : Y o u a r e n o t e l i g i b l e . Y o u ’ r e e l i g i b l e !

H o w e v e r , y o u c a n s t i l l b e i n v o l v e d .

S t e p 6 .

S k i p t o

• D r i v e r ’ s l i c e n s e o r n o nd r i v e r I D

M a k e a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n . W i l l y o u : R e m e m b e r y o u r p h o t o I D . T o v o t e y o u n e e d a v a l i d g o v e r n m e n ti s s u e d I D . T h i s c o u l d b e : D e c i d e w h a t t i m e y o u ’ l l v o t e . ( P o l l s a r e o p e n 7 a m t o 7 p m ) . M o r n i n g L u n c h t i m e E v e n i n g I f y o u n e e d t o r e q u e s t a f r e e r i d e , r e a c h o u t t o T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a @ g m a i l . c o m . U s e t h e b u d d y s y s t e m !

• A l a b a m a P h o t o V o t e r I D C a r d

• U S P a s s p o r t

• G o v e r n m e n t E m p l o y e e I D

• S t u d e n t o r E m p l o y e e I D f r o m a p u b l i c o r p r i v a t e c o l l e g e o r u n i v e r s i t y i n t h e s t a t e o f A l a b a m a ( o r a s t a t e i n s t i t u t i o n o f h i g h e r e d i n a n o t h e r s t a t e ) .

• V a l i d M i l i t a r y I D

D e c i d e i f y o u w i l l v o t e a b s e n t e e .

D e c i d e w h a t f r i e n d s o r f a m i l y m e m b e r s y o u c a n e n c o u r a g e t o

v o t e o r t a k e w i t h y o u t o t h e p o l l s : P e r s o n 1 :

• V a l i d T r i b a l I D P e r s o n 2 : Y o u m a y v o t e b y m a i l o r v o t e i n p e r s o n b e f o r e E l e c t i o n D a y i f y o u m e e t c e r t a i n c r i t e r i a . P e r s o n 3 : S e e p g . 8 f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n . Y o u c a n g e t a f r e e A l a b a m a V o t e r I D t h r o u g h t h e C o u n t y B o a r d o f R e g i s t r a r s o r t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e ( 3 3 4 . 2 4 2 . 7 2 0 0 ) . D o n ’ t f o r g e t y o u r m a s k !

Y o u m a y w a n t t o t a k e C o v i d1 9 p r e c a u t i o n s b y m a i n t a i n i n g p h y s i c a l d i s t a n c e , w e a r i n g a m a s k , a n d s a n i t i z i n g y o u r h a n d s . C o n t i n u e t o S t e p 4 o n t h e n e x t p a g e . . .

a t e H o u s e :

L e a r n m o r e a b o u t w h a t w i l l a p p e a r o n y o u r b a l l o t . I f y o u d i d n o t d o s o i n S t e p 3 , l o o k u p y o u r p o l l i n g s t a t i o n a t m y i n f o . a l a b a m a v o t e s . g o v / v o t e r v i e w a n d m a k e n o t e o f y o u r d i s t r i c t s . L o c a l D i s t r i c t / W a r d :

S t a t e S e n a t e :

S e n a t e

S t a t e S c h o o l B o a r d

C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n :

L o o k u p y o u r s a m p l e b a l l o t , f o u n d o n h t t p s : / / w w w . s o s . a l a b a m a . g o v / a l a b a m av o t e s . F i n d y o u r c o u n t y . S o m e r a c e s o n t h e s a m p l e b a l l o t a r e s t a t e o r c o u n t yw i d e ; u s e t h e d i s t r i c t i n f o r m a t i o n y o u w r o t e d o w n a b o v e t o c h e c k w h i c h d i s t r i c t r a c e s a p p l y t o y o u .

U s e t h i s E l e c t i o n G u i d e t o l e a r n a b o u t v a r i o u s e l e c t e d o f f i c e s . C h e c k o u t t h e c a n d i d a t e ’ s p l a t f o r m .

R e s e a r c h t h e o f f i c e .

L o o k u p t h e c a n d i d a t e ’ s w e b s i t e a n d s o c i a l m e d i a o r r e q u e s t m a t e r i a l s . W h e r e d o t h e y s t a n d o n i s s u e s t h a t a r e i m p o r t a n t t o y o u ? H o w d o d i f f e r e n t c a n d i d a t e s c o m p a r e t o e a c h o t h e r ? W h a t d o e s t h i s o f f i c e h a v e c o n t r o l o v e r ? W h a t i s s u e s a r e i m p o r t a n t t o y o u i n t h e i r a r e a o f i n f l u e n c e ?

C h e c k o u t t h e i r v o t i n g r e c o r d .

U s e o t h e r r e s o u r c e s t o c o m p a r e c a n d i d a t e ’ s p l a t f o r m s w i t h t h e i r v o t i n g r e c o r d s .

D o y o u r o w n r e s e a r c h a b o u t t h e c a n d i d a t e s .

I f t h e c a n d i d a t e h a s h e l d a p r e v i o u s l e g i s l a t i v e o f f i c e , b a l l o t p e d i a . o r g a n d G o v T r a c k . u s a r e g o o d r e s o u r c e s t o u s e . I f t h e c a n d i d a t e h e l d a s t a t e l e g i s l a t i v e o f f i c e , y o u c a n u s e l e g i s l a t u r e . s t a t e . a l . u s . A s k q u e s t i o n s l i k e : H o w h a v e t h e y v o t e d o n r e l a t e d i s s u e s i m p o r t a n t t o m e ? H o w d o e s t h e i r r e c o r d d i f f e r

f r o m t h e i r s t a t e d p l a t f o r m ?

A t t e n d c a n d i d a t e f o r u m s o r t o w n h a l l s . C a n d i d a t e f o r u m s c a n b e a g r e a t w a y t o g e t t o k n o w y o u r c a n d i d a t e s . C o m e p r e p a r e d w i t h q u e s t i o n s y o u ’ d l i k e t o a s k .

B e w a r e o f f a l s e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d f a l s e p o l i t i c a l a d s ! A l o t o f w e b s i t e s a i m t o s p r e a d f a l s e i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d p o l i t i c a l a d s d o n ’ t h a v e t o b e t r u e t o b e s h a r e d , s o e x e r c i s e c a u t i o n a n d s k e p t i c i s m . C o n s i d e r w h e t h e r t h e s o u r c e i s r e p u t a b l e a n d s e e w h a t o t h e r n e w s o u t l e t s a r e s a y i n g a b o u t t h e s a m e t o p i c . L o o k i n t o C a m p a i g n F i n a n c e . I f y o u w a n t t o d i g e v e n d e e p e r a n d l o o k i n t o w h e r e e a c h c a n d i d a t e g e t s t h e i r f u n d i n g , t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n i s r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e o n t h e A l a b a m a E l e c t r o n i c F a i r

C a m p a i g n P r a c t i c e s A c t ( F C P A ) R e p o r t i n g S y s t e m w e b s i t e . I n f o r m a t i o n o n c a m p a i g n c o n t r i b u t i o n l i m i t s a r e a l s o a v a i l a b l e . C o n s i d e r t h e n u m b e r , t h e s i z e s , a n d t h e s o u r c e s o f t h e c o n t r i b u t o r s .

D e c i d e h o w y o u w i l l v o t e . Y o u c a n m a r k u p y o u r s a m p l e b a l l o t a n d / o r t h i s g u i d e a n d b r i n g i t w i t h y o u t o v o t e . C o n t a c t o u r T e a m a t T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a @ g m a i l . c o m o r 2 5 6 . 3 2 2 . 0 2 6 7 t o s e e h o w y o u c a n p a r t n e r w i t h u s . V o l u n t e e r w i t h T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a !

Voting Absentee

Peoplewhomeetcertaincriteriacanuseourabsenteesystemtovotebymail orvoteinpersonbeforeElectionDay.Youmayvoteabsenteeifyou:

willnotbeintheCountyonElectionDay.

areilloraphysicaldisabilitykeepsyoufromgoingtothepolls.

areanAlabamavoterlivingoutsideofyourcounty,suchasmilitary personnel,someonelivingabroad,oracollegestudent.

areanelectionofficerorpollwatcheratapollingplaceawayfromyour own.

workarequiredshiftthatis10ormorehoursduringpollhours.

areacaregivertoafamilymemberconfinedtotheirhome.

areinprisonorjailanddonothaveadisqualifyingconviction.

Note: In 2024, Governor Kay Ivey signed SB1 into law, which criminalizes some assistance with preparing absentee ballots.

Vote Absentee in Person

UntiltheThursdaybeforeElectionDay,youcandothewholeabsentee processfromapplicationtoballotinpersonatyourAbsenteeElection Manager’sOffice.Callaheadtoverifywhichoneyoushouldvisit.

Note: Absentee Election Managers recommend voting absentee in person over doing the process by mail in order to avoid any mail delays and to prevent potential mistakes in your application or ballot.

Vote Absentee by Mail

1.

Findanabsenteeballotapplicationonalabamavotes.govORcallCity Clerk.

2.

Fillouttheapplication.Choose“GeneralElection.”Choosethereason thatbestappliestoyou.Makesureyousigntheapplication(nowitness needed).

3.

MailtheapplicationandacopyofyoureligiblephotoID(seepg.4)toyour AbsenteeElectionManager.Useoneenvelopeperapplication.

4.

Whenyourballotarrives,fillitoutwithablackballpointpen,thensealit intheproperenvelopes.Yourballotcouldtakeaweekormoretoarrive. Sealyourcompletedballotinthesecrecyenvelope,thensealyour secrecyenvelopeintheaffidavitenvelope.

5.

Recruitanotaryortwowitnessesandsignandfillouttheaffidavit.This stepisessentialtohavingyourballotcounted.

6.

Sealyouraffidavitenvelopeinsidethepre-addressedenvelopeandreturn yourballot.MailitwiththreestampsviaUSPSorviaacommercialcarrier, orhanddelivertotheAbsenteeElectionManager.

Note: if you apply for your absentee ballot but do not turn it in, you still have the right to vote in person. If the poll worker says you are marked as absentee, ask for a provisional ballot.

Permanent Disability Absentee Voting

Ifyouhaveapermanentdisability,youcansubmitaspecialapplicationand receiveabsenteeballotsbymailforallelectionsthatyear.Note:

Theapplicationincludesamandatoryphysician’sreportsection.Itmust besignedbyaphysicianandnotarized.

Youmustapplyforthisdesignationannually.Itisnotpermanent.

Stateandmunicipalelectionshaveseparateapplications.Sendthe municipalapplicationtotheCityClerk.Forallotherelections,sendthe generalapplicationtoyourAbsenteeElectionManager.

Youcanselecttheelectionsyouwouldliketoreceiveballotsfor.Besure tospecifyyourpartyfortheprimaryorprimaryrunoffelections.

Emergency Absentee Voting

Inthefivedayspriortotheelection,ifcertaincircumstancesarisethat preventyoufromvotingatyourpollingplace,youcanvote emergency absentee.

YoucanhanddeliveryouremergencyabsenteeapplicationtoyourAbsentee ElectionManagernolaterthanthedaybeforetheelection,if: youarerequiredbyyouremployertoworkonElectionDay(andyou foundoutaboutitwithinthefivedaysbeforetheelection).

youareacaregiverofapersonwhorequiresemergencytreatmentby alicensedphysicianwithinthefivedaysbeforetheelection. yourfamilymemberdieswithinthefivedayspriortotheelection. Relativesmustbefirstorseconddegreeofkinshipbybloodorby marriage(e.g.step-relativesandrelatives-in-law).Thisincludesparents, siblings,spouses,children,grandparents,andgrandchildren.

Foryourownmedicalemergenciesarisingwithinfivedaysoftheelection: Ontheemergencyabsenteeapplicationform,alsocompletethe physician’sreportontheabsenteeapplicationandhavethephysician signitORattachthephysician’sreporttotheabsenteeapplication.

IfyouareunabletotaketheapplicationtotheAbsenteeElection Manager’soffice,adesigneecanhanddelivertheapplicationandthe absenteeballot.Completethedesigneesectionontheapplication.

AlabamaSecretaryofState

Wes Allan

StateCapitolBuilding-SuiteS-105

600DexterAvenueMontgomery,AL36130 334-342-7200

Hours: M-F, 8 am to 5 pm

AfterElectionDay,visitmyinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview tocheckthe statusofyourabsenteeorprovisionalballot.

Branches of Government

Federal&StateGovernment

The Federal government is made up of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Their duties and powers are outlined in the United States Constitution. Federal elections happen every two years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

State governments are modeled after the Federal Government and the three-branch system, although this is not required by the Constitution.

Over the next several pages, we outline details of the following political offices:

EXECUTIVE BRANCH President Governor

Commissioners

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

U.S.Congress

StateRepresentative

StateSenator JUDICIALBRANCH

SupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates

(Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

PresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica

The President is the head of state and head of government of the United States, and Commander-in-Chief of the military. Fifteen executive departments handle the day to day administration of the federal government, and are led by a member of the President’s Cabinet.

THE PRESIDENT CAN...

☐ Sign bills into law or block bills passed by Congress, and enforce the laws that Congress passes.

☐ Represent the United States in talks with other countries, entertain foreign guests, and recognize other countries

☐ Act as Commander-in-Chief during a war and call out troops to protect our nation against an attack.

☐ Nominate Cabinet members and Supreme Court Justices and other high officials, and appoint Ambassadors.

☐ Grant pardons.

Executive Branch

Term: 4 Years

Term Limits: 2 Terms

Next Election: 2024

(Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

UnitedStatesCongress

Congress is divided into two equal institutions: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each state elects 2 Senators and from 1-52 Representatives based on state population size. The 435 U.S. House of Representatives and 100 U.S. Senators work together to pass legislation. No bill can become a law without passing both houses of Congress. Congress...

☐ Establishes an annual budget for the government, and direct money towards specific projects.

☐ Investigates any issue they deem necessary, including holding hearings.

☐ Oversees government operations and maintaining the Government Accountability Office (GAO)

☐ Has the right to confirm or deny Presidential appointments.

☐ Is the sole authority to declare war.

Legislative Branch

Term: House of Representatives 2 Years & Senate 6 Years

Term Limits: None

Next Election: 2024

(Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

SupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land. Since 1869 the Supreme Court has been comprised of 9 Justices, but the Constitution does not provide limits on the number of members. All Justices are nominated by the President of the United States, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and hold their offices until they resign, pass away, or are impeached or convicted by Congress. In 211 years, there have been 112 Justices and 17 Chief Justices.

THE SUPREME COURT…

☐ Interprets the meaning of laws to decide whether it is relevant to a particular set of facts, or to rule on how it should be applied.

☐ Is the final judicial arbiter in the United States on federal laws.

☐ May consider appeals from the highest state courts or from federal appellate courts.

☐ Cannot be appealed to any authority.

☐ Has original jurisdiction over limited types of cases, including those involving ambassadors and other diplomats, and in cases between states.

Judicial Branch

Term: None

Term Limits: None

(Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/)

STATE GOVERNMENT

Governor

The Governor is the chief executive of the State of Alabama, established in 1819.

THE GOVERNOR...

☐ Signs bills into law or veto bills passed by the State Legislature, and sees that laws are executed.

☐ Appoints heads of Cabinet agencies, and replacements for many elected officials in the case of vacancies before the next election.

☐ Receives appropriations from the General Fund and other governmental funding sources

☐ Can issue executive orders.

☐ Has control of State property.

Executive Branch

Term: 4 Years

Term Limits: 2 Terms

Next Election: 2026

(Source: https://governor.alabama.gov/legislation/)

STATE GOVERNMENT

StateLegislature

The Alabama Legislature is divided into two bodies: the State House and the State Senate. The State House includes 105 members, each representing about 40,000 people. The State Senate is made up of 35 members with about 137,000 constituents in their district.

The State Legislature...

☐ Reviews and votes on the State budget

☐ Writes and votes on bills that are later signed into law by the Governor.

Legislative Branch Term: 4 Years

Term Limits: None

Next Election: 2026

(Source: https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/LegislativeAdvocacy/CurrentSession/APrimerOnAlabamasLegislativeProcess2013.pdf)

STATE GOVERNMENT

PublicServiceCommission

In 1915 the Alabama Legislature designated the Alabama Public Service Commission. The Commission evolved from the Railroad Commission of Alabama (established in 1881), to include the regulation of telephone and telegraph companies, transportation companies, and the regulation of utilities providing electricity, gas, water, and steam. The Public Service Commission’s authority broadened again in 1920 when the Legislature made it responsible for regulating utility rates.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION...

☐ Determines how much you pay monthly for services like electricity, natural gas, and other utilities provided by a regulated utility.

☐ Provides oversight to ensure Alabama Power and Spire customers are not being overcharged for these services

☐ Calculates Alabama Power’s allowable profit

Executive Branch

Term: 4 Years

Term Limits: None

Next Election: 2026

(Source: https://energyalabama.org/alabama-public-service-commission/ &

https://psc.alabama.gov/about-us)

BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

LocalGovernment

Local government is divided into two tiers: counties and municipalities. These are the levels of government most people come into contact with, including public works (trash and sewage), parks and recreation services, and municipal courts.

While the Federal and State governments often share power, local government is granted power by the State.

(Source: https://www whitehouse gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/state-local-government/)

The

Source: https://www.talladegalincolnchamber.com/talladega-county-courthouse/

Talladega Courthouse was built in 1836, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the oldest working courthouse in Alabama.

SNAPSHOT OF ALABAMA’S VOTING RIGHTS HISTORY

You’re up next! How will you make a difference?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR VOTE HAS POWER?

CAST YOUR BALLOT AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

#Race2ThePolls

A multimedia get out to vote campaign

Bet (Transform Alabama)

Transform Alabama’s organizing anthem

#TransformersUnite

Editor and Lead Organizer: Dr. Adia Winfrey Graphic Design Template: Amanda Cherry

ShoutouttotheTransformAlabamaStatewideTeam:

TuskegeeTransformers,JohnMcClellan,ApostleCarolynMorton,LilySmith, BarryCalhoun,MarieTichler,LoisHall,HopeJohnson,ChrisJohnson, SharonBell,JuanitaMcClellan,DonovanWinfrey,TinaBolden, SanWhite,MarthaJordan,OscarAustin,AlabamaForward

Thank you to the non-profits, businesses, community organizations, churches, and individuals who helped distribute our guides!

Forprintedguidesforyourcommunity,email

TransformAlabama@gmail.com

To build a more equitable democracy by mobilizing everyday citizens through producing Hip Hop-based intergenerational community events, collecting oral histories, and creating multimedia content that promotes civic engagement.