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Tuesday, July 21, is the last day to qualify for the municipal elections to be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

Already, hats have been tossed in the rings in Brundidge and Troy. However, hopefuls in Goshen and Banks are waiting until the waning moments to let their candidacies be publicly known.

Linda Faust, Brundidge city clerk, said candidates have until  5 p.m. today to qualify. The fee is $50.

To qualify for the municipal election, one must be 18 years of age and must have been a resident of the municipality and district on May 25, 2020.

If a runoff is necessary, the run-off date will be Tuesday, October 6.

Pike County residents who have questions about voting districts should call the Pike County Board of Registrars at  334-566-1757 and 566-6449.

Also, Secretary of State John H. Merrill has officially extended the opportunity for anyone concerned about COVID-19 to apply for and cast an absentee ballot for the upcoming municipal elections.

At the request of the Alabama League of Municipalities on behalf of all Alabama municipalities scheduled to hold an election in 2020, Merrill has authorized anyone concerned about contracting or spreading COVID-19 to cast an absentee ballot in order to avoid the polls on Election Day.

“We have worked to provide safe, secure, and free elections for the people of Alabama through offering an extended absentee voting period during the recent Primary Runoff Election, and we will continue to see that Alabamians have the opportunity to safely participate in the electoral process during these challenging times,” Merrill said in a release.

Any qualified voter who determines it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at their polling place shall be eligible to check the box on the absentee ballot application that is most applicable to that individual. State law allows the Secretary of State to issue absentee voting guidance during declared states of emergency, allowing Secretary Merrill to encourage voters to check the box which reads as follows (in the case none of the boxes are appropriate):

“I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”

“We appreciate the Secretary of State’s Office collaborating with ALM to address these extraordinary circumstances as we head into municipal elections,” said Greg Cochran, League of Municipalities Executive Director. “Ensuring all Alabamians have a voice through their vote is imperative to the success of our state.”

For the August 25 municipal elections, the deadline to register to vote is Monday, August 10, the deadline to submit an absentee ballot application is Thursday, August 20, and the deadline to hand-deliver an absentee ballot is the close of business Monday, August 24. If an absentee ballot is returned by mail, it must be postmarked by August 24 and received by noon on August 25.

If necessary, runoff elections will be held on Tuesday, October 6.