CENTRE– Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day across Northeast Alabama and Northwest Georgia. Before leaving home, check your registration, review your ballot, and bring an accepted photo ID.

Both states open polls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, the time zone matters across the state line. Alabama voters will also decide four proposed statewide constitutional amendments. Reviewing those proposals beforehand can help you prepare.

Poll Hours Across the Listening Area

In the Alabama portion of the WEIS listening area, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Central Time. That includes Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, and Marshall counties.

Meanwhile, Northwest Georgia polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. That includes Floyd and Chattooga counties. On an Alabama clock, those Georgia hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time.

If you are in line when polls close, stay in line to vote. However, do not wait until the last minute to join the line.

Before traveling, Alabama voters can check their registration and assigned precinct through AlabamaVotes.gov. Georgia voters can also review their information through the state’s My Voter Page. On Election Day, Georgia voters must use their assigned precinct, which may differ from their early-voting location.

Bring an Accepted Photo ID

Both states require accepted photo identification for in-person voting. However, their lists of qualifying identification differ.

Alabama’s accepted IDs include a valid driver’s license, Alabama photo voter ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID. The state also accepts certain government, college student, and college employee photo IDs. A driver’s license may qualify if it expired fewer than 60 days ago.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s accepted IDs include a Georgia driver’s license even if expired, qualifying government photo ID, U.S. passport, military ID, and tribal ID. Georgia also accepts student IDs from Georgia public colleges and universities, along with qualifying government employee photo IDs.

If you have an identification or registration problem, ask a poll worker about your options, including provisional voting. Also follow instructions about any documentation needed afterward for your ballot to count.

Alabama’s Four Statewide Amendments

The Alabama Fair Ballot Commission provides official explanations of all four proposals. A yes vote supports the proposed constitutional change; a no vote opposes it.

Amendment 1 — Lieutenant Governor Vacancies, Pay, and Legislative Travel: The proposal would establish an election process to fill a qualifying vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office. It would also authorize lawmakers to set that officeholder’s pay and legislative officers’ pay by joint resolution. In addition, an elected legislative officer would have to approve legislative travel expenditures.

Amendment 2 — County School-System Mergers: Neighboring county school boards could agree to combine their systems under a new process. However, the State Board of Education would first study the merger’s effects and publish its findings. A written protest from at least 25 percent of qualified voters in any affected system would trigger a referendum requirement. Approval would then require a majority in each affected county and an overall majority across the affected counties.

Amendment 3 — Pledge of Allegiance and Student-Led Prayer: School boards would adopt policies for a daily Pledge in public K-12 schools. Schools would conduct it at the beginning of each school day. They would also adopt policies allowing student-initiated, student-led prayer. However, participation would remain voluntary. Students could opt out of the Pledge or prayer based on their beliefs.

Amendment 4 — National Anthem in Schools: School boards would adopt policies for the national anthem in public K-12 schools. Schools would broadcast its first stanza at least weekly during school hours. Alternatively, schools could allow a performance by an approved band, choir, vocal group, or vocalist using the Library of Congress version.

Before voting, review the full proposals and your county’s official sample ballot. Local questions and races vary, so the statewide amendment review does not replace checking your own ballot.

Absentee Ballots and Last-Minute Questions

Alabama’s regular hand-delivery deadline is today, Monday, Nov. 2, by the absentee election manager’s close of business, no later than 5 p.m. However, mailed absentee ballots must reach that office by noon Tuesday. Special rules apply to military, overseas, and qualifying emergency voters.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s regular absentee ballots must reach the county elections office by 7 p.m. Eastern Tuesday. A postmark alone does not meet that deadline. Georgia’s early voting ended Friday, Oct. 30, and drop boxes operate only during designated early-voting hours.

If you still hold a Georgia absentee ballot but want to vote in person instead, contact election officials for cancellation instructions. For other questions, contact your county election office before heading out. Also allow time to vote before your state’s polls close.

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