CENTRE– Alabama counties will begin counting eligible provisional ballots at noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, one week after the general election. County officials then review the full returns before sending them to the state. In a close race such as Alabama Senate District 10, the margin at state certification determines whether the law requires a recount. Alabama’s 2026 election calendar

Friday, Nov. 6 | Voter ID Deadline

A provisional ballot allows someone to vote while election officials check whether the ballot can count. For example, a voter may cast one if officials cannot verify their registration at the polls. The county board of registrars reviews each case.

Voters who cast provisional ballots because they lacked required identification have until 5 p.m. Central Friday to provide it to their county board of registrars. They must also provide their address and phone number. If they miss the deadline, officials cannot count those ballots. Alabama Code § 17-10-2 · County registrar contacts

Tuesday, Nov. 10 | Provisional Ballot Count

The sheriff keeps the ballots sealed while registrars review the paperwork and determine voter eligibility. Registrars then send their certified findings to the probate judge by noon Tuesday. The county canvassing board begins counting eligible ballots at noon. It certifies that tally separately and posts it at the courthouse. Alabama Code § 17-10-2

Only part of DeKalb County lies in Senate District 10, so only certain ballot styles listed Jesse Battles and Andrew Jones. A DeKalb provisional ballot can affect the race if it qualifies for counting and contains a valid vote in that contest. Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn told the Sand Mountain Leader that DeKalb received 23 provisional ballots countywide. How many can add votes to District 10 remains unclear. DeKalb sample ballots · Sand Mountain Leader report

Tuesday can also bring a separate count of write-ins by name. Alabama requires one when write-ins for an office equal or exceed the gap between the top two candidates. If the secretary of state determines that the threshold has been met, the office must notify affected probate judges by noon Monday, Nov. 9. County officials would then tally the write-ins alongside the provisional ballots. Alabama Code § 17-6-28

The latest available unofficial state returns for District 10 show 20,341 votes for Battles, 20,289 for Jones, and 176 write-ins. The reported write-in total exceeds the 52-vote gap, which is about 0.13 percentage points. WEIS reported a 53-vote lead on election night, but the updated tally shows one more vote for Jones in Cherokee County. State-sourced District 10 returns · WEIS election night coverage

Friday, Nov. 13 | County Canvass

The full county canvass begins at noon Friday, Nov. 13. The probate judge, circuit clerk, and sheriff or a deputy normally make up the county canvassing board. The board meets at the courthouse to review and compile the precinct returns in public. The probate judge then forwards the county’s certified returns to the secretary of state. Alabama Code § 17-12-15 · Alabama Code § 17-12-9

By Wednesday, Nov. 25 | State Certification

The State Canvassing Board certifies the districtwide returns. The governor, secretary of state, and attorney general make up the board, and at least two must be present. Alabama law gives the state 22 days after the election, through Nov. 25, to certify the results. A separate law also directs the secretary of state to issue legislative election certificates within 10 days of receiving county returns. Alabama Code § 17-12-17 · Alabama Code § 17-12-21

When Alabama Requires a Recount

Alabama requires an automatic recount when the certified margin of defeat in a general election is 0.5% or less of the votes cast for the office. The unofficial District 10 margin falls within that range. The law, however, applies the threshold to the certified result. Alabama Code § 17-16-20

In a state Senate race, the defeated candidate can waive the recount in writing within 24 hours of state certification. The waiver goes to the secretary of state. Without a waiver, the recount must begin within 72 hours of state certification. Alabama Code § 17-16-20

Tuesday’s count adds eligible provisional votes to the returns. A recount, if required, runs the ballots through a counter again. If the machine rejects a ballot that counted the first time, officials count it by hand. The state pays for a Senate recount, and the canvassing authority then updates the certification to reflect the result. Alabama Code § 17-16-20

LOCAL NEWS