Cottonwood, Alabama Public Records

Alabama residents can register to vote online through the Alabama Secretary of State's website at www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration, or by submitting a paper National Mail Voter Registration Form to the Houston County Registrar. State law requires registration at least 15 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Alabama residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and not disqualified by felony conviction unless rights have been restored. Valid Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID number is required for online registration; those without either must register by mail or in person. As an incorporated municipality, Cottonwood conducts elections for mayor and town council positions on a four-year cycle. The most recent municipal election occurred in August 2020; the next is scheduled for August 2024 (if not already held) or 2028 depending on the town's specific schedule. Municipal election information, including candidate qualifying dates, sample ballots, and local referenda, is typically available through Cottonwood Town Hall at (334) 691-6295 or through the Houston County elections office. Alabama municipal elections are generally held on the first Tuesday in August. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Alabama Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/VoterView, which requires entering name and date of birth or voter ID number. Polling places are assigned based on precinct boundaries, with local voters casting ballots at designated locations within or near the town. Alabama election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (available for purchase by qualified requesters), campaign finance reports (filed with the Alabama Secretary of State and accessible at www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/campaign-finance), candidate qualifying information, and certified election results by precinct. The Houston County Probate Office maintains historical election results and precinct-level vote tallies as public record. In the November 2024 presidential election, Houston County reported voter turnout of approximately 55-60% of registered voters, consistent with typical Alabama turnout patterns in presidential election years. Specific precinct data for the area would be available through the Houston County elections office. The November 3, 2026 general election will be a critical midterm election for Alabama voters. Races on the ballot will include Alabama's U.S. Senate seat (Class III, currently held by the appointed senator filling a vacancy or the incumbent depending on 2024-2025 developments), all seven of Alabama's U.S. House seats (Cottonwood is in Congressional District 2), the Governor of Alabama (as 2026 is a gubernatorial election year in Alabama), other statewide constitutional offices including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Agriculture Commissioner, all 105 Alabama House of Representatives seats and approximately half of the 35 Alabama State Senate seats (Cottonwood is served by State House District 93 and State Senate District 28), Houston County offices including County Commission seats, Sheriff, Revenue Commissioner, and other county positions, and Houston County school board positions. Alabama also may have statewide constitutional amendment referenda. Alabama offers absentee voting for eligible voters. Any qualified voter may request an absentee ballot without providing an excuse. Applications are available at www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/absentee-voting or through the Houston County Board of Registrars. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Thursday before the election (or Saturday for medical emergencies). Completed absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on election day or postmarked by election day and received within a specified timeframe. Photo ID requirements apply to absentee voting, with voters required to provide a copy of acceptable photo identification with their ballot or complete an affidavit.