Opelika, Alabama Public Records

The state requires voters to present valid photo identification at the polls, including Alabama driver's licenses, non-driver ID cards, Alabama photo voter ID cards, government employee IDs, U.S. Passports, military IDs, or student IDs from Alabama colleges. The city holds municipal elections for mayor and city council seats under a mayor-council government structure with five council members representing geographic districts. These elections typically occur every four years in August, with the next scheduled for August 2024 and subsequently in 2028. Candidates file with the Opelika City Clerk, and local ballot measures such as tax referenda may appear alongside candidate races. Information about city candidates and local issues is available through the city clerk's office at 334-705-5100 and at www.opelika-al.gov. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the polling place locator at https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/VoterView or by contacting the Lee County Registrar's Office. Polling locations throughout the city include schools, churches, and community centers, with assignments based on residential address and precinct boundaries. The county operates 26 precincts with multiple locations in both Opelika and Auburn. Alabama public election records include voter registration lists, which campaigns and political organizations can purchase for election related purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Alabama Secretary of State and accessible at https://fcpa.alabamavotes.gov, showing contributions and expenditures. Candidate qualification documents and precinct-level election results are public records available through the Lee County Registrar and Secretary of State. Individual voter history, which elections someone voted in, but not how they voted, is part of the public voter file. In the November 2024 presidential election, Lee County recorded approximately 65,000-70,000 registered voters with turnout around 55-60%, reflecting the area's engagement in major elections. The county historically votes Republican in statewide and national elections, though local races can be competitive. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters in the city and throughout Lee County will decide several important races. Alabama's gubernatorial election will be held in 2026, as Governor Kay Ivey's term expires (assuming she does not seek re-election, she would be 82). All Alabama constitutional offices including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and others will be on the ballot. All 140 seats in the Alabama Legislature (105 House, 35 Senate) will be contested, including the districts representing Opelika. One U.S. Senate seat may be up depending on the election cycle, along with Alabama's 3rd Congressional District representative. Lee County constitutional offices including Sheriff, Revenue Commissioner, Probate Judge, Circuit Clerk, District Court Judge, and county commissioners will likely appear on the 2026 ballot depending on term schedules. Any municipal or school board special elections may also occur. Alabama offers absentee voting by mail for voters who are away from their county on election day, ill, elderly, working required shifts, or have other qualifying reasons. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Lee County Absentee Election Manager (part of the Registrar's Office) with specific deadlines before each election. Applications are available at https://www.alabamavotes.gov or by calling 334-737-3635. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by election day to be counted. Alabama does not have early in-person voting or no-excuse absentee voting; voters must have a qualifying reason. Photo ID requirements apply to absentee voting as well.