Panola, Alabama Public Records

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Alabama residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and provide a valid Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID number. Photo ID is required to vote in person at polling places throughout the state. As an unincorporated community, Panola has no municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents vote exclusively in county, state, and federal elections. County races include the Sumter County Commission, Sheriff, Revenue Commissioner, Probate Judge, Circuit Clerk, and other constitutional offices. The county holds these elections on the same schedule as state general elections, with primaries typically in May or June and general elections in November of even-numbered years. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the Alabama Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at www.alabamavotes.gov or by contacting the Sumter County Probate Court. Polling locations are assigned based on residential address and precinct boundaries. Sample ballots and precinct maps are available through the Sumter County Probate office prior to elections. Alabama public records law makes certain election records publicly available. Voter registration lists can be purchased from the county for legitimate purposes. Campaign finance reports for county and state candidates are filed with the Alabama Secretary of State's Ethics Commission and are searchable online at ethics.alabama.gov. Candidate qualifying information and ballot measure details are public records available through the Probate Court and Secretary of State. Precinct-level election results are posted by the county and compiled by the Secretary of State after each election. Alabama will hold elections for statewide constitutional offices including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other cabinet positions, all of which serve four-year terms. All seven Alabama congressional seats in the U.S. One Alabama seat in the U.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Panola voters are published by the Alabama Secretary of State (https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes). The Alabama State Legislature races will include all 105 Alabama House seats and approximately half of the 35 Alabama Senate seats depending on district. Sumter County voters will elect county constitutional officers including Sheriff, Probate Judge, Revenue Commissioner, and County Commission members, depending on the election cycle for each office. Voters should check with the Sumter County Probate Court closer to the election for a complete list of races and any local ballot measures. Absentee voting in Alabama is available to voters who meet specific criteria established by state law. The state offers absentee voting by mail for voters who will be absent from the county on election day, are ill or have a physical disability, work required shifts that prevent voting, are students or spouses/dependents of students, are appointed election officers working in a different precinct, or meet other statutory qualifications. Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded from AlabamaVotes.gov or obtained from the Sumter County Probate Court. Applications must be submitted to the Probate Court, and ballots must be returned by the close of polls on election day. Alabama does not offer universal no-excuse absentee voting; voters must qualify under one of the permitted reasons. Emergency absentee provisions exist for medical emergencies within five days of an election.