Special school mill tax election coming up for Tuscumbia

The majority of Tuscumbia residents are surely aware that 2024 is an election year.

After all, the people have already voted in a primary election just a month ago.

However, those wishing to fulfil their civic duty are not quite finished yet, at least for Tuscumbia residents.

According to Colbert County Circuit Clerk Mark Eady, there is a special election in Tuscumbia on May 21 on whether to renew the current 5.0 mill school tax.

“A lot of people don’t know about this vote,” Eady said. “We get the absentee ballots 55 days out from the election, and we typically start letting people (those that can prove why they need to vote absentee) vote that next week.”

Only those living within the Tuscumbia city limits can vote in this election.

According to Eady, those voting will go to their regular voting places just like when they are voting in county and state elections.

“Those wishing to vote absentee will vote through the Colbert County Clerk’s Office,” Eady said. “Voting has already begun. Voters can come into the office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and vote. The last day to vote in the office is on Thursday, May 16.”

Applications can be obtained by contacting the Colbert County Clerk’s Office at 256-386-8511. Those wishing to vote can also visit the clerk’s website at colbert.alacourt.gov, where they can download, print out, complete and return an application through the mail or by hand.

“Whether applying by hand or through the mail, the responsibility always lies with each voter to return their application. Only one application per envelope,” Eady said.

The last day to register to vote for this special election is May 6.

The last day to submit an application through the mail to vote absentee is May 14.

The last day to submit an application by hand to vote absentee is on May 16.

An absentee application for a voter who requires emergency treatment by a licensed physician within five days before an election may be forwarded to the absentee election manager by the applicant or by his or her designee.

Absentee ballots being returned by hand to the absentee election manager must be received no later than the close of business on the day prior the election (May 20).

Absentee ballots returned by mail to the absentee election manager must be received no later than noon on election day (May 21).

According to the Alabama Secretary of State website, a voter may cast an absentee ballot if he or she:

• expects to be absent from the county on election day.
• is ill or has a physical disability that prevents a trip to the polling place.
• is physically incapacitated and will not be able to vote in person because they cannot access their assigned polling place due to one of the following disabilities (neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, or other life-altering disorder that affects his or her ability to perform manual tasks, stand for any length of time, walk unassisted, see, hear or speak) and:a) he or she is an elderly voter aged 65 or older; or b) he or she is a voter with a disability.
• is a registered Alabama voter living outside the county, such as a member of the armed forces, a voter employed outside the united states, a college student, or a spouse or child of such a person.
• is an appointed election officer or poll watcher at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place.
• expects to work a required shift, 10-hours or more, that coincides with polling hours.
• is a caregiver for a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and the family member is confined to his or her home.
• is currently incarcerated in prison or jail and has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude.