Increase in absentee ballots

Madison county probate judge frank barger is preparing for an election day like no other.

He says absentee ballots are up 100-percent compared to the last presidential election in 2016-- and could reach 200-percent by october 29th.

Waay 31's casey albritton learned how poll workers are getting ready for the increase.

Judge barger "yesterday we exceeded roughly 20,000 absentee applications.

In past presidential elections, we see that number hover usually around 10,000, so covid has surely increased the number."

Madison county probate judge frank barger says he expects to see record absentee ballot numbers this election.

Judge barger "it's not surprising for us to see nearly triple or 200% in the number of absentee ballot applications."

Barger says usually absentee ballots are counted starting at noon on election day.

Judge barger "we are going to start at 7am, just the same as when polls open, so we will have additional time to count those ballots and we will have a lot more manpower than we would normally have."

He says this year, madison county will have 30 absentee ballot counters...and three to four hundred backup volunteers judge barger "if we have an emergency or feel there is a shortage."

Tara bailey/ voter "nobody can plan for unforeseen circumstances.

I want to make sure my vote is counted this election."

Voter, tara bailey, says she understands why absentee ballots are so popular this year.

Tara bailey/ voter "i don't want to come election day and have my plan to be to go to one of the polling locations and then i, myself, maybe put in quarantine or come down with covid."

And after voting absentee, herself, she decided to start an organization called, "i vote madison" to help others.

Tara bailey/ voter "somebody who has an in-home printer, getting an absentee ballot application printed off in order to mail it in."

The group provides photo copies of i-ds, envelopes and witness signatures.

And barger says he encourages people to choose the absentee ballot method.

Judge barger "by all means, do it soon, do not wait until the last minute."

"i vote madison" will help voters every saturday in october from 10 a-m to 2 p-m at the madison public library.

The lauderdale county probate judge told us he expects to see more people choosing to vote early through the absentee process.

Technically - alabama doesn't have an early voting period.

But -- you can go to your courthouse and fill out the absentee paperwork - and cast your ballot on the same day.

You do have to mark your reason for voting early absentee.

There's even more help available in madison county if you're voting absentee.

Plainview church of christ will serve as an absentee voter assistance site tomorrow.

It will be open from 9 to 4.

You can get help with your application, notary services and