Absentee ballots are now available

Absentee ballots for the July 17 Republican runoff have arrived at the Escambia County (Ala.) Circuit Clerk's office and Circuit Clerk John Robert Fountain said he's already sent out about 15 ballots.

Applications for a runoff absentee ballot are available at the clerk's office at the courthouse in Brewton and the courthouse annex in Atmore. Applications can also be obtained through the secretary of state's website.

Completed ballots can be delivered to the clerk's office in Brewton or mailed. Fountain noted if the ballot is hand delivered it must be delivered by the person voting, not a family member or friend. He also said ballots mailed need to be post marked on or before July 16 to be counted.

There will not be any runoffs on the Democratic ticket in Escambia County. If someone voted in the Democratic Primary, they will not be allowed to vote in the Republican runoff. However, if a person did not vote in the primary, he or she is allowed to vote in the runoff.

Six Republican runoffs will appear on the ballot. Those races are: Will Ainsworth and Twinkle Andress Cavahaugh for lieutenant governor, Troy King and Steve Marshall for attorney general, Brad Mendheim and Sarah Hicks Stewart for associate justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Place 1, Christy Olinger Edwards and Michelle Manley Thomason for court of civil appeals Place 1, Rich Anderson and Chris McCool for court of criminal appeals Place 2 and Gerald Dial and Rick Pate for commissioner of agriculture and industries.

The deadline to register to vote in the July 17 runoff is July 2.