Morgan County voters will be reminded of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic when they go vote in the primary election runoff July 14, as precautions will be in place designed to safeguard voters’ health and well-being.

“Signage will be used to encourage social distancing; hand sanitizer, face masks and gloves will be available; and protective screens will be used,” said Kate Terry, Morgan County election supervisor. “We’ll even use non-reusable pens for voters to sign their names and mark their ballots.”

“Poll locations are the same as they were for the primary election in March,” she added. “They will open at 7 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m.”

The statewide ballot highlights a hard-fought race of national prominence. Former

U.S. senator Jeff Sessions is seeking to regain the Republican seat he gave up in 2016 to accept a presidential appointment as U.S. attorney general. Former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville is his opponent.

The winner will face U.S. senator Doug Jones, a Democrat.

A race for an appellate judgeship is also on the statewide ballot.

Locally, a Morgan County Place 2 judgeship is up for grabs, with Emily Baggett facing Kevin Kusta.

According to the secretary of state’s office, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the state of emergency, any qualified voter who determines it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at the polling place is eligible to check the box on the absentee ballot application that is most applicable to their situation. In the event none of the boxes are appropriate, voters can check the box that reads: “I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. (ID required).”

For the July 14 runoff, the deadline to register to vote is June 29. The deadline to submit an absentee ballot application is July 9. The deadline to return an absentee ballot to the absentee election manager is the close of business July 13, and the last day to postmark an absentee ballot is July 13.

Voters can contact the Morgan County circuit court clerk at 256-351-4848 or the secretary of state’s office at 334-242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application.