Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  Voters across South Baldwin County are preparing to cast ballots in races that will shape state and local government. Residents of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley can also vote on proposed amendments to Alabama's Constitution. Knowing where to vote and what is on the ballot can help residents prepare for Election Day. This guide provides information on polling locations, voting hours, constitutional amendments, and resources for checking voter registration and viewing sample ballots.

Key Election Date

• 2026 General Election Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
• Poll Hours: Polls across Alabama are open on Election Day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Polling Locations in South Baldwin County

Polling locations are assigned based on your designated precinct. Below are key polling sites for Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley:

Gulf Shores

• Precinct 39: Erie H. Meyer Civic Center — 1930 West 2nd Street, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• Precinct 48: Gulf Shores Cultural Center — 19470 Oak Road West, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• Precinct 40: Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 — 12105 State Highway 180 West, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• Precinct 60: Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church - 308 East 22nd Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Orange Beach

• Precinct 41: Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf — 4671 Wharf Parkway West, Orange Beach, AL 36561
• Precinct 51 (Ono Island area): The Harriett Cockrell Center — 31692 Dolphin Drive, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Foley

• Precinct 38: Foley Civic Center — 407 East Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL 36535
• Precinct 3: St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Church - 601 W Laurel Ave, Foley, AL 36535
• Precinct 33: Graham Creek Interpretive Center — 23030 Wolf Bay Drive, Foley, AL 36535
• Precinct 47:  Foley United Methodist Church - 915 North Pine Street, Foley, AL 36535

To confirm your specific precinct assignment, register to vote, or request an absentee ballot, visit the official Alabama Secretary of State Elections Portal. You can also review additional general election details and sample ballots on the Baldwin County Election page.

Why Midterm Elections Matter

While presidential election cycles often capture national headlines, midterm elections carry a profound, direct impact on daily community life. During midterms, voters elect leaders who manage key state and local operations, including:

• Statewide Executive Offices: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and State Treasurer.
• Legislative Representation: State Senate and House members who author laws governing tax policy, education funding, and state infrastructure projects.
• Local Governance: County commissioners, local judges, school board members, and municipal leaders who directly control zoning, beach preservation, roads, and emergency services.

Midterm turnout is historically lower than in presidential elections, so individual votes carry significantly more weight in deciding local governance and key community initiatives.

Amendments on the Ballot

In addition to candidate races, Alabama voters will consider statewide and county-specific constitutional amendments. These ballot measures cover vital issues such as:

Amendment 1 — Lieutenant Governor: Establishes a process for electing a replacement lieutenant governor when the office becomes vacant early in a term. Also changes how certain legislative salaries are set and how legislative travel spending is approved.

Amendment 2 — School Consolidation: Establishes a process for merging two or more neighboring county school systems, including an impact study, public disclosure, and an opportunity to protest the consolidation.

Amendment 3 — Pledge and Prayer: Requires local school boards to adopt policies for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day and authorizing student-initiated, student-led prayer.

Amendment 4 — National Anthem: Requires public K–12 schools to broadcast or arrange for a performance of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner at least once each week during school hours.

Voters can review their specific sample ballot ahead of time through the Secretary of State's portal to see the exact wording and plain-language summaries.

A Closing Thought: Earning Your Voice

Imagine a world governed by a hypothetical law that forbids you from discussing political issues, debating policy, or voicing opinions on public matters unless you present a credential showing you voted in the previous election. While such a law would clash with foundational First Amendment free speech principles, the thought experiment serves as a compelling reminder of the relationship between civic duty and civic voice. Political opinions carry real power only when backed by action at the ballot box. Participating in each election ensures that your right to shape community decisions is not merely an opinion, but an active force driving local change.