By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As other states develop plans for expanding vote-by-mail options for the November elections, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill confirmed there will be no direct mail voting in Alabama this year.

In a tweet responding to President Donald Trump's claim that vote-by-mail will cause the "greatest rigged election in history," Merrill said: 

"Don't worry @realDonaldTrump, WE WILL NOT have direct mail in voting in Alabama! We have provided an excuse provision for anyone that wants to vote absentee and our polling sites will be open for anyone that wants to vote in person! Keep working hard to Make America Great Again!"

The current deadline to register to vote in the July 14 Republican primary runoff is Monday, June 29. The deadline for absentee applications is Thursday, July 9 with the return deadline set for close of business on Monday, July 13. For more information, please visit the Alabama Secretary of State website at sos.alabama.gov.