MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama's top election official has extended the deadline for applying for an absentee ballot for military and National Guard personnel deployed to help victims of Superstorm Sandy.

The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot was Thursday, but Secretary of State Beth Chapman said the law gives her the ability to provide extra time for military voters. She said deployed military voters, including National Guard members, can apply for an absentee ballot through Monday by sending a fax or email to their county's absentee election manager. They may request electronic transmission of the absentee ballot.

The voted ballots have to be postmarked by Tuesday, and counties can receive those ballots to be counted until Nov. 16.

Chapman said the law does not allow an extension for non-military relief workers.

A spokesman for the Alabama National Guard, Capt. Andrew Richardson, said some units have been on standby for storm relief work, but it does not appear they will have to be mobilized.