Ala. Code § 17-13-12: Returning Officers.

The inspector shall perform the duty of precinct returning officer as in general elections, unless someone else has been named and designated as authorized by law. It shall be the duty of the inspector or the duty of such returning officer as may be otherwise legally named and designated, as the case may be, to return and deliver to the sheriff, who is the county returning officer, or the sheriff’s designee, at the office of the judge of probate at the county seat or at such other place as designated by the judge of probate, the ballots and returns. The ballots and returns shall not be allowed to leave the county returning officer’s possession, except as provided by state and federal law.