elections

In less than three weeks, on Nov. 3, local voters will decide on their choice for president, a U.S. senate seat, a Congressional House seat, President of the Public Service Commission, two county commission seats, state amendments and one local amendment that will affect only Fayette County. During the “Year of the Coronavirus Crisis,” many voters will exercise the option allowed by Alabama Secretary of State John Merrell to vote an absentee ballot. However, thousands of other Alabama voters will gather at the polls on election day to cast their ballots in person.

The only municipal election within the county this year will occur on Aug. 25 in the City of Fayette, with every position on the ballot being contested. Seeking the position of mayor, replacing retiring Mayor Ray Nelson, will be: Kevin Bass, Rod Northam, Max Weaver and current City Councilman Cedric Wilson. Vying for office in Ward One are Steve Herring, Kevin Rhudy and Virettia L. Whiteside. Ward One Councilwoman Linda McCraw is not seeking re-election. In Ward Two, incumbent Councilman Eddy D. Campbell will face challenger Floyd Rogers Jr. for the position.

The long-awaited July 14 primary runoff election features no Democratic ballot and a short Republican ballot for eligible voters. Voters who voted in the Democratic primary on March 3 are barred by law from “crossing over” and voting in the Republican runoff primary on July 14.
Voters who did not vote in the March 3 primary, or who only voted on the Constitutional amendments, are eligible to vote in the runoff, along with the Republican primary voters.

Following the postponement of the March 31 primary runoff election to July 14, Secretary of State John H. Merrill reminds Alabamians of the option to vote by absentee ballot. “Amid coronavirus concerns, it is important to remember that Alabamians who are concerned about contracting or spreading an illness have the opportunity to avoid the polls on Election Day by casting an absentee ballot,” shared Secretary Merrill. “Alabamians can access the application online or by visiting or calling their local Absentee Election Manager’s office.”

Qualifying for next year’s primaries and general election opens Tuesday, Oct. 8 and will end on Friday, Nov. 8. Local offices on the ballot will include county commission seats in districts two, four, five and six. Fayette County Board of Education seats up for election will include districts four and five.