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2020 Voter Guide
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2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide
Voters head to the polls Nov. 3 for what could be a record-breaking election. At the top of the ticket is the Donald Trump-Joe Biden showdown for the White House. But Alabama also has to decide whom to send to the U.S. Senate, former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, a Republican, or Sen. Doug Jones, who three years ago was the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in 25 years. Also up for grabs are races for the Alabama Public Service Commission presidency and a seat on the state Board of Education. In Jefferson County, contested races also include a district court judgeship, deputy treasurer, tax assessor, assistant tax assessor and assistant tax collector. Voters also have six amendments to decide – seven in Shelby County. The BirminghamWatch 2020 Voter Guide gives you information to navigate through the voting process. You’ll find profiles of the candidates, an explanation of the amendments, printable sample ballots and information about voting and going to the polls. Read more. BirminghamWatch 2020 Voter Guide
Printable Sample Ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties
List of Candidates with Profiles
Your Guide to Alabama’s 2020 Constitutional Amendments
Voters' FAQs.
Jones Runs Aggressive Campaign to Maintain Senate Seat for the Democrats
With a Commanding Lead in Polls, Tuberville Shuns Media and Jones While Embracing Trump
Poll Watchers Have Strict Rules to Follow, and So Do Others at the Polls
Check your registration status, find your polling place and check the status of your absentee ballot
Maria Fortune, 2020 election
Jefferson County District Court, Place 2 Maria Fortune Democrat Hometown: Vestavia Hills Political experience: Appointed to the Jefferson County District Court bench after Judge Shanta Owens left for the Circuit Court bench; currently presides over Drug Court in the Criminal Division. Professional experience: Started her career as a deputy public defender in Colorado before joining the Denver
Eyrika Parker, 2020 general election
Jefferson County Treasurer Eyrika Parker Democrat Age: 46 Hometown: Birmingham Political experience: Ran for Jefferson County circuit clerk in 2018 but lost in the primary runoff. Professional experience: Has worked in a variety of fields, from law to media. Shortly after earning her law degree, Parker started working in the circuit clerk’s office in 2005 as
Belinda Palmer McRae, 2020 general election
State Board of Education, District 7 Belinda Palmer McRae Party: Republican Hometown: Hamilton Political experience: Vice chair of the Alabama State GOP Executive Committee and vice chair of the Marion County Republican Party. Professional experience: Worked as a K-12 educator for 25 years and as an adjunct instructor at Bevill State Community College for more than 10
Shanta’ Owens, 2020 general election
ALABAMA 10th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, PLACE 2 Shanta’ Owens Democrat Age: 41 Residence: Birmingham. Political Experience: Appointed to Circuit Court in 2019 by Gov. Key Ivey; elected district judge in 2008 and 2014. Education: Alabama State University, B.S.; Louisiana State University School of Law, J.D.; also attended Université D’Aix-Marseille III in Aix-en-Provence, France, earning a Bachelor
William C. “Bill” Thompson, 2020 general election
Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1 William C. “Bill” Thompson Republican Age: 58 Residence: Vestavia Hills Political Experience: Elected to the Court of Civil Appeals, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014. Presiding judge since 2007. Professional Experience: Practiced law in Birmingham and Montgomery, assistant legal adviser to the late Gov. Guy Hunt. Member of Judicial Inquiry
Patrick James Ballard, 2020 general election
Circuit Court Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Place 10 Patrick James Ballard Democrat Age: 66 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: Candidate for Circuit Court judge, 2012; Circuit Court judge since January 2015. Professional Experience: Solo practitioner, Ballard Law Firm. from May 1, 2000 to January 2015; previously 15 years in construction industry. Education: Texas A&M University, B.S., 1976;
2020 Voter Guide: Jones Meets Tuberville in Scrimmage to Claim U.S. Senate Seat
U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the first Democrat Alabama has elected to the Senate in 25 years, is running an aggressive campaign to keep the seat and show he’s no one-hit wonder. He’s facing off against Tommy Tuberville, former Auburn University head football coach who is trying to reclaim the seat for the Republicans, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Jones Runs Aggressive Campaign to Maintain Senate Seat for the Democrats
Was Doug Jones’ victory a fluke?
That’s been the prevailing question since November 2017’s special election, when Jones narrowly edged out Roy Moore for the Alabama Senate seat vacated by then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Jones, an attorney from Birmingham, became the deep-red state’s first Democratic senator in a quarter-century, though many attributed the upset to the allegations of sexual misconduct that plagued his far-right opponent. Read more.
With a Commanding Lead in Polls, Tuberville Shuns Media and Jones While Embracing Trump
Tommy Tuberville has never run for political office in his life. But now he’s running for the United States Senate like he’s an incumbent.
He’s keeping his head down and avoiding mistakes.
If pre-election polling is correct, the game plan is working. Read more.
BirminghamWatch’s 2020 Voter Guide