Government

Jones Tells Supporters He Can Beat Tuberville, Despite What Polls Say

Sen. Doug Jones visited his hometown of Fairfield on Saturday afternoon, one of many stops throughout Alabama during the final days of his re-election campaign. Standing in the parking lot of Urban Smoke Bar & Grill and flanked by his wife Louise, son Carson and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, Jones told supporters to disregard polls that show him trailing his opponent, former Auburn football head coach Tommy Tuberville. “We know better,” he said, urging his supporters to “remember the feeling” of his previous victory against Roy Moore in December 2017, which had also been a surprise. Jones argued he could pull off the same surprise in Tuesday’s election. He said his campaign’s internal polling data “is right where we want it.” Read more.

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

Hundreds Stand in Line to Vote Thursday, the Last Day to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

The line of absentee voters for Tuesday’s election was long and steady this morning outside the Park Place entrance to the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, with voters waiting up to an hour or more to enter the courthouse and proceed to the absentee vote manager’s office on the fifth floor. Today was the last day for Alabama voters to turn in absentee ballot applications to their county absentee voting manager, which in Jefferson County is the circuit clerk. Outside the courthouse in Birmingham, prospective voters were receiving numbered slips of paper that they needed to gain entry to the courthouse, and by 11:30 a.m., more than 400 had been given slips, with dozens waiting to get theirs. Read more.

Today is the Deadline to Apply to Vote by Absentee

Thursday is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot. So if you have decided that in-person absentee voting is your best option, it’s time to bite the bullet and go line up at the courthouse. Read more. Getting ready to vote? Find the information you need to make your decisions in the 2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide.

Some Jeffco Absentee Ballots in Jeopardy After Court Rulings

Up to 2,600 absentee ballots could be thrown out because of dueling court rulings over witness signatures on ballots. Jefferson County Probate Judge James Naftel on Wednesday said officials are working to see that every vote counts. Read more.

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