Government

Jefferson County Will Take on Improvements for Medical West Development

The Jefferson County Commission took a step toward supporting Medical West hospital’s making its new home in McCalla with the rezoning of four parcels bordering Interstate 459. Today’s action rezones the property from A-1 agricultural to institutional-2. Medical West is an affiliate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System. The rezoning came with repeated reference to the hospital having to remain in unincorporated Jefferson County. Read more.

Two Days Left to Apply for Absentee Ballots

Thursday is the deadline to apply for absentee ballots to vote in the June 14 primary runoffs. The voter then has through Monday, the day before the election, to submit the ballot. Read more.

2020 Primary Runoff Voter Guide: Your Source of Information for the July 14 Election

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill expects the state runoff elections on July 14 to go smoothly, despite the complications of having an election during a pandemic. He’s predicting a voter turnout of 17% to 22%, which is higher than turnout in the 2014 and 2016 party runoffs, when 11% and 12% of voters, respectively, cast ballots. That’s despite a thin ballot. Only two statewide races are on the Republican runoff ballot and none on the Democratic ballot. But one of those Republican races is the fierce battle between Tommy Tuberville and Jeff Sessions to capture the party’s nomination to the U.S. Senate. An appellate court race also is on the ballot, along with local runoffs in some counties. Read more. BirminghamWatch has put together a Voter Guide with information you’ll need before heading to the polls or filling out that absentee ballot. Inside you’ll find:

What’s on the Ballot?

Candidate Profiles

Voters’ Runoff Toolbox

Voters’ Toolbox for July 14 Primary Runoffs

Who can vote in this election? The July 14 election is a primary runoff. If you voted in the primary election, you may vote in the same party’s runoff. For instance, if you voted a Democratic ballot on March 3, you may vote in the Democratic runoff. But you cannot “cross over” and vote in

Candidate Profiles

Profiles and contributions for each candidate. Read more.

What’s on the Ballot?

Races on the ballot for the July 14 primary runoffs Read more.

Roderick “Rod” Scott

Jefferson County Treasurer Roderick “Rod” Scott Democrat Residence: Fairfield Political experience: Member, Alabama House of Representatives, District 55, 2006-present. Professional experience: Professor, Miles College, Fairfield. Education: Master of  Business Administration, Dartmouth College, Amos Tuck School of Business Administration; bachelor’s in economics, Yale University. Main Issue: Careful stewardship of the county’s money. Campaign: Elect Rod Scott

Eyrika Parker

Jefferson County Treasurer Eyrika Parker Democrat Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Unsuccessful run for Jefferson County circuit clerk, 2018. Professional experience: Employee of Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s office, 2005; project management, document review for the termination and sale of Trust Department of SouthTrust Bank, 2006; project management, litigation of Oracle vs. Google production of over one

Will Smith

Alabama Criminal Court of Appeals Place 2 Will Smith Party: Republican Age: 56 Residence: Killen Political experience: Lauderdale County commissioner from 2006 to 2008. Appointed Lauderdale County license commissioner by Gov. Robert Bentley. Professional experience: Has been in a private law practice for nearly three decades, licensed in Alabama, Georgia and before the United States

Beth Kellum, 2020 general election

Alabama Criminal Court of Appeals Place 2 J. Elizabeth “Beth” Kellum (I) Party: Republican Residence: Montgomery area Political experience: Elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2008. She worked as a congressional intern for Rep. Walter Flowers in Washington, D.C., in 1978. Professional experience: Began work in 1985 as an assistant attorney general in