Government

Tyson Handily Wins Reelection to Jefferson County Commission

A jubilant Sheila Tyson celebrated with supporters Tuesday night after she won a second term representing District 2 on the Jefferson County Commission. As the DJ at L.I.T on 8th played McFadden and Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” the former Birmingham City Council member declared that she had defeated the Rev. Steve Small Jr. “With 55 percent of the boxes in, I am at 86 percent of the vote,” Tyson declared. “Our goal was 52 percent of the vote.” At the end of the night, Tyson had held onto that lead, logging 86.5 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Sheriff Mark Pettway Cruises to Victory in Democratic Primary; Likely Second Term in Fall

Incumbent Mark Pettway, who made history four years ago when he was elected Jefferson County’s first Black sheriff, on Tuesday won the 2022 Democratic primary for the office and likely reelection to a second term in November. According to unofficial results with 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Pettway received 35,368 votes or 76 percent, against three challengers — Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin, a former sheriff’s office deputy of 30 years; Kareem Easley, a Birmingham Police Department sergeant and Wilson Hale, Alabama State Trooper and former U.S. Army First Sergeant. Read more.

by Barnett Wright and Ryan Michaels, The Birmingham Times

JeffCo Hears About Juvenile Justice Efforts

The Jefferson County Commission saw an extensive presentation Tuesday morning on the entities involved with youth detention and the juvenile justice system. After hearing about rehabilitation, recidivism and the humanity of the young people in the system, commissioners learned that they’ll have to tune in next time to find out what’s being sought monetarily. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Voting on the Light Side This Afternoon at Jefferson County Polls

Probate Judge James Naftel spent part of Tuesday afternoon driving around to precincts to check voter turnout and to determine whether there were any problems. There was one glitch in the morning, when county election staff had to reconnect some precincts that were without Wi-Fi earlier Friday, Naftel said. As of 2:30, an estimated 45,035 voters, or about 10% of Jefferson County’s registered voters, had voted, although Naftel said that number was tentative and changing throughout the day. Polls close across the county at 7 p.m. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Birmingham Council Says ‘No’ to Storage Facility

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to deny a rezoning request from developers of a proposed mini-storage facility in the city’s Oxmoor neighborhood after outcry from residents. The proposed development, which would have been at 801 Tom Martin Drive, would have repurposed a property vacated by the Internal Revenue Service in 2018. It would have created 166 new storage units for boats and recreational vehicles as well as a wash bay for those vehicles. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Alabama Democrats Hope for Improved Showing in 2022 Elections

Republicans hold all statewide offices plus supermajorities in the state legislature. But Alabama Democrats are in a good position this year, according to the head of the Alabama Democratic Party. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

Voter FAQ

Find your polling place, political districts and other voting information. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

ID You Can Use at the Polls

Information from the Secretary of State’s Office You must show a valid photo ID at the polls before you’re allowed to vote. If you don’t have one of the IDs, you should be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. If you don’t have one of the accepted IDs, you can apply for a voter photo

by BirminghamWatch

WBHM Kicks Off 7-Part Podcast on Alabama and Mississippi’s Prison Crises

WBHM’s Mary Scott Hodgin Talks With Brittany Brown of the Gulf States Newsroom About Issues Plaguing Alabama and Mississippi Prisons. Read more.

by Brittany Brown, Gulf States Newsroom

One Amendment on Ballots Would OK Bonds for State Parks

An amendment on the ballot Tuesday would authorize the state to issue $85 million in bonds to pay for improvements at state parks and historical sites. Read more.

by Virginia Martin