2018 Election

Alabama Votes Today

The recent redrawing of Alabama’s legislative districts is causing some confusion at the polls today. Barry Stephenson, Jefferson County Board of Registrars chairman, said he spent a chunk of his morning fielding calls from voters who didn’t realize their state House districts had been changed. “The state settled the lawsuit to redraw some of the State House districts and we implemented that in February,” said Stephenson, “It changed probably 30 to 40 percent of our voters’ districts, and they’re just now noticing.” Voters were mailed information about the change, but, still, when they arrived at the polls, they were prepared to vote in a different district. Otherwise, voting in the county was progressing smoothly this morning as voters went to the polls to decide among 10 people vying for their party’s nomination for governor. All of the other top statewide races also are on the ballot, along with seats in the Legislature and many judgeships and county offices. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For BirminghamWatch’s guide to today’s election, including sample ballots, profiles of candidates, tools to find your polling place or report a problem, read the Voter Guide.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr. and Cheryl Slocum

Electronic Voter Check-In is Expected to Make Voting More Efficient in Jefferson County. What Else is New at the Polls?

When voters in Jefferson County go to the polls Tuesday, they’ll be met not with signs telling them to line up according to their last names, but by poll workers with electronic poll books ready to sign them in. Voter check-in for Jefferson County’s registered voters goes fully electronic for the first time, rather than voters having to wait while poll workers look up names on printed paper lists. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must still verify their identity and choose to vote either a Republican or Democratic ballot. The state also has a new law that prohibits crossover voting. Voters may not vote in one party’s primary in June and then switch to vote in the other party’s runoff in July. Read more.

by Cheryl Slocum

Ivey Tripled Closest Competitor in Fundraising Last Week

Gov. Kay Ivey raised more than three times as much as her nearest competitor last week, continuing to far outpace her opponents as Republican and Democratic candidates for governor enter the final week of the campaign for the June 5 primary elections. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Richard A. Dickerson

Office: Jefferson County Commission, District 2 Party: Democratic Age: 62 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: None. Professional experience: President and CEO, RAD Communications; senior official, Clinton Administration; various senior roles, state and local government; director of strategic communications, USAID in Kandahar, Afghanistan; equity partner, EcoHouse; staff member, 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Civic experience: Public safety committee Education: Davis & Elkins

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Commissioner, Agriculture and Industries

Candidates for commissioner of agriculture and industries

by BirminghamWatch

Cecil L. Murphy Jr.

Secretary, Agriculture and Industries Cecil L. Murphy Jr. Party: Republican Residence: Loxley Professional Experience: Career technical and mathematics teacher; manager of family farm and timberland. Civic Experience:  Youth sports coach. Education: Bachelor’s in secondary mathematics, Auburn University; bachelor’s in secondary education, University of West Alabama. Main Issues: If elected, Murphy said he is committed to expanding

by Paul South

Tracy “T.O.” Crane

Office: Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Tracy “T.O.” Crane Party: Republican Residence: Kimberly Professional experience: President and CEO of Crane Intelligence; works in retail and security areas of food industries; certified protection professional for ASIS International security and member of its Food Defense and Agriculture Security Counsel; appointed member of the Alabama Private Investigators Board;

by Virginia Martin

WBHM Interviews Candidates for Governor

WBHM has been interviewing candidates vying to take over the Governor’s Office. Listen to the recordings.

by WBHM

2018 Primary Voter Guide: Are You Ready for the Big Election Day? Here’s Help Checking Races, Candidates.

Most Alabama voters have a lot of decisions to make before going to the polls June 5. All of the top statewide races are on the ballot and contested, many of them on both the Democratic and Republican sides. All of the seats in the Legislature are up for grabs this year, as are many judgeships and county offices. The state’s Democratic Party had seemed to be dwindling from a blue dot in a sea of red to something closer to a pin head. But Democrat Doug Jones’ surprise election to the U.S. Senate in December energized the party. Half again as many people signed on this year to run for the Democratic nomination to seats in the Legislature than did in 2014. More Democrats lined up to run for other local races, as well, though the increase wasn’t quite as large as for the Legislature. Even the Republican Party had a bump in people wanting to run for office this year, perhaps in a desire to stave off the threat of a Democratic resurgence. In Jefferson and Shelby counties, more than 60 races are contested by about 170 people who want their party’s nomination to run in the general election this fall. You need a scorecard to tell them apart. Read the Voter Guide.

by Virginia Martin

Who Are They?

About 170 names are on the June 5 ballot in Jefferson and Shelby County as candidates seek their party’s nomination to run in the general election. Read profiles of each candidate, including biographical information, the main issues they’re citing in their campaigns, their biggest contributors and links to more information. Find Your Candidates.

by The Voter Guide Team