Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Another four years have come and gone, and now the United States is gearing up for yet another presidential election. But first, the primaries. The primary election in the state of Alabama will be held March 5th where, through the votes of the public, each political party selects their candidates for a number of positions for the general election this November.
Almost all information in regard to elections, absentee voting, voting with disabilities, military and overseas voting, voting requirements and where to vote can be found on the Alabama Secretary of state website.
“The secretary of state website can be overwhelming because there is so much information, but it can be a great resource right there at hand. Alabamavotes.gov is another great resource. If you click on “my voting information” and put in your name and date of birth, it will give you where you vote, what district and all the information you’ll need for the upcoming elections,” Autauga County Probate Judge Kim Kervin said.
Voter registration is currently open; however voter registration does close 14 days before an election. To register to vote, go to the secretary of state website or at your county’s Board of Registrars, Autauga County Board of Registrars is at 218 North Court St. in Prattville. Elmore County’s Board of Registrars is located at 100 E Commerce St #205, in Wetumpka.
Absentee voting is also available for the primaries, and general election. This is reserved for individuals that are out of the country, who are physically ill or have a disability. This is also reserved for military personnel where they cannot personally go and cast their vote at the polls. More information about military and overseas absentee voting can be found on the Secretary of State website.
For the primaries, all polls in the state of Alabama will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the election. At the polls, a poll worker will take down the name of the individual voting and legal photo identification to check for voter registration. Legal photo ID in the state of Alabama includes valid driver’s license, valid nondriver ID, valid free Alabama voter ID card, valid passport, valid military ID, valid federal ID as well as other up to date forms of photo identification. A free application for a voter ID is also available on the Secretary of State website.
“Before we get ready for a presidential election, we start in the middle of last year to prepare and get things ready. We have been working on the upcoming elections pretty much year-round. Our goal is to have safe, secure and efficient elections. We want it so people aren’t waiting in line too long to cast their vote and every interaction they have with the procedure, they feel like it is a safe and secure as well as efficient process,” Autauga County Elections Manager Danielle Gantt said.
However, whether you live in Autauga County, Elmore County or beyond, making sure voter information is up to date and ready to go before March 5th, is crucial and essential for anyone who wishes to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Below is a list of the certified candidates for both Autauga and Elmore Counties.
Autauga County Republican Candidates:
Dee Dee Calhoon – Circuit Court Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit, place 4
Nicole Clark – Circuit Court Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit, place 4
Jacquelyn Tomlinson – Circuit Court Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit, place 4
Jessica Sander – District Court Judge, Autauga County
Kyle Shirley – District Court Judge, Autauga County
Don Meeks – Autauga County Commission District 3
Bill Tatum – Autauga County Commission District 3
Jay Thompson – Autauga County Commission District 4
Dallas Reese – Autauga County Commission District 4
Terry Tanner – Autauga County Commission District 5
Autauga County Democratic Candidates:
Larry Stoudemire – Autauga County Commission District 5
Elmore County Republican Candidates:
Jason Britt – Elmore County Probate Judge
Vickie Bonner Ward – Elmore County Probate Judge
Henry R. Hines – Elmore County Commission District 1
Byron Mulder – Elmore County Commission District 1
Jennifer Bennett – Elmore County Commission District 2
Brad Davis – Elmore County Commission District 2
Robert Brent Langley – Elmore County Commission District 2
Dennis Hill – Elmore County Commission District 3
Bert Mercer – Elmore County Commission District 4
Desirae Lewis Jackson – Elmore County Commission District 5
David Jones – Elmore County Board of Education District 3
Jason Lett – Elmore County Board of Education District 7
Justin D. Pack – Elmore County Board of Education District 7
Elmore County Democratic Candidates:
Wendell Howell Saxon – Elmore County Commission District 2
Jacquelyn Long Thomas – Elmore County Commission District 5
