Make sure you’re registered to vote in municipal elections
Qualifying has officially started for municipal elections. Prospective candidates who haven’t qualified have until 5 p.m. on June 24 to do so.
And if you’re a resident of a city, make sure you are registered so you can vote on Aug. 26 Minimum qualifications for public service in Alabama are: For mayor and city council candidates the qualifications are: 1) Must be 18 years of age. 2) Must be a resident of the city or their respective district for 90 days prior to election.
3) Must be a resident of the state for at least 90 days.
4) Must be a U.S. resident for at least 1 day.
Each candidate also must file a Statement of Economic Interests form with the Alabama Ethics Commission to be able to have their name appear on the ballot.
Anyone having questions about the form, or needing more information, can call 334-242-2997, or they can send an email to candidates@ ethics.alabama.gov.
The campaigning for mayoral and council positions has ramped up considerably in the past few weeks. More and more political signs are cropping up in yards and fields alongside major thoroughfares in all our cities. Announcements from candidates are filled with fresh promises of new ideas and renewed pledges to continue pressing for progress, and candidates are beginning to show up more frequently at community events that offer the chance to do some glad handing and politicking.
It’s all part of the pre-election jockeying prior to election day.
Runoffs, if needed, will be held Sept. 23.
New terms will begin on Nov. 3.
For voters, there are also some key deadlines they need to remember. They include:
• July 27 is the last day to establish residency to vote for the municipal general election.
• Aug. 11 is the last day to register to vote for the municipal election.
• Aug. 18, any absentee applicant who has not included a copy of an acceptable ID but who is otherwise qualified to vote shall be issued a provisional absentee ballot.
• Aug. 19 is the last day to receive an application for a regular absentee ballot by mail.
• Aug. 21 is the last day for a voter to hand deliver an application for a regular absentee ballot. It is also the last day to publish the list of qualified voters.
• Aug. 25 is the last day for a voter to apply for an emergency absentee ballot.
Municipal elections are very important, and yet most city elections have significantly lower turnout compared to presidential and state and county elections. This allows a smaller portion of the population to make crucial decisions impacting the wider community.
Residents of Franklin County have the chance in the next few weeks to get involved and make a difference in this year’s municipal elections.
If you are not registered to vote, get registered by Aug. 11. If you plan on voting by absentee ballot, make sure you receive an application by Aug. 19, and turn it in by Aug. 21.
