City Sets Tentative Plans for Special Election In Wake of Tyner’s Death

Voters in Tuscaloosa's District 5 could elect Kip Tyner's successor on the City Council by December 8th, under a tentative special election calendar laid out by city officials Monday.

Tyner, the council president who represented Alberta for nearly three decades, died last week. His death leaves the District 5 seat empty and the biggest shoes imaginable to fill for whoever comes next.

City officials told the Thread that the dates below are the current plan, but could still change, and they will will send out a formal announcement once the schedule is final.

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As planned, the calendar runs as follows:

October 6th: City officially calls for the special election at their council meeting.

October 13th to 27th: Candidate qualifying period.

November 3rd: If only one candidate qualifies, the council will pass a resolution declaring that person elected, and they can be sworn in right after. If more than one qualifies, absentee voting is set to start that day, as long as all the needed ballots and supplies have arrived and been processed.

November 10th: The legal deadline to begin absentee voting.

December 8th: Special Election Day, if necessary

December 15th: The election is canvassed, and a runoff called if three or more candidates qualify to run and one is needed. The winner's swearing-in is also scheduled for that day.

January 5th, 2027: Runoff election, if needed.

If only one candidate qualifies, District 5 could have a new council member by Nov. 3, more than a month before the planned election.

For more coverage of City Hall and other news around West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.