Party Primaries Are 3 Weeks From Today – What to Know

Party primary elections are three weeks from today as Democrats and Republicans chose their party's candidates for the November 10 General Election. That means prepare for a proliferation of political commercials and mailers between now and May 19th as candidates attempt to woe voters.

Unlike the general election in November, election pole officials will ask voters which party ballot they want, Democrat or Republican. In Alabama, the primary election is part of the nominating process for a political party. If there is a runoff in either party primary a voter must vote only in the runoff of the party in which you cast a primary election ballot.

Voters will not be able to cast ballots across party lines until the General Election.

Alabama citizens can register to vote online at alabamavotes.gov if they have a valid Alabama Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID card. Citizens can also register at their registrar's office at the county courthouse.

The last day to request an absentee ballot is May 14 and they must be returned by the 18th. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be received by noon on Primary Election Day.

Sample ballots for each county are available on the Alabama Secretary of State's website. They include statewide and legislative races. On the ballot for 2026 are:

• U.S. Senate
• Governor
• Lt. Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• State Treasurer
• State Auditor
• Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
• State House of Representatives
• State Senate
• Public Service Commission, Place #1
• Public Service Commission, Place #2
• State Board of Education
• Court of Criminal Appeals
• Court of Civil Appeals
• Circuit Court Judges
• District Court Judges
• Congressional Races
• Party Executive Committee Seats
• There are also two Statewide Constitutional Amendments
  1. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to provide that the following offenses shall be offenses for which a judge may deny bail: shooting or discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling or other occupied space in violation of Section 13A-11-61(b), Code of Alabama 1975; or any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder. Proposed by Act 2025-227.
  2. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to provide that the compensation of a district attorney may not be diminished during his or her term of office. Proposed by Act 2025-291.
• Some counties have local elections for such positions as sheriff, revenue commissioner, county commission and school boards.
• Some counties will have referendums on the ballot:
  • Pickens County:
    • Do you favor the adoption of Act 2025-118 of the Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature which authorizes the Pickens County Commission to levy an additional issuance fee on the issuance of each vehicle license and registration in Pickens County with the proceeds earmarked and used only to provide ambulance service in the county?
  • Walker County:
    • SPECIAL ELECTION FOR RENEWAL AND CONTINUATION OF 1.2 MILLS OF AD VALOREM SCHOOL TAX (Section 269.04) Shall the governing body of Walker County, Alabama, be authorized to levy, in addition to all other taxes now or hereafter authorized, a special county tax of twelve cents on each one hundred dollars (equal to 1.2 mills on each dollar) of the assessed value of taxable property located in said Walker County for educational purposes for a period of thirty (30) consecutive years commencing with the tax year that will begin on October 1, 2026 (for which tax year the tax will become due and payable on October 1, 2027), the rate of which special county tax shall be in renewal and continuation of, and in lieu of, equivalent millage presently being levied in said county for public school purposes?
    • AND CONTINUATION OF LEVY OF THE 3.8 MILL COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL TAX (Section 269.01, Constitution of Alabama of 2022) Shall the governing body of Walker County, Alabama, be authorized to levy annually, for a period of thirty (30) consecutive years, commencing with the levy for the tax year that began on October 1, 2026 (for which tax year taxes will become due and payable on October 1, 2027), for public school purposes in said county, a special property tax at the rate of thirty-eight cents on each one hundred dollars (equal to 3.8 mills on each dollar) of the assessed value of the taxable property in said county, which special tax shall be in renewal and continuation of the special tax at the same rate and for the same purpose that is now being levied in the said county?
• NOTE: Not all races are contested

Alabama Elections: Frequently Asked Questions