Perry County voters will head to the polls Tuesday, May 19, for the Alabama statewide primary election, with contested local races for sheriff, county commission, and Board of Education alongside a full slate of state and federal contests and two proposed constitutional amendments.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A valid photo ID is required to vote. Voters without ID may cast a provisional ballot and have until 5 p.m. on the Friday following the election to present valid identification to the Board of Registrars.
The deadline to register to vote has passed. The deadline to submit an absentee ballot application in person is Thursday, May 14. Absentee ballots returned in person must be received by the close of business Monday, May 18. Absentee ballots returned by mail must arrive no later than noon on Election Day. Contact Circuit Clerk Mia Jacobs-Turner’s office for absentee voting information.
Alabama is an open primary state, meaning voters may choose either party’s primary ballot, but voters who participate in a primary must vote in the same party’s runoff if one is held. Voters who do not wish to participate in either party’s primary may request a ballot containing only the two constitutional amendments.
Congressional District Complication
One significant complication faces voters this year. Perry County is in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, and that race will appear on primary ballots Tuesday, but the results will not count.
Following a U.S. Supreme Court order issued Monday allowing the state to revert to a 2023 congressional map, Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special primary for the 7th District and three other congressional districts on Aug. 11.
Secretary of State Wes Allen said votes in the affected races on May 19 will be tabulated and made public but will be void for purposes of determining the party nominee. The special primary will not include a runoff. All other races on the May 19 ballot will proceed normally.
Statewide Races
Both parties will nominate candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and U.S. Senate. The governor’s race is open with incumbent Kay Ivey term-limited, and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is running for governor rather than seeking re-election to the Senate, leaving that seat open as well.
Democratic Ballot
The governor’s race features six candidates: Will Boyd, Jamel J. Brown, Yolanda Rochelle Flowers, Doug Jones, Chad “Chig” Martin, and Nathan “Nate” Mathis.
The lieutenant governor’s race features Phillip Ensler and Darryl D. Perryman.
The U.S. Senate race has four candidates: Dakarai Larriett, Kyle Sweetser, Everett Wess, and Mark S. Wheeler II.
Republican Ballot
Three candidates are seeking the governor’s nomination: Ken McFeeters, Will Santivasci, and Tommy Tuberville.
Six candidates are running for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination: Seth Burton, Dale Shelton Deas Jr., Jared Hudson, Steve Marshall, Barry Moore, and Rodney Walker.
Republican voters will also choose nominees for attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, state auditor, and commissioner of agriculture and industries. Both parties will nominate candidates for Public Service Commission Place No. 1, and Republicans will also nominate a candidate for Place No. 2.
State Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, whose district includes Perry County, is unopposed for his state Senate seat and will not appear on the primary ballot.
Constitutional Amendments
Two statewide constitutional amendments will appear on all ballots.
Amendment 1 would expand the list of offenses for which a judge may deny bail to include solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder, as well as shooting or discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. The amendment builds on the Aniah’s Law provisions approved by voters in 2022.
Amendment 2 would prohibit the state from reducing a district attorney’s compensation during his or her term of office.
Local Democratic Races
On the Democratic ballot, incumbent Sheriff Roy J. Fikes of Uniontown will face challenger Robert Sykes of Uniontown.
Incumbent Coroner Edward Terrell Jones of Uniontown and incumbent Revenue Commissioner Arthurita Kynard Smith of Marion are both running unopposed.
County Commission
- District 1: Longtime Commissioner Albert F. Turner of Marion will face Donald Bennett of Marion.
- District 2: Commissioner Anthony J. Long of Marion will face Ernest L. Donaldson of Marion.
- District 3: Donald Nichols of Marion qualified without opposition.
Board of Education
For the Board of Education District 5 seat, incumbent Vera Davis of Uniontown will face Tiffanie Lewis of Uniontown.
Perry County Democratic Executive Committee
Democrats will also elect members of the Perry County Democratic Executive Committee.
District 1 Candidates
Carlton L. Hogue, Carla J. Harris, Vinnie Royster, Cynthia H. Hogue, Tommy Kennie, Walta Mae Kennie, Jocelyn Tubbs-Turner, and Edd Miree.
District 2 Candidates
Sandra J. Munden, Jerildine Melton, and Floresteen Smith.
District 3 Candidates
Patrick Essex, Florence Parker, Clevie B. Parker, and Berlinder Blevins.
District 4 Candidates
Henrietta E. Jones, Jamaal Hunter, Jeff Easley, Melvin Turner, and Barbara Howze.
Local Republican Race
On the Republican ballot, the only local race is for Commission District 3, where incumbent Brett Harrison will face Katie Burks.
Runoff and General Election Dates
If no candidate in a contested race receives a majority on May 19, the top two vote-getters will meet in a primary runoff on Tuesday, June 16.
The voter registration deadline for the runoff is Monday, June 1. The special congressional primary for the 7th District is set for Monday, Aug. 11. Winners in both parties will advance to the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Additional Voting Information
Sample ballots, precinct information, and voting details are available from the Perry County Probate Office and at sos.alabama.gov.
