CULLMAN – Alabama will be joining six other southern states on Tuesday, March 1 in what’s being called the “SEC primaries.” While the presidential primary has been the hot topic, Cullman residents have many decisions to make in state and local office races as well.
First off, it’s important to remember that Alabama is an “open primary” state. That means that as a registered voter, you get to choose when you get to the polls whether you want to vote Republican or Democrat. While this means you don’t have to be a registered Republican or Democrat to vote in those primaries, it is also important to remember that once you make your selection on election day, you can only vote in your selected party’s primary. In short, if you pick “Republican” at the top of your ballot, you will only see Republican candidates.
You can find sample ballots for Cullman County here: http://www.cullmancourts.org/assets/probatecourt/PDFs/sampleBallot.PDF.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
National- Candidates for U.S. President
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- Hillary Clinton
- Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente*
- Martin J. O’Malley*
- Bernie Sanders
- Uncommitted
*Important to remember- Clinton and Sanders are the only two candidates on the Democratic ballot with active campaigns.
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Jeb Bush*
- Ben Carson
- Chris Christie*
- Ted Cruz
- Carly Fiorina*
- Lindsey Graham*
- Mike Huckabee*
- John R. Kasich
- Rand Paul*
- Marco Rubio
- Rick Santorum*
- Donald J. Trump
- Uncommitted
*Important to remember- Carson, Cruz, Kasich, Rubio and Trump are the only candidates on the Republican ballot with active campaigns.
State- Candidates for U.S. Senate
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- Ron Crumpton
- Charles Nana
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Marcus Bowman
- John Martin
- Johnathan McConnell
- Shadrack McGill
- Incumbent Richard Shelby
State- Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, 4th Congressional District
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- None
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Incumbent Robert Aderholt
- Phil Norris
State- Candidates for Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice, Place 3
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- None
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Donna J. Beaulieu
- Incumbent Tom Parker
State- Candidates for Alabama Public Service Commission President
The president of the Alabama Public Service Commission works with the other two members of the Commission to regulate the state’s utility companies.
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- None
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh
- Terry Dunn
Local- Chairman, Cullman County Commission
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- None
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Darrell Hicks
- Eric Parker
- Incumbent Kenneth Walker
Local- Cullman County Board of Education, West Point, District 1
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- None
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Patrick Klein
- Incumbent Gene Sullins
Local- Cullman County Board of Education, Holly Pond, District 3
The Democratic Primary Ballot
- None
The Republican Primary Ballot
- Heath Allbright
- Sam Benefield
- Destry Stone
- Incumbent James A. Thompson
NOTE: Cullman County Board of Education, Cold Springs, District 5 candidate Wayne Myrex will NOT appear on the March 1 primary ballot, as he is running unopposed.
Proposed Statewide Amendment
Appearing on both ballots will be the proposed amendment to the state constitution which states “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to authorize the legislature to provide a retirement program for district attorneys and circuit clerks of the state who are first elected or appointed on or after November 8, 2016. (Proposed by Act 2015-342).”
District attorneys and circuit clerks currently receive retirement pay but do not contribute to their retirement. The amendment would change that by requiring an 8.5 percent retirement fund contribution by newcomer officials which is estimated to save state taxpayers approximately $200 million dollars over the next three decades.
When do you vote?
Alabama polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1.
What do you need?
Voters are required to present photo identification on election day. The most common IDs are valid driver’s license, valid non-driver ID card, valid U.S. passport, valid student ID from a public or private college in Alabama or valid military ID. Many other identification options are available.
Where do you go for more information?
To see identification requirements, locate your polling place or other voter information, go to www.alabamavotes.gov.
Presidential Candidates Visiting Alabama This Weekend
Donald Trump in Huntsville
When: Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m.)
Event Location (changed): Madison City Schools Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive
Tickets: http://qrne.ws/trump
Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio in Birmingham
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. (Doors open at 1:30 p.m.; attendees must be in their seats by 2:30 p.m.)
Event Location: Samford University’s Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center
Tickets: Sold out
Marco Rubio in Huntsville
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30 p.m.)
Event Location: U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Tickets: http://qrne.ws/rubio
Hillary Clinton in Birmingham
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 at 12:45 p.m. (Doors open at 11:15 a.m.)
Event Location: Miles College gymnasium
Tickets: http://qrne.ws/hrc
Ben Carson in Montgomery
When: Monday, Feb. 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Event Location: Auburn University- Montgomery
Tickets: Details developing
