Photo courtesy of Google Images
The city of Birmingham municipal elections are on Aug. 24 — less than two weeks away. With voting day coming upon us, it is important everyone knows where and how to vote.
How do I know if I am able to vote, and where do I cast my ballot?
Before voting in Alabama, you must be registered to vote. If you are not already registered, the deadline to register for this upcoming election was Aug. 9. You can check both your voting location and whether you are registered using this online tool.
If you will be out of town on voting day, working a shift you can’t miss or can’t physically make it to a voting location, you can vote with an absentee ballot. To do so, fill out and print this online application and mail it to 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Room 500, Birmingham, AL, 35203-0102. Officials must receive your absentee ballot by Aug. 17.
Voter Identification
A form of ID is required to vote in Alabama. Here is a complete list of acceptable IDs:
Driver’s License Alabama Law Enforcement Agency ID Alabama Photo Voter ID State Issued ID Federal Issued ID US Passport Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County Government, Municipality, Board, Authority, etc. Student or employee ID from a college in Alabama Military ID Tribal ID
Election and Candidate Information
There are three offices up for election: mayoral, city council and board of education. The city council and board of education elections are on a district basis. You can find out which district you live in with this tool.
If your voting address is at the dorms — unless you’re in Rast Hall — you’re in District 6; Rast Hall is in District 3.
There are eight candidates running for mayor of Birmingham: incumbent mayor Randall Woodfin, former mayor William Bell, Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales, businessman Chris Woods, philanthropist Cerissa Brown, activist Ervin Hill II, activist Darryl Williams and Napoleon Gonzales.
A complete list of candidates on the ballot is available on this sample ballot, and information on candidates is available in election guides from Greater Birmingham Ministries and BirminghamWatch In addition, a mayoral debate will be hosted on Aug. 17 by local news organizations and streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
The Candidates
City Council
District 1
Clinton Woods (Incumbent)
District 2
Lawrence ConawayKimberly JeantyDon ScottHunter Williams (Incumbent)
District 3
Valerie A. Abbott (Incumbent) Joseph Casper Baker III Wil JonesAlice Speake
District 4
Scottie McClaneyJ.T. MooreWilliam Parker (Incumbent)Q. Cory PettwayGwendolyn Cook Webb
District 5
Richard E. Franklin, Jr.Darrell O’Quinn (Incumbent)Hiram G. RahimErica “Star” RobbinsRoshanique Yvette Taylor
District 6
Keith AaronCrystal N. Smitherman (Incumbent)Keith O. Williams
District 7
Wardine Towers Alexander (Incumbent)La’Toya LeeLonnie Franklin MaloneDon “Donnie” Stone
District 8
Carol ClarkeBarbara Files-KennedyLynette PetersCelinda “Celi” SotoAdlai M. TroneHarry “Traveling Shoes” TurnerD. Denise Webber-JenkinsWanda Wright
District 9
Eric HallJohn Hilliard (Incumbent)David RussellLaTonya Tate
Board of Education
District 1
Sherman Collins, Jr. Douglas Lee Ragland (Incumbent)Jerry Tate
District 2
Terri Michal (Incumbent)Neonta Williams
District 3
Mary D. Boehm (Incumbent)Byron “Anti-Charter School” Lagrone
District 4
Derrick L. BillupsDaagye Hendricks (Incumbent)
District 5
David Tarrell McKinneyJames A. Sullivan
District 6
Jamaree CollinsLeticia WatkinsYancey Williams Sr.
District 7
Walter “Big Walt” Wilson (Incumbent)
District 8
Antoinette “Toni” KingCurtis Tyrone RobinsonSonja Q. Smith (Incumbent)Antwon Bernard Womack
District 9
Le’Darius HilliardJason MeadowsSusan Diane Mitchell