Email Insight: Special election for District 5 set

Governor Robert Bentley has called set the dates for the special election to for house District 5 to replace Representative Dan Williams. According to WHNT Rep. Williams announced in February that he had leukemia and had recently been under the care of hospice.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this time.

See below for his statement and the details.

Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced the timeline for a special election to fill the vacant District 5 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives.

The District 5 seat was previously held by Representative Dan Williams who died on July 1.

“Rep. Dan Williams worked hard for the people in the 5th district and the city of Athens,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “My prayers are with Dan’s family during this difficult time. I know Dan will be truly missed, but his legacy will forever live on.”

District 5 covers Limestone County.  According to the election timeline released Thursday:

• A Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.

• If necessary because of one candidate not receiving a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, a Special Primary Runoff Election will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.
• If a Special Primary Runoff Election is not necessary because one candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.
• If a Special Primary Runoff Election is required, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

“This election timeline is designed to have a representative in place for the citizens of District 5 as soon as possible,” Governor Bentley said.  “The timeline gives candidates time to qualify, it allows voters time to learn about candidates, and it allows time for those who are unable to vote in-person to arrange to vote by absentee ballot.”

Candidates qualifying with major political parties must do so by Monday, July 27, 2015, at 5:00 p.m.  The two major political parties are to certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State as soon as possible after the qualification deadline but by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2015.

All third-party candidates, independent candidates, and/or minor party candidates seeking ballot access are advised that their deadline for filing the appropriate notification, petitions, or supporting paperwork with the Secretary of State is Tuesday, September 29, 2015, at 5:00 p.m.

The formal election proclamation can be viewed here.