Proposal circulating in Montgomery would close state primary elections
While Alabamians have already voted in the this year’s Presidential Preference Primaries, that hasn’t ended the conversation in 2016 about the state’s elections. A plan circulating in the Legislature would make Alabama one of 31 states who allow only registered Republicans and Democrats to vote in their respective primaries. SB 360 by Sen. Tom Whatley would close Alabama primaries; mandate a voter be registered with their party at least 14 days before voting in a primary; and prevent voters from switching parties in between a primary and primary run-off. Currently Alabama – like Deep South neighbors Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi – has open primaries. Some observers have said open primaries leading to voters casting “strategic” ballots, seeking to influence the outcome of a party they do not identify with. Alabama gave 44 of its 55 Democratic delegates to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders received nine during March 1 elections, as part of the newly-established “SEC Primary,” which saw Donald Trump took the lion’s share of Republican delegates, winning 36 out of 50. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was awarded 13 delegates while Florida Sen. Marco Rubio managed to snag one. Trump and Sanders have both done better in open-primary states than those with traditional closed primaries and caucuses. SB 360 is co-sponsored by Sen. Cam Ward and Sen. Trip Pittman. Anonymous sources told Alabama Today on Thursday there is “much GOP support for this proposed legislation.”
John Merrill: 1.2 million voted in Alabama’s presidential primary
Secretary of State John Merrill, instrumental in creating the SEC Primary, which lumps several Southern states’ primaries together to give a louder voice to Southern voters, celebrated the state’s accomplishments Wednesday. “For the first time in the history of our state, all 67 counties committed to participate in electronic election night reporting,” Merrill said in a news release. “This launch would not have been possible without everyone’s full support and outstanding leadership demonstrated by our Probate Judges and local election officials.” Indeed, just as the polls were closing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Secretary’s website began displaying real-time election results. According to Merrill’s statement, there was 100 percent participation in the night’s election reporting. Inclement weather some counties created unexpected delays in reporting, though. However, Merrill’s office deployed necessary staff to help counties ensure accurate results. “1.2 million citizens participated in Alabama’s election March 1,” Merrill said. “This is without a doubt the largest number our state has ever seen in a presidential primary. We attribute this enthusiastic response to the SEC Primary and the excitement that our people have demonstrated as the presidential candidates came to our state and interacted with our people.” All of the major presidential candidates visited the state to campaign, including Tuesday night victors billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “We look forward to an exciting and engaged General Election in November,” Merrill said. Primary Run-off contests will be held April 12 and the General Election will take place Nov. 8.
Incumbent Richard Shelby easily wins Alabama primary over sea of challengers
Voters across the Yellowhammer State decisively re-elected Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) to continue as their representative in the U.S. Senate . The race was called with Shelby leading by over 35 points. With 99 percent of Alabama’s precinct’s accounted for, his closest opponent former Marine Capt. Jonathan McConnell garnered only 28 percent of the vote to Shelby’s 65 percent, with all other challengers taking only about 8 percent of the vote. “I am honored that the people of Alabama have once again trusted me to be the Republican nominee for the United States Senate,” said Shelby following his victory. “Serving as your Senator is a privilege and responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will continue to stand up against big government for all Alabamians and Americans.” Shelby continued, “Tonight’s victory would not be possible without the countless volunteers and supporters who worked to help me advance our conservative message across the state. I am grateful for each and every vote I received today, and I look forward to continuing the conservative fight in the General Election.” Shelby now moves to the General Election on November 8 and will take on Democratic victor Ron Crumpton.
Robert Aderholt wins 4th District primary, looks on to eleventh congressional term
Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) defeated opponent Phil Norris Tuesday night securing the Republican nomination for representative of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, moving one step closer to his eleventh term in office. According to his spokesperson Carson Clark, Aderholt celebrated his victory with Tuscaloosa County Republicans at Chuck’s Fish in Tuscaloosa. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, Aderholt received 102,348 votes, 81 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. His challenger Norris received 23,343 votes, 18 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. The 4th District includes most of Tuscaloosa, as well as the far northern suburbs of Birmingham and the southern suburbs of Huntsville and Decatur.
In Alabama congressional races, incumbents stay safe
Despite incessant worrying over what Donald Trump-anti-incumbent-fueled voter turnout would mean at the polls, all members of the Alabama congressional delegation managed to hold on to their seats in Tuesday’s primary election. U.S. Senate Republican Richard Shelby, who was first elected to the Senate in 1986, faced challenges from four Republican opponents. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Shelby won by over 35 points. His closest opponent former Marine Capt. Jonathan McConnell garnered only 28 percent of the vote to Shelby’s 65 percent, with all other challengers taking only about 8 percent of the vote. On the Democratic side, business owner Shadrack McGill, who served in the state Senate from 2010 and 2014, and challengers John Martin, Marcus Bowman and Ron Crumpton faced off also in hopes of unseating Shelby, with Crumpton taking home the Democratic nomination, winning 56 percent of the vote. U.S. House of Representatives AL-01 Former state senator U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne secured his first full term in office after defeating challenger Dean Young. Byrne, first elected to Congress in a special election in 2013, took home 60 percent of the vote, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-02 Former Montgomery City Council member and three-term Congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Martha Roby defeated Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson to represent the 2nd District, which includes much of Montgomery and southeast Alabama. Roby won slightly more than 66 percent of the vote, meanwhile Gerritson took home only 27 percent of the vote, and Bob Rogers just over 5 percent. AL-03 First elected to the House in 2003, former Calhoun County commissioner U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers defeated longtime Auburn public school administrator Larry DiChiara to represent the 3rd District, which covers east-central Alabama. Rogers won 76 percent of the vote to DiChiara 24 percent. Standing between Rogers and his eighth term in Congress is Jesse Smith. Smith, a Phenix City native, was was unchallenged for the Democratic nomination. AL-04 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) defeated opponent Phil Norris the Republican nomination for representative of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, moving one step closer to his eleventh term in office. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, Aderholt received 102,348 votes, 81 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-05 Third term Congressman Rep. Mo Brooks, who represents Alabama’s 5th District — encompassing the counties of Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and most of Jackson — was un-opposed. AL-06 Co-founder and former longtime president of the Alabama Policy Institute, U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer, was un-opposed. Palmer is Alabama’s newest Congressman and first elected in 2014 to represent portions of Birmingham, nearly all of Jefferson County outside of Birmingham, and the entirety of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Colbert, Coosa and Shelby counties. AL-07 Alabama’s lone Democratic representative, Terri Sewell, who assumed office in 2011 was un-opposed. Her district encompasses portions of Birmingham,Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.
Early polling results indicate big wins for incumbents
8:15 p.m – With polls having closed just a little over an hour ago, election results from the Secretary of State’s website indicate that incumbents will likely hold on to their seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Though only nine of Alabama’s 67 counties are currently reporting, Sen. Richard Shelby is keeping a strangle hold on his seat. Of 6,017 ballots cast thus far, Shelby has collected a dominant 4,248, or 70.6 percent. His closest opposition is newcomer Jonathan McConnell, who has collected 1,294 votes, or 21.5 percent. On the Democratic side, Charles Nana is currently leading Ron Crumpton by more than 14 percentage points. Neither Democrat has made much of a showing leading up to today’s elections, but it had seemed that Crumpton would be leading the race. In much the same fashion, Rep. Martha Roby is leading Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson in the U.S. House District 2 race , with 74.48 percent of the vote compared to Gerritson’s 20.28 percent. Likewise, Reps. Bradley Byrne and Mo Brooks, U.S. House Districts 1 and 3 respectively, are trouncing their opponents by wide margins – in Rogers’ case, nearly 50 percentage points. Rep. Robert Aderholdt is also dominating his opponent with 82 percent of the vote in the U.S. House District 4 race.
Where will Alabama candidates be Election night?
Super Tuesday — or what the south is affectionately referring to as the SEC Primary — could all but solidify the 2016 presidential race as election results from 12 states, including Alabama, roll in Tuesday night. In the Yellowhammer State, incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby is hoping to win once again his Party’s nomination, over a slew of challengers, most noticeably former Marine Jonathan McConnell. Meanwhile, all of Alabama’s House Members face challengers. Here is where the candidates will wait for the results: The incumbents: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby What: Election Night Watch Party Where: Embassy Suites Hotel, 2410 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa When: 6:30 p.m. CST U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): What: Bradley Byrne Election Night Watch Party Where: Moe’s Original BBQ, 701 Spring Hill Ave., Mobile When: 7 p.m. CT U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): What: Election night reception Where: The Warehouse at Alley Station; 103 Commerce St; Montgomery When: 7 p.m., CT Extra details: Roby is tentatively scheduled to speak about 30 minutes after the race is called. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): When: Post-Election Party Where: The Green Olive; 1024 Noble St; Anniston, AL 36201 U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): What: Tuscaloosa County Republicans Election Night Watch Party Where: Chuck’s Fish; 508 Greensboro Ave; Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 The challengers: Jonathan McConnell for U.S. Senate What: Election Night Results Watching Party Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 Fifth Ave. S., Birmingham When: 7:30 p.m. CT Becky Gerritson for AL-02 What: Election Night Watch Party Where: Coaches Corner Sports Bar and Grill, 203 Orline St., Wetumpka This story will be updated as more details from other candidates come in.
Martha Roby overwhelmingly wins in key re-election bid
Voters across Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District overwhelmingly supported U.S. Rep. Martha Roby in her re-election bid on Tuesday over her opponent, Wetumpka Tea Party founder, Becky Gerriston by nearly 40 percent. Official results Tuesday night indicated Roby won slightly more than 66 percent of the vote in the 2nd District, which represents Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Pike, and parts of Montgomery counties. Gerritson took home only 27 percent of the vote, and Bob Rogers just over 5 percent. Following her victory, Roby thanked the voters for their trust and support, saying the strong win showed voters were choosing “solutions over sanctimony, progress over pessimism, and results over rage.” “Today, Alabama voters have honored me – not just with their vote – but with their blessing and with a mandate to fight for conservative solutions,” Roby said to a crowded room of supporters Tuesday night. “This win matters because it sends a message about who we are going to be as a party in Alabama and what being a conservative means here today. I’m a conservative who wants to solve problems, not cause problems for conservatives.”
Statewide amendment could save Alabama millions
While the presidential and senate races are garnering the most attention in the state, a proposed statewide constitutional amendment may well be Alabamians’ one opportunity to assist in helping to fill the state’s budget gap. Amendment 1 will appear on the ballot like this: 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) While Secretary of State John Merrill condemned the wording of the amendment, which was drafted by the Fair Ballot Commission and does little to describe the intention of the legislation, the new law could save the state as much as $200 million over the next three decades. Merrill said the language as it appears on the ballot gives the impression that a new system is being created when, in fact, it is simply making changes to the current system. Currently, district attorneys and circuit clerks do not pay into the retirement benefits they receive. The new law would require new appointees to pay 8.5 percent of their annual salaries into the retirement fund and would raise the minimum age for retirement to 62. “They’re going to get their money either way,” Merrill said. “It’s just a matter of if you want them to pay to get that money.” The amendment has widespread support among state lawmakers, as well as the Alabama District Attorneys Association. Shelby County residents will also be voting on an amendment which would legalize the sale of alcohol on Sundays after noon.
State’s election results to be displayed via Secretary of State website
The SEC Primary, which is part of the Super Tuesday elections held across the nation, will be held Tuesday. In all, residents from more than 12 states will head to the polls and cast their votes for candidates hoping to earn a lion’s share of the 595 delegates at stake across the country. In an effort to keep the public abreast of up-to-date election results, the Alabama Secretary of State’s office will be reporting results at www.alabamavotes.gov throughout the night. Polls close at 7 p.m. and the first results will be electronically sent to the Office of the Secretary of State and streamed to the website. Results will include presidential primary numbers, as well as other federal, state and local elections, as well as amendments. “For the first time in the history of our state, all 67 counties have committed to participate in our election night reporting,” Secretary of State John Merrill said in a news release. “We want everyone who is interested, including media outlets, citizens and elected officials, to have the opportunity to view the results of the SEC Primary in real time!” Merrill said the electronic results would be a “great resource” for the people of Alabama and said the operation would not have been possible without the cooperation of “Alabama’s Probate Judges and other county officials.”
Hillary Clinton to return to Alabama ahead of SEC Primary
On Tuesday, Alabamians across the state will head to the polls to weigh in on who they would like to see as their respective party’s nominee for president. Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is hoping rally support her way on Saturday when she makes a visit to Birmingham, just four days ahead of the SEC Primary, The former first lady and secretary of state is holding a get-out-the-vote rally at 12:45 p.m. at the Miles College Gymnasium in Fairfield where she will discuss income inequality and other barriers faced by American families. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. and the event will end at 2 p.m. Members of the public who are interested in attending can find more information here. “We are excited to have Secretary Clinton back in our state, and we want to welcome her!” said Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill. “I am thrilled with how the SEC Primary has developed and what it means for our people to have personal interaction with these candidates. With the Alabama primary being a less than week away, it is a very exciting time for our people to have the opportunity to speak with presidential candidates.” Saturday’s visit is Clinton’s third stop in Alabama since she announced her candidacy. She has previously visited Hoover and Montgomery. Republican candidates Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are also planning stops across the state this weekend.
Marco Rubio to headline Samford University forum Saturday
Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is set to be the solo headliner at Samford University’s Republican presidential candidate forum Saturday after fellow presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz cancelled. Three other Republicans in the race, businessman Donald Trump, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson are also skipping the event. The forum is one of the last opportunities for candidates to plead their case to Alabama voters ahead of Super Tuesday next week, when Alabama and a dozen other states hold nominating elections. Event organizer Yellowhammer News said the sold-out event will still go on as planned, despite Rubio being the only candidate in attendance. Cruz’s cancellation came down from a political consultant not long after a new poll put out by Birmingham-based consulting firm Master Image showed the Texas senator in a third place among Yellowhammer State voters. The poll, released Wednesday, put Trump in the lead with 36 percent, followed by Rubio with 19 percent. Cruz got 12 percent support, with Carson taking 8 percent and Kasich landing in last place with 7 percent. About 17 percent of the 1,556 Alabama Republicans polled said they were still undecided. The poll may foreshadow a disappointing Tuesday for Cruz, whose campaign strategy relies on picking up delegates in the “SEC Primary” states, where evangelicals have a larger role at the polls. The junior senator from Texas had 17 percent support among Alabama Republicans in January, but his numbers had slipped to around 13 percent this month.
