Video: Voting earlier today at Robinson Elementary School
in South East Lake
This Election Day could be a record breaker, as voters across Alabama stood for hours in socially distanced lines to cast ballots.
That’s on top of the thousands of absentee ballots submitted in advance during the last 6 weeks.
Who came out on top? We could be in for a lonnnnnng night. Here are the results from today’s races in the Birmingham metro area and at the state level.
Update: Voter turnout for Alabama was 60.31 percent; for Shelby County, 69.56 percent; for Jefferson County, 54.90 percent.
More election coverage in our Vote 2020Â special report.
Thank the maker: The 2020 elections are nearly over, a contentious, no-holds-barred free-for-all. Millions have already voted. And most improbably of all, many voters right here in Alabama have turned in their ballots ahead of today.
For the rest … it’s time to vote.
Q: Where do I vote?
A: Call Jefferson County: (205)Â 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): (205) 481-4105, Shelby County: (205)Â 669-3913.
state and county offices that provide public assistance,
driver’s license renewal offices,
county library branches
and some city library branches.
Note: Many of these locations may be closed to the public or open limited hours because of COVID-19, so call ahead.
Call the Secretary of State at 800-274-8683 for additional information.
• We have the sample ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties for the primaries. (The Jefferson County ballot has 87 versions, one for every sub-district.)
The ballot has federal, state and county offices, along with six state amendments (Fox 6 has more info on what the amendments mean). And check out the Alabama Voter Guide 2020, with voting procedures and frequently asked questions.
For easier viewing, you can print, download or zoom to full screen with each ballot.
Absentee voting
Because of COVID-19, the State of Alabama will allow any registered voter to vote early by absentee ballot. I voted in person on Wednesday in under 30 minutes.
Download, print and fill out an absentee ballot application. These forms are also available at courthouses in every county. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 29.
The Secretary of State says to check the following box as the reason for the absentee ballot: “I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID Required]”
If you mail it in …
Make sure to use both envelopes provided.
Have your witnesses sign it.
Put proper postage.
Have it postmarked by Nov. 2 (the day before Election Day). Try to mail it earlier, given the Trump-directed slower mail service.
If you want to vote in person …
I went to the Jefferson County Courthouse downtown, Room 500. Remember: Security will scan you and your bag at the door.
Some other voters may be seated in the hallway waiting their turn.
Give your completed, signed absentee ballot application to one of the clerks.
They will call you in when it’s your turn and guide you through each step.
Last day to vote by absentee ballot is Nov. 2 (the day before Election Day).
Today was my Election Day. I filled out an absentee ballot form, went to the Jefferson Co. Courthouse this morning and voted in about 20 minutes. The staff couldn't have been nicer and walked me through each step.
A lot of cities across Alabama held elections today, so let’s get to the main results …
Mayoral race winners from today for towns in Jefferson and Shelby Counties:
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Adamsville: Pam Cairns Palmer (I) Alabaster: Scott Brakefield Argo: Betty M. Bradley (I) Brighton: Eddie Cooper Clay: Charles K. Webster Cordova: Jeremy D. Pate Fultondale: Larry D. Holcomb Helena: Brian Puckett Hoover: Frank Brocato (I) Irondale: James Stewart Leeds: David Miller Lipscomb: Tonja Baldwin
Midfield: Gary Richardson Montevallo: Russell “Rusty” Nix Morris: Joe Pylant (I) Pelham: Gary W. Waters (I) Pinson: Richard “Joe” Cochran Pleasant Grove: Jerry W. Brasseale (I) Tarrant: Wayman Newton Vincent: James “Jim” Latimer Warrior: Johnny Ragland (I) West Jefferson: Charles Nix (I) Wilsonville: Ricky Ray Morris
Polls open for 12 hours at 7 a.m. in 44 towns in Jefferson and Shelby Counties. Voters will select mayors and council members in these municipal races.
Runoff elections will be Oct. 6.
Cities in Jefferson and Shelby Counties holding elections today:
Adamsville
Alabaster
Argo
Brighton
Calera
Center Point
Chelsea
Clay
Columbiana
Cordova
Fairfield
Fultondale
Gardendale
Graysville
Harpersville
We’re finally having a runoff election after casting ballots way back on March 3, otherwise known as the Before Times.
Yes, that global COVID-19 pandemic has delayed this minor runoff race from April till this upcoming Tuesday. And many voters will be deciding a Senate candidate on the Republican side. Birmingham Watch has more on that contest between Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville.
Note: Shelby County will not have a Democratic runoff.
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks in October to the Alabama Democratic Conference semi-annual convention at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover. He dropped out of the race earlier this month. From Beto O’Rourke.
The Battle for Birmingham marching band competition in September at Legion Field, including Birmingham high schools and Alabama historically black colleges. From ShowtimeWeb.
Boy Scouts interrogate Alabama football coach Nick Saban at the 12th Annual Boy Scouts American Values Luncheon fund-raiser in March at the BJCC North Exhibition Hall downtown. From Alabama NewsCenter.
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A recent episode of “Samford Sports Wrap-Up” with retiring women’s basketball coach Mike Morris. From Samford University Athletics.
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UAB’s Lister Hill Library opens the first virtual reality studio on campus. From University of Alabama at Birmingham.
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College softball: Highlights from Birmingham-Southern at Covenant in March in Lookout Mountain, Ga. From Covenant Scots.
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Discussing damages in personal injury cases. From Farris, Riley and Pitt LLP.
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Runner’s World feature on Hoover’s Highlands College, where all students run in an annual half-marathon in November at Homewood’s Lakeshore Trail. From Highlands College.
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Live music at the Oasis in Lakeview. From Actress Gabrielle.
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Talking with Birmingham rapper Luh Soldier. From No Jumper.
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Highlight reel for Huffman Middle point guard Kerrion Gilbert. From Hoop Brothers.
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The 60m hurdles race at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in March at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From Sports Live Stadium.
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Members of Bellydance Superstars perform in 2010 on WBRC-6’s “Good Day Alabama.” From Rebecca Vasile.
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UAB’s Louis Nabors discusses evolving treatments for patients with brain metastases. From Onc Live TV.
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WBRC-6 report on the 1965 Parade of Homes. From Chewy Ltd.
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Jon Foreman of Switchfoot performs for fans in March outside Iron City on Southside after the concert. From Switchfoot.
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Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors discusses facing UAB in the NIT. From Hit That Line.
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Firefighters spray the Hospitality Inn fire in March from the parking lot of Johns-Ridout’s Funeral Parlors. From David Gunnells.
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Michigan bass fisherman Kevin VanDam talks about winning the 2010 Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham. From Kevin VanDam.
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Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) makes a campaign stop in March in Birmingham. From WVTM 13 News.
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Orlando Apollos’ Johnny Manziel vs. Birmingham Iron’s Trent Richardson. From FlemLo Raps.
Manziel exchanges friendly greetings with Iron. From Robbie2k.
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Freddie Brown, wide receivers coach at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., discusses new recruits, including Shades Valley’s KeiAndre Sanders. From Wofford Terriers.
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Washington’s WTOP (103.5 FM) features Louie, shipped from Birmingham, as Pet of the Week. From WTOP Radio.
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Highlights from Angela Rye, lawyer and political strategist, at February’s A.G. Gaston Conference at the BJCC East Meeting Rooms downtown. From 1987.
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Birmingham band Meta-Medica performs in March at Good People Brewing Company downtown. From Leejthedj337.
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College baseball: Highlights from Furman at Samford in March. From Samford University Athletics.
And highlights from Mississippi State at Samford in March. From Samford University Athletics.
Plus highlights from Maine at Samford in March. From Samford University Athletics.
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Scenes from March’s Battle of the Magic City Showcase at Hoover High School. From Slam HS.
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Visiting Sloss Furnaces. From the Carpetbagger.
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Train in Calera. From Seaboard Railfanner.
And a train crossing in Crestwood North. From Free Brick Productions.
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Highlights from the Southern Xpress 7v7 tournament in March at Carver High School in North Birmingham. From Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
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College softball: Highlights from Tennessee Tech at Samford in March. From Samford University Athletics.
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Eight hours of ABC-33/40 severe weather coverage from April 27, 2011. From Waffle Iron Archives.
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Putting together a Tumbling Loco train set found at a Birmingham thrift shop. From Train Tsar Fun.
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Security cam footage of a Family Dollar store in Central Park, in which two men armed with swords attempt a robbery in March. From WVTM-13 News.
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Wrestling: Kane vs. Dave Bautista in 2005 at the BJCC Coliseum downtown. From Brothers of Destruction 22.
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Altamont senior Amrita Lakhanpal talks about Screens for Schools, her program to provide 60 Chromebooks to elementary schools. From Alabama NewsCenter.
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Sen. Doug Jones speaks in March at the Strand Book Store in New York. He discussed his new book, “Bending Toward Justice,” about the decades-long fight to bring the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombers to justice. From Strand Book Store.
And Jones on CBSN. From CBS News.
Plus Jones on Salon. From Salon.
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Hockey: Peoria Rivermen at Birmingham Bulls in March in Pelham. From Peoria Rivermen SPHL.
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Highlights from Black History Month at Samford University. From Samford University.
That’s on top of the thousands of absentee ballots submitted in advance during the last 6 weeks.
