This festive squirrel rides his motorcycle at
the annual Homewood Christmas parade.

Christmas parades and tree lightings will take place in more than two dozen cities across Jefferson and Shelby Counties. Take a look at the list to join in the free festivities …

Alabaster: parade with Noah Galloway as grand marshal, 10 a.m. Dec. 6, starts near Ernest McCarty Ford, 1471 First St. N. [map]

Bessemer: parade, 2 p.m. Dec. 13, starts at Debardeleben Park [map]

Birmingham: parade and tree lighting, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday; parade starts at Kelly Ingram Park [map], tree lighting at Linn Park [map]

Calera: parade, 6 p.m. Dec. 6, starts at National Guard, 1320 Eighth Ave. [map]

Center Point: parade, 11 a.m. Dec. 13, starts at Cathedral of the Cross, 1480 Center Point Pkwy. [map]

Chelsea: parade, 10 a.m. Dec. 20, starts at Chelsea Middle School, 2321 Shelby County 39 [map]

Clay: tree lighting, 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Cosby Lake Park [map]; parade, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13, starts at Clay-Chalkville High School, 6623 Roe Chandler Road [map]

Columbiana: parade and tree lighting, 5:30 p.m. Thursday; parade starts at 7 p.m. at Main Street [map]

Gardendale: parade and tree lighting, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, starts at Mt. Olive Road [map]

Graysville: tree lighting, 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 246 S. Main St. [map]; parade, 10 a.m. Dec. 6, starts at North Main Street [map]

Helena: parade, 1 p.m. Dec. 6, starts at Helena Road [map]

Hoover: tree lighting, 5 p.m. Monday, City Hall, 100 Municipal Ln. [map]

Homewood: parade and tree lighting, 6 p.m. Dec. 9, City Hall, 2850 19th St. S. [map]; parade starts at 6:30 p.m. from the library, 1721 Oxmoor Road [map], then tree lighting at City Hall plaza

Irondale: parade and tree lighting, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 6, starts at Irondale Elementary School, 225 S. 16th St., ends with tree lighting at City Hall, 101 20th St. S. [map]

Leeds: parade, 7 p.m. Dec. 12, through downtown [map]

Midfield: parade and tree lighting, 10 a.m. Dec. 6, starts at Midfield Community Center [map]

Moody: parade, 5 p.m. Dec. 13, starts at Adesa, 804 Sollie Drive [map]

Mountain Brook: parade, 3 p.m. Dec. 7, starts at Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Village [map]

Pelham: tree lighting, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Road [map]

Pinson: parade, 10 a.m. Dec. 6, starts at Pinson Valley High School, 6895 Alabama 75 [map]

Pleasant Grove: tree lighting, 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 501 Park Road [map]; parade, 9-11 a.m. Dec. 6, starts at CVS, 27 Park Road [map]

Trussville: parade and tree lighting, 3 p.m. Dec. 13, starts at Parkway Drive and Oak Street [map]

Vestavia Hills: tree lighting, 6-8 p.m. Dec 9, Vestavia Hills City Center, 700 Montgomery Highway [map]; parade, 2-4 p.m. Dec. 14, starts at Liberty Park Sports Complex, 4700 Sicard Hollow Road [map]

Vincent: parade, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, starts at Vincent Middle High School, 42505 Shelby County 25 [map]

Westover: parade, 10 a.m. Dec. 13, along Old U.S. 280 [map]

Wilton: parade, 10 a.m. Dec. 6, starts at Bible Baptist Church, 293 Stephens St. [map]

Video: Westover Christmas parade

Did we miss your town’s parade? Let us know in the comments.

“Dumb and Dumber To” is one of the new releases
already discounted in Birmingham.

The holiday movie season is upon us. If you’re the ultimate cheapskate like me, you’ll be enjoying the latest Hollywood releases … around July 2015 on Blu-ray from the library. (Or possibly Redbox.)

I have three easier ways to save at the box office, whether for you and a date or a whole brood of wee watchers.

1. Wait a few weeks and see it at the “dollar theater.” That would be the Carmike 10 in Hoover. Movies are $1.50 for all ages and all showtimes, $3.50 for 3D. Who cares if everyone tweets “Interstellar” spoilers long before you see it in person …

2. See any movie for $5 on Tuesdays (like today) at the Edge 12 in Crestwood Festival Center. Same prices for kids and adults, matinee or late night. Plus, beer and wine, the kind you can buy at the concession stand and not sneak in via your personal flask. Enjoy the Filipino family drama “Edsa Woolworth.” Take in the rock documentary (or “rockumentary”) on Australian musician Nick Cave, “20,000 Days on Earth.”

Or just see “Gone Girl” for the third time.

3. Buy a discount ticket through Dealflicks [aff. link]. I’m a big fan, as it has offered low prices for some time at the Edge 12. This fall, it expanded to all the first-run Carmike houses in Birmingham: Lee Branch 15 in North Shelby County, Patton Creek 15 in Hoover, The Summit 16 and Vestavia Hills 10.

Prices vary depending on release date of the movie and showtime.

For example, the new “Dumb and Dumber To” already has a Dealflicks special for Wednesday evening at Vestavia: $10.25 for ticket and medium popcorn (usually $10.25 just for the ticket). If you wait till Monday, you can see it during matinees at the Edge for $5.60 (or $14 for ticket, large popcorn and large drink), or evening for $7.75 or $14.70, respectively. Edge tickets are regularly $7.50 for matinee and $9 for evening.

I like to think of it like buying plane tickets: prices vary based on popularity of time and cinematic destination. So check the site often for deals, availability and prices.

Did I mention that Carmike Vestavia not only has “Big Hero 6” but also the Jon Stewart-directed “Rosewater” and the Michael Keaton acclaimed indie “Birdman”?

Save on movie tickets, and spend the loot on ugly sweaters.

The Edge 12’s $5 Tuesday includes Disney’s “Big Hero 6.”

Don’t cook — eat. If you celebrate Thanksgiving, but in that all play-no work way, see which Birmingham restaurants have special dinners and to-go options for the holiday.

The Bright Star: $22.95. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Menu includes roast turkey and grilled center-cut ham steak. Also, dinner for eight to go for $125. (205) 426-1861. 304 19th St. N., Bessemer.

•

Cedar’s Grille: $21.95, $12.95 age 2 to 8, free for those younger than 2. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Buffet includes smoked turkey and roast beef. Reservations available by calling (205) 988-5993. 1870 Chace Drive, Hoover.

•

Century Restaurant and Bar at the Tutwiler: Seatings till 2 p.m. Special menu with herb-roasted turkey breast, honey butter sweet potatoes and roasted baby vegetables. (205) 458-9611. 2021 Park Place N., downtown.

•

Dixie Fish Company: $26.99, $11.99 children. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Three-course meal includes turkey, gumbo or salad and dessert. Reservations available by calling (205) 924-3493. 101 Resource Center Pkwy., off U.S. 280, Inverness. [added Nov. 26]

•

Galley and Garden: $55, $25 age 12 and younger. Seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Three-course brunch includes herb-roasted natural turkey, braised short rib and pan-seared mangrove snapper. Reservations available by calling (205) 939-5551. 2220 Highland Ave. S., Southside.

•

Hoover Grille: Open from 5 to 11 p.m. (205) 985-9994 Inside Embassy Suites Birmingham-Hoover, 2960 John Hawkins Pkwy. [map]. [added Nov. 20]

•

Irondale Cafe: $16.99 for meat, three side dishes, dessert and tea or lemonade; $7.99 age 12 and younger for kids’ plate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Menu includes roast turkey, hickory smoked ham and fried buttermilk chicken. (205) 956-5258, info@irondalecafe.com. 1906 First Ave. N., Irondale.

•

Lone Star Steakhouse: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. $16.99 turkey dinner or $6.99 children’s meal for age 12 and younger, or regular menu. (205) 661-9339. 4720 Norrell Drive, Trussville.

•

Renaissance Ross Bridge: S49, $40 senior citizens, $25 age 5 to 12, free age 4 and younger. Seatings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu includes stations for omelets, shrimp and grits, carved meats and pasta. Reservations available by calling (205) 949-3057. 4000 Grand Ave., Hoover.

•

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $38.95, $12.95 children. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Menu includes roasted turkey and cornbread-herb stuffing. Reservations available online. Embassy Suites Hotel, 2300 Woodcrest Pl., Homewood.

•

Seasons 52: $26.95, $12.95 children. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Meal includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes and maple-glazed butternut squash. Reservations available online. (205) 968-5152. The Summit.

•

Sherry’s Cafe and Catering: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Turkey and other entrees. (205) 655-5260. 5800 Valley Road, Ste. 110, Trussville. [added Nov. 15]

•

Silver Coin Indian Grill: Open for dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. (205) 823-9070. 3321 Lorna Road, Ste. 13, Hoover.

•

Todd English PUB: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; regular menu all day, with special Thanksgiving menu served noon-9 p.m. Special menu includes Cornish game hen, salad, butternut squash bisque and caramel pecan bar. Reservations available by calling (205) 307-3700. 2221 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Uptown, downtown. [added Nov. 26]

•

The Wynfrey Hotel/Hyatt: $41, $34 age 65 and older, $17 age 7-12, free age 6 and younger. Seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Menu includes roast cider-brined turkey breast, dry rub prime rib, grits bar and omelet bar. Reservations available by calling (205) 444-5750. Riverchase Galleria, Hoover.

Take-out options

Bistro V: Turkey and side dishes available for pickup Nov. 26. To order, call (205) 823-1505. 521 Montgomery Highway, Ste. 113, Vestavia Hills.

•

Homewood Gourmet: Menu includes side dishes, sauces, soups, casseroles and desserts. Available for pickup Nov. 26. To order, call (205) 871-1620. 1919 28th Ave. S., Homewood.

If we left out a restaurant, please leave a comment below.

The mid-term election ballots have been cast. Results from Tuesday’s races in Alabama and the Birmingham metro area …

Statewide voter turnout was 41 percent, the lowest for a mid-term election since 1986.

More election coverage in our Vote 2014 special report.

(Contested races only)

• D = Democrat | I = incumbent | L = Libertarian | R = Republican
  
• Winner in red

Chart: Alabama governor’s race 2014

• • •

More Vote 2014 coverage.

Photo: Ludovic Bertron (CC)

Excellent … polls have opened till 7 tonight for races at the local, state and national levels.

Q: Where do I vote?

A: Call Jefferson County: (205) 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): (205) 481-4105, Shelby County: (205) 669-3913.

Or Search Your Polling Place on AlabamaVotes.gov.

Wade on Birmingham:
election results tonight

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

• Notify a poll worker immediately.
• Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
• Call the secretary of state at 1-800-274-VOTE (8683) or visit his site, StopVoterFraudNow.com.
• And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (205-325-5203) or Shelby County (205-669-3713).
• E-mail us at Vote2014[at]wadeonbirmingham.com.

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out these sample ballots for each county.

You’re voting for U.S. Senator and Representative, state (including governor) and county officials.

Q: And what about all those amendments?

A: A few insights from WBHM (90.3 FM).

Who are you voting for today? Tell us in the comments.

• • •

More Vote 2014 coverage.

Into the woods: The Moss Rock Festival hits
Hoover this weekend.

Hoover’s eco-spectaular 9th annual Moss Rock Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at Moss Rock Preserve. These nine notes will help you get ready for this free event …

1. Ten bands will perform on the Crescent Stage, from Choko Aiken, right, to Alexa Rankin.

2. Hunting is allowed. Hunting for geocaches, that is. Find the hidden treasures of Moss Rock Preserve with wits and a GPS device. Geocaching workshops take place on the hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Experts will help teach newcomers to the sport.

3. Forget Halloween. The sugary treats will be at the Sweetery, the successor to the Nature of Cakes Expo from previous festivals. Five bucks gets six samples of pies, cakes, cookies, baklava and more from area bakers.

4. This 4-minute video guide from Real World Productions.

5. Beer! The Beer Garden will have three afternoon craft beer tastings, $20, $25 at the festival. Two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday will offer dozens of brews from Alabama and across the nation, including hometown favorites Avondale Brewing, Cahaba Brewing, Good People and Trim Tab.

6. Works from 100 artists will be on display.

7. Children will have a chance to flex their creative muscles at WonderKid Studios. Artists will teach participants different types of expression, including paper Mexican folk art, recycled mixed media and mask collages. Nearby will be Planet Project, class art collaborations from 10 schools in Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

8. The new Smart Stage will feature educational topics, such as nutrition, energy efficiency, beekeeping and more.

9. Moss Rock Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Parking is at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium [map], with shuttles running all day to and from the festival site. For more information, visit the festival website.

Moss Rock Festival

• Website | Facebook | Twitter @MossRockFest | Instagram

With a few weeks left till Election Day, voters still have time to study the candidates and issues.

We have the sample ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties for the general election. (The Jefferson County ballot has 178 versions, one for every sub-district.)

Find your polling place/districts.

The ballot has five state amendments, top state and county offices, plus one contested Congressional seat for the metro area.

And check out the Alabama Voter Guide 2014, with voting procedures and frequently asked questions.

For easier viewing, you can print, download or zoom to full screen with each ballot.

Election Day is Nov. 4.

• • •

Sample ballots for all 67 counties.

• • •

Jefferson County

[Mobile version]

• • •

Shelby County

[Mobile version]

• • •

Alabama Voter Guide 2014

[Mobile version]

• • •

More Vote 2014 coverage.

Many newspaper subscribers in Alabama and Georgia won’t see today’s front page. Not unless their carrier has snow tires or a hover car.

Winter Storm Leon hit Alabama and Georgia Tuesday with an unexpected 1 to 2 inches of midday snow. The sudden accumulation in freezing temperatures created roadway hazards for cities in both states. A reported five are dead, with hundreds of vehicles temporarily abandoned along interstate highways and roads.

Thousands of children in Hoover, along with several hundred in Birmingham, stayed overnight in school with their teachers. (More than 11,000 students statewide remained in their schools.) Motorists who abandoned their cars and trucks found shelter at nearby businesses and churches, while many stuck it out at their workplaces.

Below are today’s newspapers, with front pages showing Leon’s aftermath.

Alabama

The Anniston Star

The Birmingham News

The Decatur Daily

Dothan Eagle

The (Florence) TimesDaily

The Gadsden Times

The Huntsville Times

(Mobile) Press-Register

The Montgomery Advertiser

The Opelika-Auburn News

The Selma Times-Journal

The Tuscaloosa News

Georgia

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The (Canton) Cherokee Tribune

The (Carrollton) Times-Georgian

The Douglas County Sentinel

The Gwinnett Daily Post

The Marietta Daily Journal

Also:

• April 27 tornadoes: Alabama newspaper front pages
  
• April 27 tornadoes: national newspaper front pages
• April 27 tornadoes: international newspaper front pages

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin celebrates with his team
Sunday over their BBVA Compass Bowl invitation.

The state of Alabama excels at football. Doubters, see evidence below …

• While No. 2 Auburn heads west to play for the national championship, rival No. 3 Alabama (11-1) will play Jan. 2 in the Sugar Bowl. Facing the Tide in New Orleans will be No. 11 Oklahoma (10-2).

Should both Auburn and Alabama win their bowl games, they could end the season ranked 1 and 2.

• Alabama and Auburn received additional good news today, as Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron and Tigers running back Tre Mason received invites as finalists to the Heisman ceremony Saturday in New York.

Leading candidate Jameis Winston, left, quarterback at No. 1 Florida State, is a Hueytown native.

• Closer to home, the BBVA Compass Bowl will feature Vanderbilt and Houston, both 8-4. The Jan. 4 game at Legion Field will be the last to feature the bank as title sponsor; a new sponsor has not been announced.

Vanderbilt last played in a Birmingham bowl game in 1982, for the Dec. 31 Hall of Fame Classic. The Commodores lost to Air Force 36-28 (and yes, I was at that game).

• Mobile will hold its two annual bowl games. The GoDaddy Bowl on Jan. 5 will pit returnees Ball State (10-2) against Arkansas State (7-5). It’s Arkansas State’s third consecutive appearance, and the first for Ball State since 2009.

And the 65th Senior Bowl will take place Jan. 25.

• With 78 bowl-eligible teams but only 70 slots, someone has to stay home and watch all these games. Alabama teams Troy and South Alabama — both 6-6 — didn’t receive invites.

• In last week’s state high school championships, Hoover beat Auburn 20-3 in 6A, a second consecutive title and 30 straight wins. Madison Academy topped Leeds 31-14 in 3A.

Hoover, right, defeated Vestavia Hills 31-28
in Friday’s semifinals.

Two Birmingham-area teams are back in the state high school football championship games this week. Defending 6A champ Hoover is making its 13th trip in 14 years, while Leeds returns for its third trip to the 3A finals in 5 years.

Hoover (14-0) will play Auburn (13-1) on Friday. Leeds (12-2) will play undefeated Madison Academy today. The Green Wave of Leeds won titles in 2008 and 2010.

All Super Six games take place today and Friday at Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium, airing on CBS 42.2 and streaming online. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the gate, and available online.

Today

• 11 a.m.: Class 3A: Leeds (12-2) vs. Madison Academy (14-0)
• 3 p.m.: Class 1A: Maplesville (14-0) vs. Pickens Co. (14-0)
• 7 p.m.: Class 5A: Spanish Fort (14-0) vs. Muscle Shoals (13-1)

Friday

• 11 a.m.: Class 4A: Charles Henderson (14-0) vs. Oneonta (13-1)
• 3 p.m.: Class 2A: Washington Co. (13-1) vs. Tanner (12-1)
• 7 p.m.: Class 6A: Auburn (13-1) vs. Hoover (14-0)

Georgetown defeated San Diego 3-1 Saturday at
home to earn its first trip to the Final Four.

Baseball may be dead in Hoover (for the time being), but soccer lives on.

The Final Four compete at Regions Park this weekend for the NCAA Division I men’s soccer championship, with Georgetown against Maryland and Creighton against Indiana.

UAB (10-8-2), the sole team from Alabama, lost in the first round Nov. 15 to UNC-Charlotte (15-4-3). If that sounds familiar, the Blazers lost to Charlotte in the 2011 opening round, too; the 49ers went on to lose to North Carolina in the finals.

No. 2 Maryland (20-1-2) plays No. 3 Georgetown (19-3-2) in the first semi-final match; No. 16 Indiana (14-5-3) faces No. 12 Creighton (17-3-3) right after. Creighton’s trip to the 2011 Final Four in Hoover ended against Charlotte in a double overtime 4-1 shootout.

The first semi-final takes place at 4 p.m. Friday, while the second follows at 6:30. The championship game takes place at 1 p.m. Sunday.

All games air on ESPNU. Tickets are $20, for either both Friday semifinal matches or the Sunday championship, $35 for all three in advance online or $20 per day at the gate and free for age 1 and younger.

For more information, visit the NCAA College Cup Soccer website.

Also:

• Tournament bracket

Video: The official BCS rankings putting Alabama
and Notre Dame in the top game.

For those who enjoy the comforts of seeing the same teams again and again, this football post-season is for you …

• No. 2 Alabama capped another stellar season with an 11-1 record, a win over Georgia Saturday night for the SEC Championship and a BCS title fight against undefeated No. 1 Notre Dame next month.

The two storied programs haven’t faced each other in 25 years. Notre Dame leads the series 5-1, going back to New Year’s Eve 1973.

This marks the Tide’s third trip in 4 years, and the fourth consecutive year the state is represented in the national championship. The game takes place Jan. 7 in Miami and airs at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

• It wouldn’t be the BBVA Compass Bowl without Pitt. Literally.

Since the bank took over title sponsorship in late 2010, the 2011 and 2012 games invited Big East-but-soon-to-be-ACC member Pittsburgh to Birmingham’s bowl game.

Pitt (6-6) returns Jan. 5 to face the SEC’s representative, Ole Miss (6-6), making its first appearance in the game.

Kickoff is at noon at Legion Field, airing on ESPN. Tickets are $30 and $50 and can be purchased online or by calling (877) 464-9529.

• Hoover will play for the 6A state high school championship Friday. If that sounds familiar, it might be because this represents the Bucs’ 12th trip in the past 13 years. Dynasty much?

Undefeated Hoover plays Opelika (10-4) at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, McAdory (14-0) makes its first trip to the big game on Thursday. The Yellow Jackets face Spanish Fort for the 5A title at 7 p.m.

All Super Six games take place Thursday and Friday at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, airing on My68. Tickets are $10 and available online.

View Recycle cooking oil in Birmingham in a larger map

Map: Recycle cooking oil at 27 locations in Jefferson County.

Deep-frying the Thanksgiving turkey has grown in popularity over the years, and so has the oil needed to cook those birds. The average fryer requires 2 to 3 gallons of peanut or vegetable oil.

Rather than toss it — and pollute our water supply — home cooks have another option: recycling.

Jefferson County set up 17 stations (shown in blue) for residents to pick up containers and drop off used cooking oil and grease. Donors are asked to allow oil to cool first and use either the provided containers or non-glass containers.

The City of Hoover has been using alternative fuel since 2004, recycling cooking oil on site to use in municipal vehicles. It has its own 10 dropoff centers (shown in green): all nine fire stations and the library.

Hoover collects close to 10,000 gallons annually for recycling into bio-diesel fuel.

For more information on Jefferson County’s program, call (205) 238-3876. For more information on Hoover’s program, contact (205) 444-7655 or fire@ci.hoover.al.us.

Photo: Joe (CC)

Election Day 2012 is over. Except for the counting and the analysis. Results from today’s races in Alabama and the Birmingham metro area …

More election coverage in our Vote 2012 special report.

(Updating throughout the evening.)

(Contested races only)

• D = Democrat | I = incumbent | R = Republican
  
• Winner in red

Tweets

This just in on Twitter …

Don't know why I'm so paranoid about privacy filling out ballot. Seems like the one thing I'd want someone to copy off me.

— Wade Kwon, Data Guru (@WadeOnTweets) November 6, 2012

ALGOP is proud to deliver our electoral votes to @MittRomney and @PaulRyanVP! #alpolitics

— ALGOP (@ALGOP) November 7, 2012

Band performing at Roy Moore headquarters singing Christian version of “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Crowd seems to like it. #alpolitics

— South Union Street (@SouthUnionSt) November 7, 2012

Remember: The saints you vote in today will be the bums you toss in the next election.

— Wade Kwon, Data Guru (@WadeOnTweets) November 7, 2012

AL Rep. Party announces they are closing the bar bc they are out of booze. #cbs42 #42election

— Shanisty Ireland (@shanistyireland) November 7, 2012

Election Night 2012: More fun than a binder full of women!

— Wade Kwon, Data Guru (@WadeOnTweets) November 7, 2012

Alabama calls for special secession referendum in 3 … 2 … 1 … #alpolitics

— Wade Kwon, Data Guru (@WadeOnTweets) November 7, 2012

Hey America, get ready for some bat shit crazy stuff to start flowing out of Alabama's new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court! #facepalm

— Jeff Moore (@shadowhelm) November 7, 2012

https://twitter.com/theBGrass/status/266055702567608320

Secretary of State @BethChapmanAL says 72.37 percent of voters went to polls on Tuesday. In 2008, turnout was about 73 percent. #alpolitics

— South Union Street (@SouthUnionSt) November 7, 2012

(Or visit the TweetGrid page.)

Facebook

Visit the Birmingham, Ala., page on Facebook.

•

Know someone sorely disappointed in the outcome?
Send them the post-election moving kit.

•

Republicans win all statewide offices.
Has Alabama blossomed as a red state?
My essay from 2010. 

• • •

More Vote 2012 coverage.

Photo: Steve Terrell (CC)

On your mark, get set, vote! Polls are open from now till 7 tonight for national, state and local races.

Q: Where do I vote?

A: Call Jefferson County: (205) 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): (205) 481-4105, Shelby County: (205) 669-3913.

Or Search Your Polling Place on AlabamaVotes.gov.

Wade on Birmingham:
election results tonight

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

• Notify a poll worker immediately.
• Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
• Call the secretary of state at 1-800-274-VOTE (8683) or visit her site, StopVoterFraudNow.com.
• And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (205-325-5203) or Shelby County (205-669-3713).
• E-mail us at Vote2012[at]wadeonbirmingham.com.

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out these sample ballots for each county.

You’re voting for president, U.S. Representative, state and county officials.

Q: And what about all those amendments?

A: Some last-minute recommendations from Alabama Media Group, Left in Alabama, the Attack Machine and Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

Who are you voting for today? Tell us in the comments.

• • •

More Vote 2012 coverage.