2018 Voter Guide: Who's Who on the Ballot

The 2018 Midterm Election is Alabama's next chance to vote. This statewide election will determine seats for local, state, and federal positions. Read more about Voting in the 2018 Midterms: What You Need to Know.

This guide provides a description of the elected positions in Alabama, as well as some links to candidates who are running for those positions. It is not intended to assess any candidate's fitness for a position, nor does it recommend any candidate over another candidate. We encourage all voters to research their own candidates to decide who they want to vote for. Here are suggestions on how to learn more about the candidates:

Follow them online. Go to their campaign website, sign up for their emails, and like their pages on social media.
Go to events. Attend candidate forums, debates, and other campaign events where they are speaking. Come prepared with your questions.
Read the news. Many local news outlets, such as Alabama Political Reporter, AL.com, Montgomery Advertiser, and others publish more detailed candidate profiles in the weeks leading up to an election. While some sources may be more or less reliable than others, reading a variety of sources can provide a good overview of a candidate and their history of public service.

Executive

Governor

The governor of Alabama is the head of the executive branch, charged with faithfully executing state laws, commanding our state’s military forces (Army National Guard and Air National Guard), and signing or vetoing bills from the state legislature. The governor also has the power to declare a state of emergency, to call a special session for the state legislature, and to pardon people with criminal convictions.

Kay Ivey (R)
Walt Maddox (D)

Lieutenant Governor

The lieutenant governor of Alabama is the second ranking officer in the executive branch and the first in line to succeed the Governor. The lieutenant governor also acts as president of the Senate and is the tie-breaking vote.

Will Ainsworth (R)
Will Boyd (D)

Attorney General

The attorney general defends the state of Alabama in suits against the state. The attorney general also provides legal advice to state and county officers, offers advisory opinions on the constitutionality of bills in the legislature, and is responsible for requesting execution dates for prisoners on death row. The attorney general may direct the prosecution of any criminal case in any of the courts of the state.

Steve Marshall (R)
Joseph Siegelman (D)

Secretary of State

The secretary of state is Alabama’s chief election official and certifies vote totals, candidate qualifications, and ballots. The secretary of state also maintains state government’s official documents and public records.

John Merrill (R)
Heather Milam (D)

State Treasurer

The treasurer handles all deposits, payments, investments, and other financial dealings on behalf of the state of Alabama.

John McMillan (R)*

State Auditor

The auditor is constitutionally required to report annually on all receipts and disbursements of every character, all claims audited and paid out, and all taxes and revenues collected into the treasury.

Miranda Joseph (D)
Jim Zeigler (R)

State Board of Education

The board of education consists of nine members who authorize the education policy for the state of Alabama and who appoint the state Superintendent. The Governor acts as the president of the board, while the other eight members are elected to four year terms. Four members from the odd districts are elected in presidential election years, while the four members from even districts are elected during midterm election years.

District 2
Adam Jortner (D)
Tracie West (R)

District 4
Yvette M. Richardson (D)
Don Wallace (R)

District 6
Cynthia McCarty (R)*

District 8
Jessica Fortune Barker (D)
Wayne Reynolds (R)

Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries

The commissioner manages the state’s Department of Agriculture and Industries, which oversees farms, animal and plant industry, pesticides, and other agricultural products.

Rick Pate (R)*

Public Service Commission

Public Service Commissioners are tasked with overseeing the regulation of public transportation such as railroads and tolls and public utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and solar, including the sale or lease of utility properties. Their mission states that they are to "provide consumers with safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are equitable and economical" (via psc.state.al.us). The commission consists of a president and two associates designated Place 1 and Place 2.

Place 1
Cara McClure (D)
Jeremy H. Oden (R)

Place 2
Chip Beeker, Jr. (R)
Kari Powell (D)

County Sheriff

The sheriff is an elected position for the chief law enforcement officer for the county. Some counties have specific laws that govern the office of the sheriff differently than other counties. The Alabama Supreme Court has held that the Alabama county sheriffs are state officers and thus immune to most legal actions.

To see if there are candidates running for this position in your county/district, please check the Alabama Secretary of State's sample ballots for your county here: https://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/election-information/2018.

Judicial

Alabama Supreme Court

The state Supreme Court has authority to review decisions rendered by other state courts, to determine legal matters that no other court has jurisdiction over, and to establish administrative practices and procedures for all state courts. Their ruling on a case is typically final, and they are not bound by decisions of lower federal courts. The chief justice acts as administrative head of Alabama’s judicial system but does not have additional authority or power during judicial proceedings.

Chief Justice
Tom Parker (R)
Bob Vance, Jr. (D)

Place 1
Sarah Hicks Stewart (R)*

Place 2
Tommy Bryan (R)*

Place 3
Will Sellers (R)*

Place 4
Jay Mitchell (R)
Donna Wesson Smalley (D)

Criminal Appeals

The Court of Criminal Appeals hears matters that have been decided at the circuit court level, including exclusive jurisdiction over all misdemeanors, felonies, and habeas corpus.

Place 1
Richard Minor (R)*

Place 2
Chris McCool (R)*

Place 3
Bill Cole (R)*

Civil Appeals

The Court of Civil Appeals hears matters such as divorce, custody, worker’s compensation, and appeals from administrative agencies. Their jurisdiction applies in cases where the amount in question is less than $50,000.

Place 1
Christy Edwards (R)*

Place 2
Chad Hanson (R)*

Place 3
Terry Moore (R)*

District Attorneys

A District Attorney (DA) is the chief prosecutor for a local government area in Alabama. DAs are responsible for presenting cases against individuals and groups who are suspected of breaking the law, initiating and directing further criminal investigations, guiding and recommending the sentencing of offenders, and are the only attorneys allowed to participate in grand jury proceedings. They have the sole power to decide if criminal charges are filed and the severity of those charges, including whether someone is considered for a death sentence.

Alabama DAs are elected to six year terms, with the next election set for 2022; however, a special election has been called for Jefferson County. These candidates will be on the same ballot as the rest of the midterm candidates.

Jefferson County
Mike Anderton (R)
Danny Carr (D)

District Courts

District courts are trial courts of limited jurisdiction. This limited jurisdiction includes criminal misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony prosecutions, and in cases where the dollar amount is more than $3,000 (small claims) and less than $10,000 (circuit court).

To see if there are candidates running for this position in your county/district, please check the Alabama Secretary of State's sample ballots for your county here: https://sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/election-information/2018.

Circuit Courts

These courts have jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions, some juvenile courts, and in certain appeals from a lower court.

Circuit Clerk and Deputy Clerk

The administrative and fiscal officer for the court system at the district and circuit level. This includes acting as custodian of records, absentee election manager for absentee ballots, and overseeing jury management. Circuit clerks must make monthly reports as to fines and fees collected. The circuit clerk does not make policy.

Legislative

Alabama House of Representatives

While both legislative bodies pass bills on public policy matters, set levels for state spending, raise or lower taxes, the House is the only chamber that can originate revenue bills. They are also able to override a gubernatorial veto with a simple majority.

To see a full list of candidates, go to the Alabama State Legislature Candidates 2018.

Alabama Senate

While both legislative bodies pass bills on public policy matters, set levels for state spending, raise or lower taxes, the Senate has the sole power of confirmation of certain appointees. They are also the deliberative body and able to have lengthier debates.

To see a full list of candidates, go to the Alabama State Legislature Candidates 2018.

U.S. House of Representatives

Congressional representatives are responsible for crafting, debating, and passing federal law, in coordination with the U.S. Senate. The House was envisioned to represent the popular will, so that voters in each state elect their representatives directly. The House also has unique powers, such as initiating revenue bills and impeachment.

District 1: Bradley Byrne (R), Robert Kennedy, Jr. (D)

District 2: Tabitha Isner (D), Martha Roby (R)

District 3: Mallory Hagan (D), Mike Rogers (R)

District 4: Robert Aderholt (R), Lee Auman (D)

District 5: Mo Brooks (R), Peter Joffrion (D)

District 6: Danner Kline (D), Gary Palmer (R)

District 7: Terri Sewell (D)*

* - winner, uncontested

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Dates and Deadlines

October 22, 2018 - Voter registration deadline for general election
November 1, 2018 - Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the general election
November 5, 2018 - Last day for voter to hand-deliver or postmark an absentee ballot
November 6, 2018 - Statewide General Election

Resources

We have also created resources to help inform Alabamians about voting in the 2018 midterms.

Handout: 2018 Voter Guide [PDF]
Infographic: Road to the 2018 Midterms [PNG]
Infographic: I'm Ready to Be a Voter [PNG]
Infographic: Crossover Voting in Alabama [PNG]
Infographic: While You Are Voting [PNG]

Page last revised: August 6, 2018