2020 general election
The 2020 general election was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 to fill a range of county, state and federal offices, including, notably, electors for the office of President of the United States.
By comparison, 189,069 were cast in the 2020 primaries (33% turnout), and 626,551 ballots were cast in the runoffs (17.4% turnout), driven mostly by interest in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff between Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville.
Due to the ongoing 2020 Coronavirus pandemic the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program filed a lawsuit seeking to force Alabama to give residents more options to vote while maintaining social distancing guidelines from public health authorities. Attorney General of Alabama Steve Marshall argued against the suit. Judge Abdul Kallon ruled that the state should allow local election authorities to provide curbside voting, and loosen absentee ballot requirements. His decision was stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court on July 2 for the runoff election, but Kallon was allowed to continue hearings. On September 30, Kallon affirmed his orders for the general election.
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill ruled that polling places could not require the wearing of face coverings, but that those concerned about transmission of the virus would be able to mark, "I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls." on their ballot application without penalty. All other rules, including a requirement to enclose a photocopy of a state-issued ID, have two witnesses or a notary certify the signature, and to mail or personally hand-deliver the ballot to a county absentee election official, remained in place.
As part of an executive order issued on September 30, Governor Kay Ivey approved the use of remote training for poll workers, increased their compensation, and ordered counting of absentee ballots to begin at 7:00 AM on election day rather than after polls close.
Results
Federal offices
- President of the United States and Vice President of the United States
- Donald Trump and Mike Pence (Republican Party, incumbent)
- Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (Democratic Party)
- United States Senate
- Doug Jones (D, incumbent)
- Tommy Tuberville (R)
Statewide offices
- Supreme Court of Alabama, Place 1
- Greg Shaw (R, incumbent, unopposed)
- Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 2
- Matt Fridy (R, unopposed)
- Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1
- Mary Windom (R, incumbent, unopposed)
- Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2
- Beth Kellum (R, unopposed)
- President, Alabama Public Service Commission
- Twinkle Cavanaugh (R, incumbent)
- Laura Casey (D)
Jefferson County offices
- Jefferson County Treasurer
- Eyrika Parker (D, unopposed)
- Jefferson County Tax Collector
- J. T. Smallwood (D, unopposed)
- Jefferson County District Court Judge, Place 1
- Martha Cook (D, unopposed)
- Jefferson County District Court Judge, Place 7
- Ruby Davis (D, unopposed
- Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge, Place 1
- Kechia Davis (D, unopposed)
Other ballot measures
References
- Chandler, Kim (July 2, 2020) "Supreme Court blocks curbside voting in Alabama." Associated Press
- Cason, Mike (July 20, 2020) "Merrill extends COVID-19 emergency absentee voting rule to general election." The Birmingham News
- Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (September 9, 2020) "Polling Place Changes Prompt Jefferson County to Send Out New, More Colorful Cards." BirminghamWatch
- Lyman, Brian (September 30, 2020) "Gov. Kay Ivey extends mask order to November." Montgomery Advertiser
- Cason, Mike (September 30, 2020) "Judge rules Alabama counties can offer curbside voting, blocks some absentee voting laws." The Birmingham News
External links
- 2020 Election information at sos.alabama.gov
- Elections results at jccal.org