RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Local, state and national races in '08 This year will be a big election year in Alabama and across the nation, with races ranging from the smallest municipalities to the highest office in the nation, that of president of the United States. Alabamians will have the opportunity to vote casting ballots for whom they want to be Democratic and Republican nominees for president in a presidential primary on Feb. 5. Termed "Super Duper Tuesday," 23 states will be holding presidential primaries for one or both political parties on that day. Many states pushed up their primary dates in an attempt to gain influence in deciding the candidates. It appears that the party nominees could be decided earlier than ever. Iowa and New Hampshire, the traditional early bird voting states, wouldn't be outdone, however. Iowans will hold their presidential caucuses today, Jan. 3 and New Hampshire's primary will be Jan. 8. Presidential candidates Democrats on the ballot in Alabama on Feb. 5 include U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, U.S. Sen. and former First Lady Hillary Clinton of New York, U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, former U.S. Sen. and vice presidential nominee John Edwards of North Carolina, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Voters will vote for delegates pledged to specific candidates. Lynda Malone of Grove Hill is running as a Clinton delegate, State Rep. Thomas E. Jackson is an Obama delegate hopeful. There may be other local delegates. The Republican ballot will have many more choices. Candidates include former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, U.S. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas, U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado and U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter of California. Also running on the GOP ballot is perennial candidate Alan Keyes and Dr. Hugh Cort, a Mountain Brook physician. Tuesday, Feb. 5 is Mardi Gras Day, or "Fat Tuesday," a big holiday in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Officials there had wanted the primary changed but when it wasn't opted for early voting provisions that they hope voters will take advantage of. June 3 primary This year is considered an "off" year for state and county races but a number will be on the June 3 state and counties primary ballots, including all congressional seats, some State Supreme Court and appellant court seats, Public Service Commission president and some state school board positions. On the county level, three Clarke County Commission seats will be on the ballot- District 2 held by Paul Bradford, District 4 held by Joe Hunt and District 5 held by Rhondel Rhone. Also, the license commissioner spot, now held by Linda Goodman, formerly Linda Kelley, is up for election. The county revenue commissioner office will be on the ballot too. Chris Beverly was appointed to the post when Jay Duke moved to the circuit clerk's office in 2007. The superintendent of education office will also be on the ballot. Gerald Stephens is the incumbent. School board seats include District 1, held by Marty Parker, who was appointed since the last election when the incumbent Gina Fleming moved out of the district; District 2 where Charlie Anderson is the incumbent and District 5 where Clinton Hawkins is the incumbent. The Clarke County district judge position, held by Judge Bill Kimbrough, will also be on the ballot. Any runoffs will be held July 15. Municipal elections Many Alabama municipalities will also hold elections on Aug. 26. Any runoffs will be Oct. 7. The mayors and all council members are up for election in Grove Hill, Jackson, Thomasville, Coffeeville and Fulton. November general election
Finally, the November general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 4. That's when a new president will be elected. Other state and county races will be decided if there are two or more candidates.
|
for larger version       |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
