November 3, 2020
Sample Ballot

Below you will find links to the major areas on your ballot for November 3rd, 2020 including candidates running unopposed, local versus national level, and amendments that have been added for the state of Alabama. The Common Ballot references those candidates being voted on at a state-wide and city level, and District Candidates refers to the 6 districts in Huntsville and any positions up for election in each. District level candidates can only be voted on by those who live within that district. If you are unsure what district you live in, don’t hesitate to reach out and one of our Volunteers can help you find your district.

Alabama is one of six states that still use Straight-Party Voting, which started losing popularity between the 1960’s and 70’s due to an overly complex system. On today’s ballots, Straight-Party Voting is as simple as choosing either the Democratic or Republican party and any candidates that are part of your party of choice will automatically receive your vote. However, if you would like to vote for any candidate running for any office outside the party that you have chosen at the beginning of your ballot, you may do so by marking the space next to the candidate’s name.  

Common Ballot



Contested offices (President and Vice President of the USA, Alabama’s US Senator, and the Public Service Commission President) are listed first and followed by all of the uncontested offices and those running for election on the sample ballot for the general election on November 3rd, 2020.

Candidates for President &
Vice President of the USA



Contested offices (President and Vice President of the USA, Alabama’s US Senator, and the Public Service Commission President) are listed first and followed by all of the uncontested offices and those running for election on the sample ballot for the general election on November 3rd, 2020.

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JOSEPH R. BIDEN & KAMALA D. HARRIS

Democratic Party Candidates



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DONALD J. TRUMP & MICHAEL R. PENCE
Republican Party Candidates/Incumbents



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JO JORGENSEN & JEREMY “Spike” COHEN
Libertarian Party Candidates



Candidates for United States Senator of Alabama


We have taken the time to compile information on both candidates from several sources about both the candidate and their political platform, and have provided the information below. You can find more about each candidate by following the link to their website provided below, or by following some of the links provided in the sources section.

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DOUG JONES
Democratic Candidate

https://dougjones.com/


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TOMMY TUBERVILLE
Republican Candidate

https://tommyforsenate.com/issues/



Candidates for Public Service Commission President


We have taken the time to compile information on both candidates from several sources about both the candidate and their political platform, and have provided the information below. You can find more about each candidate by following the link to their website provided below, or by following some of the links provided in the sources section.


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LAURA CASEY
Democratic Candidate

*This candidate has responded to the Vote Huntsville Questionnaire and we have shared her responses here. 



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TWINKLE ANDRESS CAVANAUGH
Republican Candidate

*This candidate has not responded to the Vote Huntsville Questionnaire if and when she does, her responses will be shared here. 



Uncontested Positions


An uncontested election is an election in which the number of candidates is the same or less than the number of places available for election meaning all candidates are guaranteed to be elected. Uncontested single-winner elections are where only one candidate is running for office. In some uncontested elections, the normal process, of voters casting ballots and election official counting votes, is canceled as superfluous and costly; in other cases, the election proceeds as a formality. There are some election systems where the absence of opposing candidates may not guarantee victory; possible factors are a quorum or minimum voter turnout; none of the above options; or write-in candidate options on the ballot.


UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE, 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

MO BROOKS
Republican Candidate


ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PLACE NO. 1

GREG SHAW
Republican Candidate


ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PLACE NO. 2

BRAD MENDHEIM
Republican Candidate


COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 1

WILLIAM C. “Bill” THOMPSON
Republican Candidate


COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 2

MATT FRIDY
Republican Candidate


COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 1

MARY WINDOM
Republican Candidate


COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 2

BETH KELLUM
Republican Candidate


CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, PLACE NO. 2

ALISON AUSTIN
Republican Candidate


CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, PLACE NO. 4

CLAUDE HUNDLEY
Republican Candidate


DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, MADISON COUNTY, PLACE NO. 1

PATRICK M. TUTEN
Republican Candidate


DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, MADISON COUNTY, PLACE NO. 4

DON RIZZARDI
Republican Candidate


CHAIRMAN, MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION

DALE STRONG
Republican Candidate


MADISON COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR

CLIFF MANN
Republican Candidate


MADISON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

VALERIE MILES
Republican Candidate


MADISON COUNTY LICENSE DIRECTOR

MARK CRAIG
Republican Candidate

District Candidates



Currently, none of the candidates running for Madison County Commission Members for Districts 1-6 are contested. However, in Alabama, you are allowed to write-in candidates for these offices and oftentimes there are write-in campaigns from locals looking to be elected.


MEMBER, MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 1

TOM BRANDON
Republican Candidate


MEMBER, MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 2

STEVE HARAWAY
Republican Candidate


MEMBER, MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 3

CRAIG W. HILL
Republican Candidate


MEMBER, MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 4

PHIL VANDIVER
Republican Candidate


MEMBER, MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 5

PHIL RIDDICK
Republican Candidate


MEMBER, MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 6

VIOLET EDWARDS
Democrat Candidate

Amendments



The Alabama State legislature proposes constitutional amendments during their legislative sessions. If the amendment passes with a three-fifths or 60% vote, then the amendment gets put on the statewide ballot. This is why you are allowed to vote on amendments that impact areas all over the state and not just near where you live. If the majority of voters vote in favor of the amendments, then they will be added to the state constitution. 

Amendment 1


Amendment 1 on your ballot is about voting rights. This amendment is seeking to change the wording of this amendment. It currently states [A1]:

“Every citizen of the United States who has attained the age of eighteen years and has resided in this state and in a county thereof for the time provided by law, if registered as provided by law, shall have the right to vote in the county of his or her residence. The Legislature may prescribe reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as prerequisites to registration for voting. The Legislature shall, by statute, prescribe a procedure by which eligible citizens can register to vote”


At A Glance

The proposed amendment is seeking to change the word “every” to “only”.

  •  If you vote “yes” you are choosing to change the wording.
  •  If you vote “no” you are choosing to keep the wording the same.

Amendment 2


Amendment 2 on your ballot is about the Judicial System Restructuring Measure. The following are the 6 proposed changes to the state judicial system [A1].

“Provides that county districts do not have to hold city court in a city with a population of less than 1,000

Allows the Alabama Supreme Court, rather than the Chief Justice, to appoint the Administrative Director of Courts.

Increases from 9 to 11 the total membership of the Judicial Inquiry Commission and determines who appoints each member (the Judicial Inquiry Commission evaluates ethics complaints filed against judges).

Allows the Governor, rather than the Lieutenant Governor, to appoint a member of the Court of the Judiciary (the Court of the Judiciary hears complaints filed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission).

Prevents a judge from being automatically disqualified from holding office simply because a complaint was filed with the Judiciary Inquiry Commission.

Provides that a judge can be removed from office only by the Court of the Judiciary.”


At A Glance

  • If you vote “yes” on Amendment 2, you are voting to support these changes and revisions of the state constitution.
  • If you vote “no” on Amendment 2, you are choosing to keep the existing provisions.

Amendment 3



Amendment 3 on your ballot is another state judiciary proposition. The following is the Madison  County Sample Ballot summary for this Amendment [A1]:

“This amendment changes the initial term of a judge that is appointed to fill a vacancy due to death, resignation, retirement, or removal. The current law and this proposed amendment do not apply to probate judges. 

Under current law, the initial term of office for a person appointed to fill a vacancy in a judgeship shall last until the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the next general election held after the person has completed one year in office or the remainder of the original term for the judge elected to the office which is vacant, whichever is longer.  The term of appointment could vary widely due to years left in the original term. At the election, the judicial office shall be filled for a full term. Under this amendment, a judge appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve an initial term lasting until the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the next general election held after the person has completed two years in office. At the election, the judicial office shall be filled for a full term.”


At A Glance

Circuit Court judges and District Court judges, when elected, serve in six-year terms. 

  • If you vote “yes” you are voting to have appointed judges serve a two-year term before having the chance to be reelected
  • If you vote “no” you are voting to keep the process the same which means having appointed judges serve a one-year term or the remainder of the original term (whichever is longer) before facing reelection. 

Amendment 4


Amendment 4 on your ballot is about constitutional language. The following is the Madison County Sample Ballot summary for this amendment [A1]:

“Alabama’s constitution can be changed only during a constitutional convention or when a majority of voters approve a constitutional amendment. 

If a majority of voters vote “yes” on Amendment 4, the Alabama Legislature, when it meets in 2022, would be allowed to draft a rearranged version of the state constitution. This draft could only (1) remove racist language, (2) remove language that is repeated or no longer applies, (3) combine language related to economic development, and (4) combine language that relates to the same county. No other changes could be made. 

Even if passed by the Alabama Legislature, this rearranged version would not become law until it was approved by the majority of voters.“


At A Glance

  • If you vote “yes” you are voting to support a rearrangement draft of the Alabama Constitution that would remove racist language, remove outdated and repeated language, combine economic development language, and combine language relating to the same county.
  • If you vote “no” you are voting to keep the Alabama Constitution as is and oppose the rearrangement draft. 

Amendment 5


Amendment 5 on your ballot deals with firearms and “Stand Your Ground” laws. The following is the Madison County Sample Ballot summary for this amendment [A1]:

“Alabama’s “Stand Your Ground” law allows a person to legally use physical force against another person under certain conditions. The law does not require the person to retreat before using physical force.

If a majority of voters in Alabama vote “yes” on Amendment 5, and if, in addition, a majority of voters in Franklin County vote “yes” on Amendment 5, the state constitution would contain a special “Stand Your Ground” law that applies to churches in Franklin County only. 

If a majority of voters in Alabama vote “no” on Amendment 5, or, if a majority of voters in Franklin County vote “no” on Amendment 5, the state constitution would not contain a special “Stand Your Ground” law that applies to churches in Franklin County.”

This amendment affects Franklin County ONLY.


At A Glance

  • If you vote “yes” you are voting to amend the Alabama Constitution to add a law allowing those in Franklin County to be able to stand their ground and defend (including use of deadly force) themselves and others in churches.
  • If you vote “no” you are voting to not amend the Alabama Constitution and you are voting to oppose adding a law allowing Franklin County being able to stand their ground and defend (including use of deadly force) themselves and others in churches. 

Amendment 6


Amendment 6 on your ballot deals with firearms and ”Stand Your Ground” laws.The following is the Madison County Sample Ballot summary for this amendment [A1]:

“Alabama’s “Stand Your Ground” law allows a person to legally use physical force against another person under certain conditions. The law does not require the person to retreat before using physical force.

If a majority of voters in Alabama vote “yes” on Amendment 6, and if, in addition, a majority of voters in Lauderdale County vote “yes” on Amendment 6, the state constitution would contain a special “Stand Your Ground” law that applies to churches in Lauderdale County only. 

If a majority of voters in Alabama vote “no” on Amendment 6, or, if a majority of voters in Lauderdale County vote “no” on Amendment 6, the state constitution would not contain a special “Stand Your Ground” law that applies to churches in Lauderdale County.”

This amendment affects Lauderdale County ONLY.


At A Glance

  • If you vote “yes” you are voting to amend the Alabama Constitution to add a law allowing those in Lauderdale County to be able to stand their ground and defend (including use of deadly force) themselves and others in churches.
  • If you vote “no” you are voting to not amend the Alabama Constitution and you are voting to oppose adding a law allowing Lauderdale County being able to stand their ground and defend (including use of deadly force) themselves and others in churches.