Voters will head to the polls June 1 to cast their ballots to choose their party’s nominees in an array of state and county races, with Madison County’s biggest race being one with national implications.
Incumbent Parker Griffith, a Democrat turned Republican, faces Morgan County Commissioner Mo Brooks and Madison businessman Les Phillip for the Fifth District Congressional seat. On the Democrat side, Taze Shepard, Steve Raby, David Maker and Mitchell Howie are seeking the spot.
Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Voters are required to show identification – driver’s license, employee identification, student ID, passport, gun license, birth certificate, among others – before casting their ballot.
Another race receiving a lot of local attention is Sue Helms’ bid to become a member of the State Board of Education. Helms, a Republican, is a member of the Madison School Board. She faces GOP challengers Ken Gawronski Jr. and Mary Scott Hunter. The winner will face the winner of the Democratic race between Ralph Burke and Mary Ruth Yates. They all hope to replace Huntsville’s Mary Jane Caylor, a Democrat, who opted not to seek releection.
Other countywide races on the ballot are:
• Incumbent Sheriff Blake Dorning faces Republican challenges James “Jeb” Bennett. The winner will face challenger Tim Clardy Sr. who has no Democratic primary opposition.
• Incumbent Bobby R. Berryhill, a Democrat, has no primary challengers. He will face Republican Craig Whisenant in November.
• Terry Davis faces no opposition in his bid to be elected Madison County School Superintendent. David Vess, a Republican, is also without opposition in the District Four School Board race. Republican Jeff Anderson will face Democrat Benjamin Bird in November.
In addition to the county offices, there are an array of statewide offices on the ballot as well.
Voters will also be choosing nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, seats on the State Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry, Public Service Commission and State Board of Education. There are also Congressional seats up for election.
Runoff elections will be held July 13, with voter registration deadline on July 2. The general election will be held Nov. 2, with an Oct. 22 voter registration deadline.