Municipal election qualifying began June 10 and will end this Tuesday, June 24. While some candidates around the state began raising and spending money last year when the cycle opened up in late August, others will wait until this Tuesday to declare their intentions.
Most Alabama municipalities follow the same election schedule, with a few exceptions. Huntsville and Scottsboro had their elections last year. Tuscaloosa held its elections on March 4, with its run-off on April 1.
According to their Procedures for Holding Elections in Mayor-Council Municipalities Special Report, "The clerk closes out receipt of statements of candidacy at 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in June preceding the election. This is the final day on which a candidate may qualify to run in the general municipal election in mayor-council cities and towns. Section 11-46-25(g), Code of Alabama 1975."
House Bill 156, which passed last year, amended the campaign finance report to help candidates in municipal elections where under $1,000 was raised or spent. The bill said, "A candidate running for a municipal office is exempt from the filing requirements of Sections 17-5-4 and 17-5-8, Code of Alabama 1975, unless and until the candidate receives contributions or makes expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000)." That bill allowed candidates in races that don't raise or spend that amount to be exempt from state filing requirements.
Candidates who have raised or spent over $1,000 were required to file reports with the Secretary of State's office. The Secretary of State's office provides a 2025 municipal candidate calendar that details filing deadlines for municipal candidates. The next report is due on July 2.
The election will be held on August 26, with a run-off for the races that require one on September 23. Newly elected municipal officials take office on the first Monday in November following the election.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning, or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
