So the year 2026 has finally arrived and for Alabama it means a busy election year ahead.
So this is one of the most important weeks for the upcoming election cycle here in Alabama. This is the last week that those who seek to run for office this year in either the Republican and Democrat Party can officially register to run. For those candidates that do throw their names in the ring, they are either waiting to see who may also join them in the race or sizing up their opponents.
For Alabama, there is a short lead up to both the Republican and Democratic Party Primaries that are set on May 19th, and if there are any run-offs they are set for June 16th. Most of the major statewide and federal offices have had their fields set since last May when candidates could start raising money to fuel their campaigns.
All of the state constitutional officers and state lawmakers will be on the ballot. In addition, all of the federal congressional seats and one United States senate seats up, Add to that, local elections across the state will include county offices and judges as well. Finally, there will be several constitutional amendments on the ballot including strengthening Aniyah’s Law, to allow judges more discretion to keep those of accused of violent crimes behind bars.
But every election cycle there is always a surprise close to or on qualification day. So as time ticks closer to the deadline this Friday, January 23rd at 5:00 p.m. we will see if there are any last minute candidates who shake up any of the races in the 2026 election cycle.
So as we kick-off the new year, get ready for the campaign season in Alabama.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X at @Paul_DeMarco.Â
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...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 7 above expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee,
Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion,
Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega,
Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight tonight
to 10 AM CST Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9
PM Monday to 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 7 above expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee,
Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion,
Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega,
Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight tonight
to 10 AM CST Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9
PM Monday to 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Currently in Selma
37°
Cloudy
63° / 36°
7 PM
36°
8 PM
34°
9 PM
32°
10 PM
32°
11 PM
30°
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.