Election process, information
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Food for Thought
Judge of Probate Richard Dean
Tuesday, March 12, the Coosa County Democratic and Republican parties certified their 2024 primary elections. Christa and “The Coosa County News’” staff did an excellent job covering the March 5 primary results; therefore, I will not repeat that information in this column.
We are now preparing for the April 16 Primary Runoff Election that is 32 days away. This Primary Runoff Election, the Democratic Party will have no runoff in Coosa County because the Democratic candidates for office were decided March 5. Only the Republicans will have a runoff.
If you voted a Republican Primary ballot, you are eligible to vote in the April 16 runoff election. If you voted an Amendment Only ballot, you are eligible to vote in this runoff election. If you did not vote in the March 5 Primary, you are eligible to vote in this runoff election. However, if you cast a Democratic ballot on March 5, you are ineligible to vote in this runoff election.
Although only one office (Coosa County circuit clerk) is on the runoff ballot, if eligible we all need to vote. Jamey Johnson and Matthew Reams (alphabetically by last name) are the two candidates appearing on the April 16 ballot. We not only owe it to ourselves to vote as signs of respect for our right to vote, but also appreciation for these two candidates being willing to serve us. Candidates not only spend a great deal of time and money, but also sacrifice family time to compete for office.
These expenses and sacrifices do not end with the election if the candidate really cares for the county/community and truly wishes to serve the citizens who elected him/her. There are many meetings, functions and events that occur in the evenings and on weekends around the county and state that elected officials need, or are expected, to attend. Because elected officials have families and other obligations, as does everyone, they cannot attend everything but should try to regularly be out and about to hear from and see their constituents throughout the year.
With that said, I must admit there are some elected officials or candidates vying for office whom you will only see at a neighborhood watch, fire department fundraiser/meeting, local political party meeting, or other function when their name is appearing on the ballot. We all know this happens; possibly because of other obligations, medical issues, wanting a position instead of a job, lack of motivation to serve, or the job requirements are much more than was anticipated. Whatever the reason is between the candidate/official and the voters.
Now, back to the March 5 primary. After the election, it was brought to my attention some voters may not have been asked which type (Democratic, Republican, or Constitutional Amendment Only) ballot the voter preferred to cast. This should not have happened.
In future primary or primary runoff (if more than one party has a runoff) elections, I strongly encourage any voter who is not asked their ballot preference to immediately and personally contact my office and report the incident. That way we can quickly address and correct the process on election day.
If a voter wishes to cast a ballot for a particular candidate and does not see the candidate listed on his/her ballot, please DO NOT cast the ballot. The voter needs to contact the polling facility inspector to inquire and determine if the voter needs to select a different party’s ballot.
If the inspector cannot answer the voter’s question or resolve the issue, the inspector or voter should contact the Board of Registrars or the probate offices (polling facility volunteers have these phone numbers) before the ballot is cast.
On election day, Sheriff Howell and I go to every polling location, oftentimes more than once if notified there is an issue requiring attention. We normally travel about 250 miles each election day. In addition, Sheriff Howell has multiple deputies constantly patrolling and checking the polling locations to ensure everything is running smoothly.
We all (including probate staff, registrars and sheriff’s dispatch) are in communication either by phone or sheriff’s radio throughout the day. If there is an issue we cannot resolve by phone, it normally takes only a few minutes for one of us to get to the polling facility. We even address with polling officials concerns voters post on Facebook if we are notified of the post.
With that said, voters have a responsibility to be informed and take appropriate action before casting a ballot. Once a ballot is cast, there is no “undoing” it. “The Coosa County News” publishes many election-related articles and columns about voting process, candidates, offices, amendments, ballots, rules, etc. There are also legal notices I publish to inform the voters. The local Democratic and Republican parties also have meetings and work to inform the voters.
We can’t publish everything because there are volumes of laws, rules and regulations related to our voting process. There is even a time limit established for casting a vote and leaving the facility. It was three minutes, but in 1988, in Harriet v. Siegelman, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama held that five minutes was more appropriate. The point being: The polling facility is not a place to visit or discuss Uncle Joe’s aches and pains or talk turkey hunting. The polling facility is for conducting election business. If a voter has a problem or issue on election day, he/she should contact my office or the registrars immediately.
My goal is for Coosa County to have an honest and fair election process for every qualified elector and candidate. Coosa County’s Democratic Party, Republican Party, news media, and I constantly share information and concerns to inform our voters. However, as citizens we all must educate ourselves and work together to ensure the most honest and best election process, period.
Finally, a few voters asked about the “Pledge” statements on the primary ballots and why the statements were on some ballots but not others. The respective parties determine what is on their ballots.
The Democratic Party has the statement, “By casting this ballot, I do pledge myself to abide by the result of this primary election and to aid and support all the nominees thereof in the ensuing General Election.” Currently the Republicans do not have this language on their ballots.
Any voter having questions should call our office (256-377-4919, option 4) or send us an email (CoosaCountyProbate@Outlook.com). Voters may also ask the political party chairpersons. In Coosa County, the Democratic Party chairperson is Vanessa Owens; the Republican Party chairperson is Chuck Bradley. If you are eligible, I hope to see you exercising your right to vote on April 16!
