Covington County readies for 2024 primary election

Published 9:15 am Saturday, March 2, 2024

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Several local offices and the presidential race highlight the upcoming primary election in Covington County on Tuesday, March 5, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Probate Judge Stacy Brooks serves as the chief election official in Covington County.

“Before every election, my office proofs ballots and makes sure they are printed correctly. We compile information from the Board of Registrars’ office and send those in to collect data for our poll pads. Those poll pads are distributed to each precinct, and poll workers pick up election supplies. Poll workers must be trained under state law, and we recently held two poll worker school sessions under the direction of Kevin Kennedy for about two hours at City Hall. Citizens are welcome to visit the courthouse as returns arrive with results displayed on the screen in the lobby,” Brooks said.

There are 25 precincts in Covington County along with absentee and provisional ballots. Voting precincts in Red Level and Babbie have changed since the last election.

“In Red Level, we have moved it from the volunteer fire department to the community center, which is within walking distance. There was a steep hill that voters had to go up in order to vote. The community center is on level ground with a parking lot adjacent to it, so I feel like that will be more convenient for voters. In Babbie, it was moved from the volunteer fire department to Babbie City Hall. By moving it to a renovated city hall, it will be more beneficial to voters who were blocking the fire trucks at the fire department. We will have conspicuous signs at both precincts that will direct voters to the correct location if they arrive at the incorrect one,” she said.

Local races include all five county commission seats and a county board of education place 2 seat.

Republican Ballot

  • President: Ryan L. Brinkley, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, David Stuckenberg, Donald J. Trump
  • U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District: Jerry Carl, Barry Moore
  • Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Sarah Stewart, Bryan Taylor
  • Court of Civil Appeals Judge, Place 2: Chad Hanson, Stephen Davis Parker
  • Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 2: Rich Anderson, Thomas Govan
  • President, Public Service Commission: Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, Robert L. McCollum
  • Chairman, Covington County Commission: Michael Smith, Greg White
  • Covington County Commission, District 1: Ben Cooper, Ben Courson
  • Covington County Commission, District 2: Steven King, Matthew McClellan, Robbie Weaver
  • Covington County Commission, District 3: Jimmy Grissett, Lynne W. Holmes, Larry R. Stallings

In addition, voters residing outside the city limits of Andalusia and Opp will vote for Covington County Board of Education, Place 2. Those running in Place 2 are Jed Blackwell, James L. (Jimmy) Rodgers, and Ron Yates.

Democrat Ballot

  • President: Joseph R. Biden Jr., Dean Phillips
  • Delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, 1st Congressional District: Jason Fisher, Joseph L. Johnson, Mary Parker (Vote for no more than three)

All voters, regardless of party, will vote “Yes” or “No” on proposed statewide amendment 1, which states, “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to amend Section 71.01 authorizing the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or constitutional amendments before the transmission of basic appropriations (Proposed by Act 2023-562).”

All Covington County voters will cast their votes for each county commission seat. Voters who reside in the city limits of Andalusia and Opp will not vote for the county board of election, Place 2.

“Select voters who reside outside of the city limits and vote at the Kiwanis Center precinct will receive a ballot with the board of education race. Those who vote at the Kiwanis Center and reside inside the city limits will receive a ballot without the board of education race. Ballots will be designated with bright colors, and my poll workers will assist with those who are unsure. If you are in doubt or get a ballot that has a race you don’t think you should vote in, ask the poll worker. We want everyone to vote in all the races they are legally entitled to vote in,” Brooks said.

All voters will need to bring a valid ID when casting ballots. Under Alabama law, voters must vote in the precinct where they live. Voters casting a provisional ballot at the incorrect precinct will not count.