2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide: Finally, Voters Are Streaming Into Polls for Election Day 2020

 ========= Old Image Removed =========1Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2020/11/IMG_20201103_073904-scaled.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:6:{s:5:"width";i:2560;s:6:"height";i:1920;s:4:"file";s:38:"2020/11/IMG_20201103_073904-scaled.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:19:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-336x252.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:252;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-771x578.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:578;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-768x576.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:576;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:33:"IMG_20201103_073904-1536x1152.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:1152;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"2048x2048";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:33:"IMG_20201103_073904-2048x1536.jpg";s:5:"width";i:2048;s:6:"height";i:1536;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"IMG_20201103_073904-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-800x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-415x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:415;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-353x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:353;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"gb-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"gb-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:27:"web-stories-poster-portrait";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-640x853.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:853;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"web-stories-poster-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-853x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:853;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"web-stories-poster-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-640x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:26:"web-stories-publisher-logo";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"IMG_20201103_073904-96x96.jpg";s:5:"width";i:96;s:6:"height";i:96;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:21:"web-stories-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"IMG_20201103_073904-150x113.jpg";s:5:"width";i:150;s:6:"height";i:113;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}s:14:"original_image";s:23:"IMG_20201103_073904.jpg";}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Mary Scott Hodgin
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => WBHM
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_wp_attachment_image_alt] => Array
        (
            [0] => Voting Alabama
        )

)
1657434962 
1604415627
Voting Alabama

Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

Alabama to Deliver Election Results by Wednesday in Face of Record Voter Turnout

Voters are streaming into polling places today to vote in what could be a record-breaking election.

More than 200 voters were lined up to vote at the polling place at Prince of Peace Catholic Church as it opened at 7 a.m. Those voters streamed across the parking lot and then alongside it, walking along the tree line to get to the site.

Polls close at 7 p.m.

Despite projections for a record-level voter turnout, state and local officials say they will finish counting the votes by Wednesday morning.

Voter turnout is predicted to hit 68% to 75%, corresponding to 2.5 million to 2.8 million people voting, according to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill. The state already has seen a record number of absentee ballots returned — 300,402, as of Monday morning.

The highest recorded voter turnout in Alabama came during the 2016 general election, when 67%, or 2.1 million people, hit the polls. The previous record for absentee ballots was roughly 89,000.

Merrill said the increased turnout may lead to longer lines Tuesday. But he said officials have taken steps to mitigate wait times and to ensure safe voting conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

What’s At Stake

At the top of the ticket is the Donald Trump-Joe Biden showdown for the White House. That race has drawn the most interest nationwide. But there’s another race that has drawn much attention in Alabama, as former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, a Republican, tries to unseat Doug Jones, who three years ago was the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in 25 years.

Also up for grabs are races for the Alabama Public Service Commission presidency and a seat on the state Board of Education. In Jefferson County, contested races also include a district court judgeship, deputy treasurer, tax assessor, assistant tax assessor and assistant tax collector.

Voters also have six amendments to decide – seven in Shelby County.

The 2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide gives you information to navigate through the voting process. You’ll find profiles of the candidates, including biographical information, the main issues they’re citing in their campaigns, their top contributors and links to their web or social media sites. Also in the guide is a rundown of the amendments with an analysis of each by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, sample ballots you can print, mark as you want and take to the polling place as a reminder if you want; and information about voting and going to the polls.

BirminghamWatch 2020 Voter Guide

Printable Sample Ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties

List of Candidates with Profiles

Your Guide to Alabama’s 2020 Constitutional Amendments

Voters’ FAQs

Check your registration status, find your polling place and check the status of your absentee ballot

Jones Runs Aggressive Campaign to Maintain Senate Seat for the Democrats

With a Commanding Lead in Polls, Tuberville Shuns Media and Jones While Embracing Trump

Contributions in the Senate Race

Poll Watchers Have Strict Rules to Follow, and So Do Others at the Polls

 

Trump sets 50% tariff rate for Brazil, blasting treatment of former far-right president

President Trump defended former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting an attempted coup following his loss in the 2022 election.

Former White House doctor declines to testify in GOP probe of Biden’s mental acuity

Kevin O'Connor cited doctor-patient confidentiality and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in deciding not to answer questions from Republicans on the House Oversight Committee.

Celine Song had too much fun as a matchmaker

Filmmaker Celine Song isn't religious, but that doesn't stop her from seeing certain dead insects as signs in her life and treating a good meal like prayer.

Diocese of San Bernardino issues dispensation saying Catholics who fear ICE don’t have to attend Mass

The diocese is the first in the U.S. to issue a special dispensation because of fears over immigration detentions.

Supreme Court blocks part of Florida’s immigration law

Immigrant rights organizations sued the state arguing that its new law conflicts with federal immigration law, and under longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states must bow to federal law in the event of such conflicts.

Clinging to a tree, and praying: how a family survived the Texas flash floods

"I thought my mom was going to die in front of me," said Taylor Bergmann, a 19-year-old who fought to save the people in his family after the Guadalupe River smashed through their home.

More BirminghamWatch Coverage