By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, July 27, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) announced the timeline for a Special Election to fill the vacant District 41 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. The District 41 vacancy was created when Gov. Bentley appointed Rep. Mike Hill (R-Columbiana) to be the Superintendent of the State Banking Department.
According to the special election timeline finalized Wednesday the Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016. If there is no need for a Special Primary Election because the two major parties each have only one candidate, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.
If there is a primary but no candidate gets over fifty percent of the votes cast, than a Special Primary Runoff Election shall be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. If there is no need for a Special Primary Runoff Election, then the Special General Election shall be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.
If there is a Special Primary Runoff Election, then the Special General Election shall be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
The last day for major party qualifying will be Monday, August 15, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. The two major political parties should certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State as soon as possible after the qualification deadline, but by no later than 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
All independent candidates and/or any minor party candidates wishing to get ballot access must file all of the appropriate notification, petitions, or supporting paperwork with the Secretary of State by Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 5:00 p.m.
The eventual winner will finish the remainder of Mike Hill’s term and will face re-election in 2018.
District 41 is in Shelby County.
