CULLMAN, Ala. – Alabama voters will head to the polls Tuesday, May 19, for the 2026 Primary Election, with statewide, congressional, judicial, local and constitutional amendment races appearing on ballots across the state.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen is reminding voters to prepare before Election Day by checking their voter registration status, confirming their polling location and reviewing sample ballots at AlabamaVotes.gov.
View Cullman County sample ballots at:
Republican: www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/sample-ballots/2026/pri/Cullman – Rep.pdf
Democrat: www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/sample-ballots/2026/pri/Cullman – Dem.pdf
“Before heading to the polls on May 19, I encourage Alabama voters to visit AlabamaVotes.gov, where they can check the status of their voter registration, verify their polling location, and view their county’s sample ballots,” Allen said. “I want all Alabama voters to be fully prepared as they plan to exercise their constitutional right to vote on May 19.”
Voters are required to present a valid form of photo identification before voting at their polling place or by absentee ballot.
According to the Alabama Secretary of State’s 2026 voter guide, Alabama does not have party registration, meaning voters do not register by party. In a primary election, voters must choose which party’s ballot they want when checking in with a poll worker or when requesting an absentee ballot.
Voters who do not wish to participate in a party primary may still vote on any constitutional amendments appearing on the ballot.
For Cullman County voters, local races on the Republican ballot include Cullman County sheriff, Cullman County revenue commissioner, Cullman County Commission District 1, Cullman County Commission District 2, Cullman County Board of Education Hanceville District 4 and certain Cullman County Republican Executive Committee races.
Some races are district-based, meaning not every race will appear on every voter’s ballot. Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before going to the polls.
Cullman County voters will also see statewide races, including governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, commissioner of agriculture and industries, Alabama Public Service Commission and Alabama State Board of Education District 6.
Cullman County is in Alabama’s 4th Congressional District. The Republican ballot lists Robert B. Aderholt and Tommy Barnes in that race. The Democratic ballot lists Amanda N. Pusczek and Shane Weaver.
Two statewide constitutional amendments will also appear on ballots. Statewide Amendment 1 deals with whether judges may deny bail under certain circumstances for additional offenses. Statewide Amendment 2 deals with whether compensation for a district attorney may be reduced during that district attorney’s term of office.
Allen also addressed voter confusion following recent developments in Alabama’s congressional redistricting case and a special primary election called for Aug. 11.
“Here is what I want every Alabama voter to remember: Go vote on May 19. Votes for statewide constitutional offices, local races, state legislative and judicial races, as well as statewide constitutional amendments will count on May 19. If you live in Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 or 7, your vote for those races on Aug.11 will decide those races,” Allen said.
The special election WILL NOT include District 4, which includes Cullman County.
The 2026 Primary Runoff Election, if needed, will be held Tuesday, June 16.
Under Alabama’s crossover voting law, a voter who votes in one party’s primary may vote only in that same party’s runoff. A voter who does not vote in the May 19 primary may choose either party’s runoff ballot if a runoff is held.
Cullman County Probate Judge Tammy Brown has previously urged voters to prepare ahead of election day when district-based races or polling place questions may cause confusion.
“These special elections are district-based, not countywide,” Brown told The Tribune in 2025 during a separate election cycle. “Voters need to make sure they know which district they live in.”
Brown said at the time that voters can verify district and registration information through the Cullman County Board of Registrars or online, and she encouraged voters to review sample ballots before election day.
Voters who make a mistake on their ballot should not erase it. According to the Secretary of State’s voter guide, voters may ask a poll worker for another ballot before placing the ballot in the tabulator. The spoiled ballot will be placed in a secure area so it cannot be counted or reused.
Election results will be posted on a door or other visible location at each polling place. Cumulative results will be posted on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website at www.AlabamaVotes.gov. The Tribune will be sharing updates on Cullman County results at www.Facebook.com/CullmanTribune.
Allen also thanked local election officials ahead of Tuesday’s primary.
“As secretary of state and a former probate judge, I will always support Alabama’s dedicated local election officials. Our probate judges, circuit clerks, sheriffs, boards of registrars and poll workers do the hard work to ensure Alabama elections are conducted in a secure, transparent and accountable way,” Allen said.
Voters can verify their polling location, registration status and sample ballot at www.AlabamaVotes.gov. Cullman County voters with local registration questions may contact the Cullman County Board of Registrars at Cullman@vote.alabama.gov, 256-775-4697 or 256-775-4698. The Board of Registrars is located at 500 Second Ave. SW, Suite 112, Cullman, Alabama 35055.
View The Cullman Tribune’s guide to the May 19 Primary Election at www.cullmantribune.com/2026/05/16/guide-to-may-19-primary-election.
