CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County voters will choose representatives in Washington and Montgomery, fill county offices and decide five constitutional questions in the Nov. 3 general election.
The county’s official sample ballot includes races for governor, Congress, state administrative offices and appellate courts, along with legislative, county commission and education positions. Four statewide amendments and one Cullman County amendment appear after the candidate races.
The sample is a composite showing different district ballots. A voter’s residence determines which district races appear on the ballot issued at the polls. Each candidate contest also provides a write-in option, including races with only one printed candidate.
At the federal level, Democrat Everett Wess and Republican Barry Moore are competing for U.S. Senate. Democrat Amanda N. Pusczek and Republican Robert B. Aderholt are seeking the 4th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senators represent the entire state and serve six-year terms, while House members represent congressional districts and serve two-year terms. Both chambers consider federal legislation and spending.
For governor, the candidates are Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Tommy Tuberville. The governor heads Alabama’s executive branch and acts on legislation passed by state lawmakers. Democrat Phillip Ensler and Republican John Wahl are running for lieutenant governor, whose constitutional responsibilities include presiding over the state Senate and succeeding the governor when a vacancy requires it.
Democrat Jeff McLaughlin and Republican Katherine Robertson are seeking the attorney general’s office. The attorney general represents Alabama in legal proceedings, provides legal opinions to authorized public officials and has responsibilities involving civil enforcement and criminal prosecutions.
Several other statewide races involve the administration of public records, money and regulatory programs. Democrat Wayne Rogers and Republican Caroleene Dobson are running for secretary of state, Alabama’s chief election official. The office also maintains business filings and government records.
For state treasurer, the candidates are Democrat Rosilyn Houston and Republican Young Boozer. The treasurer receives and accounts for state money and handles authorized payments. Democrat Violet Edwards and Republican Andrew Sorrell are competing for state auditor, an office responsible for tracking and auditing state-owned personal property and equipment.
Democrat Ron Sparks and Republican Corey Hill are seeking the office of commissioner of agriculture and industries. The department’s responsibilities include agricultural programs, food safety inspections and oversight of commercial weights and measures.
Two seats on the Alabama Public Service Commission are on the ballot. Democrat James O. Gordon and Republican Matt Gentry are running for Place 1, while Democrat Sheila D. McNeil and Republican Jim Zig Zeigler are running for Place 2. The commission regulates utility services within its jurisdiction; its authority varies by utility and service.
The legislative races determine who represents residents in the Alabama Legislature, which considers state laws and appropriations. Republican Garlan Gudger is the only printed candidate for Senate District 4. The county’s House districts list Republican Heath Allbright in District 11, Republican Cindy Myrex in District 12 and Republican Tim R. Wadsworth in District 14. Each is the only printed candidate in that district’s contest.
Voters will also select judges for Alabama’s appellate courts, which review decisions from lower courts. Republican Brad Mendheim is the only printed candidate for Supreme Court associate justice, Place 7. For Place 8, the candidates are Democrat Ashleigh Meyer Dunham and Republican Greg Shaw.
The Court of Civil Appeals handles matters including domestic relations and workers’ compensation appeals. Republican Benjamin M. Bowden is the only printed candidate for Place 4, and Republican Matt Fridy is the only printed candidate for Place 5. On the Court of Criminal Appeals, which reviews criminal cases, Republican Mary Windom is the only printed candidate for Place 4, and Republican Riggs Walker is the only printed candidate for Place 5.
Education appears at both the state and county levels. Democrat Angela Morgan and Republican Cathi Bradford are competing for State Board of Education District 6. The state board sets policy and exercises general supervision over Alabama’s public K-12 schools.
The Cullman County Board of Education races list Republican Jeff Lawson for Fairview/District 2, Republican Kenny Brockman for Hanceville/District 4, Republican Michael E. Graves for Vinemont/District 6 and Republican Kerry Neighbors for Good Hope/District 7. Each is the only printed candidate for that seat. The county board governs the county school system, with responsibilities including school policies and its budget.
Other county contests have one printed Republican candidate each: Jeremy L. Kilpatrick for coroner, Kenneth Walker for associate county commissioner District 1, Richard Barnett for associate county commissioner District 2, Mike Pitts for revenue commissioner and Chad Whaley for sheriff.
Those offices handle different parts of county government. The coroner investigates deaths within the office’s jurisdiction. County commissioners oversee county budgets, services and road responsibilities. The revenue commissioner administers property assessment and collection of property taxes, while the sheriff oversees law enforcement and jail operations.
Amendment recap
The ballot’s final questions concern changes to Alabama’s Constitution. Each amendment is a separate yes-or-no decision. A yes vote approves the proposed change, while a no vote rejects it.
Statewide Amendment 1, proposed by Act 2026-341, would change how a lieutenant governor vacancy is filled. The full proposal calls for an election to fill the remainder of the term when a vacancy occurs more than 60 days before the next general election at which state officers are elected. It would also let the Legislature set the pay of the lieutenant governor and legislative officers by joint resolution and require a legislative officer’s approval for legislative travel spending. It sets no specific salary increase.
Statewide Amendment 2, proposed by Act 2026-378, would establish a process for neighboring county school systems to merge. It requires a published impact study and provides a protest process. The Alabama Fair Ballot Commission explains that written protests from at least 25% of qualified voters in an affected system would trigger a referendum, with approval required in each affected county and across the combined territory. Approval of the amendment would not itself merge any schools.
Statewide Amendment 3, proposed by Act 2026-379, would require local school boards to adopt policies for a daily Pledge of Allegiance and student-initiated, student-led prayer. Participation would be voluntary, and students could opt out of either based on their beliefs. The amendment concerns constitutional policy requirements; Alabama already has a law requiring schools to conduct the daily Pledge while protecting students who decline to recite it.
Statewide Amendment 4, proposed by Act 2026-424, would require public K-12 schools to broadcast or provide an approved performance of the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at least once a week during school hours. It does not require every student to sing.
Cullman County’s local amendment, proposed by Act 2026-141, would freeze the assessed value of a qualifying homeowner’s primary residence. Applicants must be at least 65, own qualifying single-family residential property and have used it as their principal residence for at least five years immediately before the first tax year claimed. The proposal includes no income limit. Tax-rate changes and later additions could still raise a tax bill. Claims could begin Oct. 1, 2027, using the property’s Oct. 1, 2026, value, with written applications submitted to the revenue commissioner between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.
Voters can review the full sample ballot at www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/sample-ballots/2026/gen/Cullman-Sample.pdf. Reviewing both sides before Election Day can help voters identify their district races and consider each amendment separately.
