Editor’s note: As of 9:15 p.m. Central time Nov. 3, statewide election results remained unofficial and subject to certification. This report reflects Cullman County votes only and does not declare statewide winners.
CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County voters strongly favored a local property-tax amendment for qualifying senior homeowners in preliminary midterm election returns Tuesday, Nov. 3, while Republican candidates led every candidate race in the county’s available results.
With 50 of 51 voting boxes reporting, the local amendment received 23,344 yes votes, or 92.50%, and 1,893 no votes, or 7.50%.
The measure would freeze the assessed value of a qualifying homeowner’s primary residence. Applicants must be at least 65 and have used the qualifying single-family property as their principal residence for at least five years immediately before the first tax year claimed.
Changes in tax rates and later additions to the property could still increase the tax bill.
The proposal allows claims beginning Oct. 1, 2027, based on the property’s Oct. 1, 2026, value.
The county’s preliminary count included 27,356 ballots. Countywide tabulations showed 50 of 51 boxes reporting, while legislative and school board contests covering smaller portions of the county had their own reporting totals. All figures remained unofficial.
In the sheriff’s race, Republican Chad Whaley received 23,516 votes, or 98.62%, with 328 write-in votes. Whaley was the only printed candidate for sheriff.
The other county office races also had one printed Republican candidate each. Jeremy L. Kilpatrick received 23,520 votes, or 99.06%, for coroner, with 224 write-ins. Mike Pitts received 23,456 votes, or 99.17%, for revenue commissioner, with 197 write-ins.
For associate county commissioner, Kenneth Walker received 23,368 votes, or 99.10%, in District 1, with 213 write-ins. Richard Barnett received 23,321 votes, or 99.13%, in District 2, with 204 write-ins. Both contests showed 50 of 51 boxes reporting.
Four Cullman County Board of Education races had smaller reporting totals because those seats are elected by district. Each had one printed Republican candidate.
In Fairview’s District 2, Jeff Lawson received 2,664 votes, or 98.96%, with 28 write-ins and eight of nine boxes reporting. In Hanceville’s District 4, Kenny Brockman received 2,978 votes, or 99.10%, with 27 write-ins and 11 of 12 boxes reporting.
In Vinemont’s District 6, Michael E. Graves received 1,946 votes, or 98.98%, with 20 write-ins and four of five boxes reporting. In Good Hope’s District 7, Kerry Neighbors received 2,730 votes, or 99.31%, with 19 write-ins and seven of eight boxes reporting.
Republicans were also the only printed candidates in the county’s state legislative contests. Garlan Gudger received 23,285 votes, or 97.99%, in the Cullman County returns for Senate District 4, with 477 write-ins and 50 of 51 boxes reporting.
For House District 11, Heath Allbright received 9,196 votes, or 98.85%, with 107 write-ins and 21 of 22 boxes reporting.
Cindy Myrex received 12,276 votes, or 98.17%, in House District 12, with 229 write-ins and 28 of 29 boxes reporting.
Tim R. Wadsworth received 1,901 votes, or 99.53%, in the county’s House District 14 returns, with nine write-ins and five of six boxes reporting.
In the governor’s race, Republican Tommy Tuberville received 21,992 Cullman County votes, or 80.91%, compared with Democrat Doug Jones’ 5,037 votes, or 18.53%. Write-ins accounted for 151 votes.
Republican John Wahl received 22,694 votes, or 83.80%, for lieutenant governor. Democrat Phillip Ensler received 4,356 votes, or 16.09%, with another 31 votes cast for write-ins.
For U.S. Senate, Republican Barry Moore received 22,795 votes, or 84.14%, compared with Democrat Everett Wess’ 4,262 votes, or 15.73%. There were 35 write-in votes.
In the 4th Congressional District race, Republican Robert B. Aderholt received 23,002 votes, or 84.83%, in Cullman County. Democrat Amanda N. Pusczek received 4,085 votes, or 15.06%, with 29 write-ins.
Republican Matt Gentry received 22,956 votes, or 84.87%, in the county’s returns for Public Service Commission Place 1. Democrat James O. Gordon received 4,008 votes, or 14.82%, with 83 write-ins.
For Public Service Commission Place 2, Republican Jim Zig Zeigler received 22,545 votes, or 83.92%, compared with Democrat Sheila D. McNeil’s 4,301 votes, or 16.01%. There were 18 write-in votes.
Republican Katherine Robertson received 22,729 votes, or 84.13%, for attorney general. Democrat Jeff McLaughlin received 4,258 votes, or 15.76%, with 31 write-ins.
In the secretary of state’s race, Republican Caroleene Dobson received 22,574 votes, or 83.92%, compared with Democrat Wayne Rogers’ 4,304 votes, or 16.00%. Write-ins totaled 23.
Republican Young Boozer received 22,654 votes, or 84.25%, for state treasurer. Democrat Rosilyn Houston received 4,216 votes, or 15.68%, with 18 write-ins.
For state auditor, Republican Andrew Sorrell received 22,678 votes, or 84.42%, compared with Democrat Violet Edwards’ 4,174 votes, or 15.54%. There were 12 write-in votes.
Republican Corey Hill received 22,555 votes, or 83.67%, for commissioner of agriculture and industries. Democrat Ron Sparks received 4,386 votes, or 16.27%, with 15 write-ins.
In the State Board of Education District 6 race, Republican Cathi Bradford received 22,587 votes, or 84.20%, in Cullman County. Democrat Angela Morgan received 4,214 votes, or 15.71%, with 25 write-ins.
Republican Greg Shaw received 22,597 votes, or 84.11%, for Alabama Supreme Court associate justice, Place 8. Democrat Ashleigh Meyer Dunham received 4,252 votes, or 15.83%, with 18 write-ins.
In the Supreme Court Place 7 race, Republican Brad Mendheim received 23,231 votes, or 99.01%, with 233 write-ins.
For the Court of Civil Appeals, Republican Benjamin M. Bowden received 23,265 votes, or 99.05%, for Place 4, with 222 write-ins. Republican Matt Fridy received 23,160 votes, or 99.08%, for Place 5, with 215 write-ins.
For the Court of Criminal Appeals, Republican Mary Windom received 23,156 votes, or 99.16%, for Place 4, with 195 write-ins. Republican Riggs Walker received 23,150 votes, or 99.19%, for Place 5, with 190 write-ins.
The straight-party tally showed 17,078 Republican selections and 2,457 Democratic selections. Republicans accounted for 87.42% of valid straight-party selections and Democrats 12.58%. Those percentages describe straight-party voting, not the share of all ballots cast.
In addition to the local amendment, Cullman County voters favored all four statewide constitutional amendments, each with 50 of 51 boxes reporting. The statewide amendments’ outcomes cannot be determined from the county totals alone.
Statewide Amendment 1 received 15,883 yes votes, or 65.00%, and 8,552 no votes, or 35.00%. The proposal concerns elections to fill lieutenant governor vacancies, legislative authority to set compensation for that office and legislative officers and approval of legislative travel spending.
Statewide Amendment 2 received 13,080 yes votes, or 54.34%, and 10,989 no votes, or 45.66%. It would establish a process for neighboring county school systems to merge, including an impact study and a voter protest procedure. Approval would not itself merge any school systems.
Statewide Amendment 3 received 20,959 yes votes, or 82.05%, and 4,586 no votes, or 17.95%. It would require school board policies providing for a daily Pledge of Allegiance and allowing student-initiated, student-led prayer. Student participation would remain voluntary.
Statewide Amendment 4 received 20,252 yes votes, or 79.63%, and 5,180 no votes, or 20.37%. It 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.
