By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News
Across the state, there are 16 contests for Alabama Senate and 46 for Alabama House on today’s ballot with a mix of races between Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians, including some three-person contests.
Many of the races include incumbents, but after a slew of legislative retirements, bids for higher office and a few deaths, 22 of the 105 House seats are open this election cycle. In the 35-seat Senate, five are open.
Meanwhile, eight House incumbents lost to primary challengers earlier this year. One Senator did as well. That means even if all incumbents win today, 25% of the Legislature next year will be freshman lawmakers.
Republicans will maintain significant majorities in both chambers, but there are a few seats that could flip from red to blue. That includes the recently redrawn House District 74, where incumbent Rep. Charlotte Meadows, R-Montgomery, is challenged by Democrat Phillip Ensler. The district is now considered to be more Democrat friendly.
In Madison County’s open House District 10, Republican David Cole and Democrat Marilyn Lands have each spent more than $180,000 on the race, according to their latest campaign finance reports.
In Senate District 2, also in Madison County, incumbent Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, has spent more than $800,000 this cycle defending his seat, first from a GOP primary challenger and now from Democrat Kimberly Lewis.
At the top of today’s ticket are selections for governor — Republican Gov. Kay Ivey faces Democrat Yolanda Flowers and Libertarian James Blake — and U.S. Senate — Republican Katie Britt, Democrat Will Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus.
Sample ballots can be found here.
Secretary of State John Merrill has said he expects turnout today to be about 45% to 50% of registered voters.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Competitive races for the Alabama Legislature:
Senate