Today Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen released the following statement concerning Alabama’s May 19 Primary Election:
Press Statement
Today, I want to make sure Alabama voters understand exactly what’s happening with our elections. I will not recap what has brought us to this point. The purpose of this press event is to provide clear, timely information based on what we know now about the May 19 Primary Election and August 11 Special Primary Election.
Most importantly, Primary Election Day on May 19 is still happening, and it is very important. The May 19 Primary Election will go forward as planned, and I want Alabama voters to be prepared to vote Tuesday, May 19th.
A federal court had previously required Alabama to use a court-mandated congressional map. As of yesterday, May 11, the Supreme Court of the United States lifted that requirement. That means Alabama will now move forward using its own 2023 legislatively enacted congressional map.
The May 19 primary includes many important races, including numerous statewide constitutional offices, local races, state legislative, and judicial races, as well as statewide constitutional amendments. All of these will proceed as normal, and results will be tabulated, canvassed, and certified.
Certain congressional races will be handled differently in accordance with the Governor’s Proclamation. Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 are affected. Votes cast in those congressional races on May 19 will be tabulated and made public.
However, per Act 2026-612, votes for those races will be void for purposes of determining the party nominee.
Per Governor Ivey’s Proclamation, there will be a special primary election on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, for Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 only. There will be no runoff for the August 11 Special Primary. The candidate who receives the greatest number of votes will be the party nominee of that primary election.
Qualifying for Congressional District 1, 2, 6, and 7 with the political parties will begin May 20. The qualification deadline with the parties is Friday, May 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The parties will certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State by noon on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Petitions for independent candidates and minor parties for the Special Primary Election are due by 5:00 p.m. on August 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 August 11 will decide those races.
I have complete confidence in Alabama’s election officials as we carry out both the regular 2026 election cycle and this special primary election. I appreciate the hard work already done by local election officials, absentee election managers, and my team at the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office.
As more information becomes available, I will share it as quickly as possible with Alabama voters.
Again, May 19 remains the 2026 Primary Election Day. Be sure to vote that day.
