2026 Jefferson County, Alabama Commission election
November 3, 2026
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All 5 seats up for election | |||||||||||||
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Incumbents: Democratic incumbent Republican incumbent | |||||||||||||
| Elections in Alabama |
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| Government |
The 2026 Jefferson County Commission election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect all five members of the Jefferson County Commission. Primary elections will take place on May 19.
Background
McClure et al. v. Jefferson County Commission
In 2023, a lawsuit was filed against the commission alleging racial gerrymandering.[1][2] The case went to trial on January 13, 2025.[3][4] On September 16, 2025, Madeline Haikala, a district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, ruled that the map violated the Fourteenth Amendment, ordering a new one to be drawn with an additional Black-majority district.[5] Haikala denied an appeal by the county on September 25.[6] The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit paused Haikala's ruling, meaning that the maps will stay in place for the 2026 election.[7]
District 1
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Lashunda Scales, incumbent commissioner
District 2
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Sheila Tyson, incumbent commissioner
District 3
Republican primary
Declared
- Jimmie Stephens, incumbent commissioner[8]
District 4
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Joe Knight, incumbent commissioner
District 5
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Mike Bolin, incumbent commissioner and former Supreme Court of Alabama associate justice[9]
References
- ^ Darrington, Patrick (10 April 2023). "Black voters, organizations sue Jefferson County for racial gerrymandering". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Case: McClure, et al. v. Jefferson County Commission". Legal Defense Fund. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Phillips, Chance (23 December 2024). "Trial date set for Jefferson County racial gerrymandering case". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Crenshaw Jr., Solomon (13 January 2025). "Judge Considering Testimony in Trial Over Jefferson County Commission Districts". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Everett, Grayson (September 17, 2025). "Obama-appointed judge orders Jefferson County to add additional black-majority district". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Bryant, Joseph D. (September 27, 2025). "Delay denied: Federal judge rules this Alabama county must act now to redraw district lines". AL.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ Everett, Grayson (October 16, 2025). "U.S. Court of Appeals halts Jefferson County race-based redistricting, current map stays in place". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ Crenshaw Jr., Solomon (29 January 2025). "Stephens Seeking Another Term on the Jefferson County Commission". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Everett, Grayson (September 10, 2025). "Mike Bolin announces for re-election to Jefferson County Commission seat". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 11 September 2025.