Governor Bentley Calls Special Election for House District 11

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced the timeline for a special election to fill the vacant District 11 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives.

The District 11 seat was previously held by Representative Jeremy Oden, who Governor Bentley appointed to serve on the Alabama Public Service Commission.

District 11 covers portions of Cullman, Blount and Morgan Counties.  According to the election timeline finalized Tuesday:

• A Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.  Or, in the event that a Special Primary Election is not necessary, because the major parties have only one candidate, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.

• If necessary because of one candidate not receiving a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, a Special Primary Runoff Election will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013.

• If a Special Primary Runoff Election is not necessary because one candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013.

• If a Special Primary Runoff Election is required, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

“This election timeline was designed to have a representative in place for District 11 as soon as possible,” Governor Bentley said.  “The timeline gives candidates time to qualify, it allows voters time to learn about candidates, and it allows time for those who are unable to vote in-person to arrange to vote by absentee ballot.”

Candidates qualifying with major political parties must do so by Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.  The two major political parties are to certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State as soon as possible after the qualification deadline but by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012.

All third-party candidates, independent candidates, and/or minor party candidates seeking ballot access are advised that their deadline for filing the appropriate notification, petitions, or supporting paperwork with the Secretary of State is Friday, December 21, at 5:00 p.m.