Governor Bentley Calls Special Election for House District 97

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced the timeline for a special election for the District 97 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives.

The seat was formerly held by Rep. Yvonne Kennedy, who passed away on December 8 following a brief illness.  District 97 covers portions of Mobile County.

According to the special election timeline finalized Tuesday:

• A Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 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 26, 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, April 9, 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, April 9, 2013.

• If a Special Primary Runoff Election is required, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

Candidates qualifying with major political parties must do so by Monday, January 7, 2013, at 5:00 p.m.  The two major political parties are to certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

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 Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 5:00 p.m., unless a special primary election will be necessary on February 26, 2013, in which case the qualification materials for third-party candidates, independent candidates, and/or minor party candidates shall be filed by 5:00 p.m. on February 26, 2013.