Gov. Robert Bentley issued a formal proclamation over the weekend calling for a special election in Alabama’s First Congressional District.
In the proclamation, Bentley laid out an election timeline, which was approved by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson of the Middle District of Alabama.
- The special election primary will be held Tuesday, September 24, 2013.
- If a special election runoff is required, it will be scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2013.
- If a special election runoff is not required, then the special general election will take place on November 5, 2013.
- If a special election runoff does take place, the special general election will then be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013.
“My goal is to have a representative in place for the people of District 1 as soon as possible,” Gov. Bentley said in a statement. “This will allow the district to have representation when Congress convenes next January.”
The governor also said this election timeline will allow enough time for military and overseas voters to cast an absentee ballot.
Candidates wanting to qualify for this special election must do so by 5:00 PM today. The first candidate forum of the race will take place just an hour after qualifying closes. Yellowhammer and the Baldwin County Young Republicans are sponsoring the event.
The First District of Alabama covers Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties, and a portion of Clark county.
Jo Bonner officially vacated the seat on August 2, 2013 to accept a job with the University of Alabama system. Bonner had held the office since 2003.
