GBM Voter Guide 2020

Voter Guide

Jefferson County, Alabama 2020 Primary Election March 3, 2020 This Voter Guide is brought to you by The Exchange, a program of Greater Birmingham Ministries.

The Exchange is a group of mostly Gen Z and millennials that gather monthly to discuss justice issues and what we can do locally. We wanted to share our research on the primary election with you so that we can all become better informed participants in our democracy.

How to use this guide: Start with the flowchart starting on page 4 to see everything you can do to prepare for primary election day.

For each office, this guide provides a job description and a brief summary of each candidate that will appear on primary ballots in Jefferson County. Candidates running unopposed in their party will not be on the primary ballot, so they are not listed here. We also provide a recommendation on the constitutional amendment.

If you want more information before you make a decision about how you will vote, we invite you to use the tips in the flowchart to dig deeper.

What is a Primary Election?

Political parties use primary elections to select who will represent their party in the general election. There may also be state constitutional amendments on the ballot.

When you show up to your polling place on the day of the primary, you must choose a political party, and you will be given a ballot with the proposed constitutional amendments and the candidates of the party you have chosen. If you decide not to choose a political party, you will instead receive a ballot with only the amendments.

The party or candidates you choose in the primary have no bearing on who you get to vote for in the general election. In the general election, you can vote for candidates from more than one party.

Important Dates:

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Deadlines to register to vote in the primary

Hand delivered: February 14, 2020 Postmarked: February 15, 2020 Online: February 17, 2020

Deadline to request an absentee ballot

February 27, 2020

Deadline to turn in an absentee ballot

March 2, 2020

Date of Primary Election

March 3, 2020

Date of Primary Run off (if needed)

March 31, 2020

Deadline to register for general election

October 19, 2020

General Election Date

November 3, 2020

Ballot Measure in the 2020 AL Primary Amendment One: Appointed Education Board Amendment

Amendment One would do the following: 1. Change the name of the State Board of Education to the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as change the name of the State Superintendent of Education to the Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2. Allow the governor to appoint the members of the commission instead of those members being elected by voters as it stands now, 3. Allow the commission to appoint the Secretary of Education with confirmation from the Senate, and 4. Require the commission to create new standards “in lieu of common core.”

GBM’s recommendation: Vote No on Amendment One. This amendment would take the electoral power from the people and allow the governor to appoint all members of the commission. We believe that voters should have a say in who serves on the State Board of Education (no matter what its name is).

Offices and Candidates on the 2020 Primary Ballots President of the United States

The President is the head of state and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. They implement and enforce laws written by Congress, and they have the power to sign legislation into law or veto bills (although Congress may override a veto). They appoint the heads of federal agencies, including their Cabinet. They conduct diplomacy with other countries and can negotiate and sign treaties, which must be ratified by the Senate. The President can also make executive orders and give pardons and clemencies.

We have decided not to focus on the presidential race in this guide. We encourage you to consult the abundance of existing well-researched resources on the presidential candidates.

For example, we found The New York Times’ and USA Today’s interactive resources to be helpful, and we enjoyed the Washington Post’s quiz on the Democratic candidates.

Delegates to the Party’s National Conventions

When you choose a presidential candidate, you’re also asked to vote for the delegates that will represent that person at the party’s national convention if the candidate receives a certain percentage of that state’s votes. Democratic voters elect district-level delegates to accompany at-large delegates and automatic delegates (or superdelegates). Republican voters elect statewide delegates and district delegates to accompany party and bonus delegates.

What you need to know: First, choose which presidential candidate to vote for. Then choose among the delegates listed under their name, following the ballot instructions on how many you can pick. When these delegates go to the national convention, they must vote for that specified presidential candidate to receive the party’s nomination.

Key: Red “R” = Republican Candidate Blue “D” = Democrat Candidate 3

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Yes

Do you have a previous felony conviction you believe disqualifies you?

You may still be eligible!

Check with Dori at GBM (205.304.0481) to see if you’ve lost your voting rights, and if you have, how to get them back. Regardless, you can still be involved—see Step 6.

Are you a US Citizen?

You’re eligible!

Make a plan for how you will vote!

Check your registration status and polling location. Do so at sos.alabama.gov. While you’re there, take note of the ballot style listed (you’ll need it in step 4).

Register to vote!

If you have a valid Alabama’s Driver’s License, or Non-Driver’s License, you can register online at sos.alabama.gov. Paper forms are available at the Board of Registrar’s office. GBM can also supply you with forms and assist you in filling them out.

However, you can still be involved.

Skip to Step 6.

You are not eligible.

No

Yes

No

Check your eligibility to vote! Will you be at least 18 years old on Election Day?

Ye s

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Preparing for Primary Election Day

No

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Carpool Walk

Lunchtime

Evening

Person 3:____________________

Person 2:____________________

Person 1:____________________

Decide what friends or family members you can encourage to vote or take with you to the polls:

Use the buddy system!

Morning

Decide what time of day you’ll vote.

If you need to request a free ride, reach out to AIDs Alabama at 205.918.8220

Drive your own vehicle Ride the bus

Make arrangements for transportation. Will you:

You can get a free Alabama Voter ID through the Board of Registrar or the Secretary of State.

Driver’s license or non-driver ID Alabama Photo Voter ID Card US Passport Government Employee ID Student or Employee ID from a public or private college or university in the state of Alabama (or a state institution or higher education in another state).

• Valid Military ID • Valid Tribal ID

• • • • •

Continue to Step 4 on the next page...

• You will be out of the country on Election Day. • Your illness or physical disability prevents you from getting to the polls.

• You are an election official or poll watcher at a different polling place.

• Your shift is 10 hours or more and coincides with polling hours.

You can vote absentee if:

If needed, request an absentee ballot. Call the Absentee Voting Office at 205.325.5313.

Remember your photo ID. To vote you need a valid government-issued ID. This could be:

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Do your own research about the candidates.

Use this voter guide to learn more about the offices and the candidates, as well as the constitutional amendment.

What does this office have control over? What issues are important to you in their area of influence?

Research the office.

Use other resources to compare candidate’s platforms with their voting records.

Check out their voting record.

Look up the candidate’s website or request materials.

Where do they stand on issues that are important to you?

How do different candidates compare to each other?

Check out the candidate’s platform.

Decide which party’s primary you will vote in. If you don’t already know which party best represents you, use this guide to see which party’s candidates catch your eye. You can choose: Republican Democrat Ballot with only the constitutional amendment

If you did not do so in Step 3, look up your polling station at sos.alabama.gov and make note of your ballot style.

Look up your sample ballot, found on sos.alabama.gov.

Under your county, choose whether you want the Republican or Democrat ballot. In the PDF, look for your ballot style listed under the title “Sample Ballot”. You can also get a copy at the Jefferson County Probate Court.

Learn more about what will appear on your ballot.

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Look into Campaign Finance.

If you want to dig even deeper and look into where each candidate gets their funding, that information is all readily available on the Alabama Electronic Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) Reporting System website.

Information on campaign contribution limits are also available. Consider the number, the sizes, and the sources of the contributors.

Ask questions like: How have they voted on related issues important to me? How does their record differ from their stated platform?

Contact Amanda at amanda@gbm.org or 205.326.6821 to see how you can partner with us in our Systems Change and voter engagement work.

Volunteer with Greater Birmingham Ministries!

Decide how you will vote. You can mark up your sample ballot and/or this guide and bring it with you to the polls.

Beware of fake news and false political ads!

A lot of websites aim to spread false information, and political ads don’t have to be true to be shared, so exercise caution and skepticism.

Consider whether the source is reputable and see what other news outlets are saying about the same topic.

Attend a Candidate Forum or Townhall. Find and attend candidate forums or townhalls they’re participating in. Come prepared with questions you’d like to ask.

If the candidate has held a previous legislative office, ballotpedia.org and GovTrak.us are good resources to use.

If the candidate held a state legislative office, you can use legislature.state.al.us.

Offices and Candidates on the 2020 Primary Ballots (continued)

United States Senator

Each state elects two senators to serve in the U.S.. Congress. Senators serve six-year terms with staggered elections. A senator’s work includes debating bills (proposed laws), proposing amendments (changes) to bills and representing the interests of people in their state or territory.

Stanley Adair, R Stanley Adair is a former businessman and entrepreneur who supports prayer in school and pro-life movements. He favors term limits, immigration restrictions, and gun rights.

Bradley Byrne, R Bradley Byrne is an attorney elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a 2013 special election. Byrne promotes smaller government, second amendment rights, immigration restrictions, and term limits. He also seeks to revitalize rural Alabama and protect farmers.

Arnold Mooney, R Arnold Mooney is a commercial real estate broker and since 2014 has held a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. Mooney lists his top issues as religious freedom, border security, gun rights, traditional family structure, and supporting pro-life movements.

He also wants to decrease the national debt and implement a completely free market healthcare system.

Roy Moore, R Roy Moore served as the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court from 2001-2003 and then again from 2013-2017. He was removed from the bench twice: first in 2003 for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Supreme Court building, and again in 2016 for his orders opposing same-sex marriage. He has lost two bids for governor and one for U.S. Senate. He emphasizes pro-life advocacy, no separation between church and state, and opposition to marriage equality.

Ruth Page Nelson, R Ruth Page Nelson is from Dothan, AL, where she previously ran for mayor. Nelson advocates for jobs, social justice, and equality. She believes that the American Dream should be accessible for all Americans.

Jeff Sessions, R Jeff Sessions served in the U.S. Senate from 1997-2017 until he resigned to become the U.S. Attorney General from 2017-2018. Sessions emphasizes free markets, religious freedom, and the traditional family structure. He has also pledged to support President Trump’s agenda, especially related to border control and immigration.

Tommy Tuberville, R Tommy Tuberville was the head football coach at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008.

Tuberville lists his top issues as implementing smaller government, improving education, lowering taxes and decreasing spending, securing the border, strengthening the military, fighting against gun regulation, repealing the Affordable Care Act, and fighting the right to an abortion.

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Public Service Commission President

The Public Service Commission President is responsible for the supervision and regulation of the state’s utility (electricity, gas, water, railroad, and telecommunications) companies.

The Commission’s mission is “to ensure a regulatory balance between regulated companies and consumers.” It is composed of three elected members: a President and two associate commissioners. They run statewide in partisan elections, and each serves a 4-year term.

Laura Casey, D Laura Casey is a Vestavia High School basketball coach. She ran for State Senate District 15 in 2018 but withdrew. She supports solar energy, lower utility bills, cleaner air, and cleaner water. Casey filed suit in December 2019 against the PSC, alleging that the commission violated the Open Meetings Act by preventing her from recording a commission hearing on fees charged by Alabama Power for the installation of solar panels.

Robert Mardis III, D Robert Mardis received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from UAB. He is President of UAB College Democrats, Community Service Director of Young Democrats of America, and is a volunteer literacy tutor and mentor with M-POWER Ministries. He supports fair utility rates, energy efficient power grids, clean water, and clean air.

Robin Litaker, R Robin Litaker received master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Winthrop College. She also holds a specialist certificate in educational leadership from the University of Montevallo and a doctorate in education from Samford University. She has been involved in the board of education and school systems in Alabama for many years. She has experience with volunteering and organizing community activities. She believes in transparency and accountability.

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (incumbent), R Twinkle Cavanaugh currently serves as the President of the Alabama Public Service Commission. She graduated from Auburn University. Her professional experience includes being a Former Executive Director for the Alabama Republican Party, co-owner of the Cavanaugh Bradley Animal Hospital, co-owner of Conservative Solutions, and Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Bob Riley. She fights in favor of the coal industry and against many environmental initiatives. Cavanaugh served as cochair of Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama when the organization spearheaded the passage of the pro-life Amendment Two in 2018.

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Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Judge

The Court of Criminal Appeals can review decisions and change outcomes of the decisions of lower courts. It hears all appeals of felony and misdemeanor cases, including violations of city ordinances and all post-conviction orders in criminal cases. This is the court of last resort. The two seats are up for partisan election. A full term on the court is six years.

Place 1 Melvin Hasting, R Melvin Hasting received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and his law degree from the Birmingham School of Law. Hasting runs his own practice in Cullman, AL. Mary Windom (incumbent), R Mary Windom received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Alabama and her law degree from Faulkner University. She has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Alabama and as a Deputy Attorney General of Alabama. She was elected to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in 2008 and became the presiding judge in 2012.

Place 2 Jill Ganus, R Jill Ganus received both her bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Alabama. She has served on both the Hoover Board of Education and on the Jefferson County District Court. She also served as a prosecutor in Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties for 16 years.

Beth Kellum (incumbent), R Beth Kellum earned both her undergraduate and law degree from the University of Alabama. She has worked as the Assistant Attorney General for Alabama and as a staff attorney for the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court. In 2008, she was elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals and has since remained there.

Will Smith, R Will Smith received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Alabama. He continued on to receive his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He has stated he is running on “Alabama values and conservative principles.”

Tax Collector: Jefferson County

The Tax Collector collects property taxes for parcels located in Jefferson County.

Charles E. Alexander, D Charles E. Alexander received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics and his master’s degree in public administration. He has served as the Senior Revenue Examiner for Bessemer County for the last 12 years. He emphasizes accountability, approachability, and availability.

J.T. Smallwood (incumbent), D J.T. Smallwood has been Jefferson County’s Tax Collector since his election in 2002. He earned his undergraduate degree from UAB and went on to receive his law degree from the Birmingham School of Law. Previously, Smallwood was a Law Firm Administrator and a lecturer in Law and Ethics.

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Associate Justice of the Alabama State Supreme Court

The state Supreme Court is Alabama’s court of last resort. It has jurisdiction over decisions made by the lower courts. The Alabama Supreme Court also reviews the nation’s laws and judges whether they are allowed under the Constitution, as applicable to the state. Each justice is elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.

Place 1 Greg Shaw (incumbent), R Greg Shaw received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University and went on to earn his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford. He has served on the Alabama Supreme Court since his election in 2008. Shaw was also a judge on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals from 2001 to 2009 and has served as chief judge on the Alabama Court of the Judiciary.

Cam Ward, R Cam Ward is an Alabama State Senator and currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and President of the Alabama Law Institute. Ward was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2002. After two terms in the House, he was elected to the State Senate. He specializes in criminal justice reform and economic development.

Ward says, “As a judge, my role will be to interpret the law exactly as it is written, not to write new ones.”

Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Judge

This court has authority to hear all civil appeals for amounts less than $50,000. The court also exercises jurisdiction over appeals in workers’ compensation cases and domestic relations cases, including annulment, divorce, alimony, child support, adoption, and child custody cases. There are five judges on the Court of Civil Appeals. They are elected in statewide partisan elections to six-year terms.

Place 2 Phillip Bahakel, R Phillip Bahakel received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He was a Jefferson County District judge from 2001-2007 and now works with a private practice. Bahakel emphasizes an efficient courtroom and interpreting the constitution as it is written.

Matt Fridy, R Matt Fridy attended the University of Montevallo for his undergraduate degree and Cumberland Law School at Samford University for his law degree. He is currently serving as an Alabama House Representative and working as an attorney. He supports less government intervention and strict interpretation of the law.

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Alabama Circuit Court Judge, Circuit 10: Jefferson County

Circuit Court is the highest court in the county. The circuit courts are where jury trials take place.

In most Alabama counties, the circuit courts hear both civil and criminal cases. In Jefferson County there is a civil division and a criminal division.

Place 3 Kechia Davis, D Kechia Davis was appointed Birmingham Municipal Court judge in March of 2017. She also has 13 years of experience as a trial attorney with Jefferson County. The main issues Davis plans to focus on are implementing a Gun Court Program, which educates participants on gun safety, and helping individuals obtain driver’s licenses despite past convictions. Davis earned both her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and her law degree from the University of Alabama.

Sandy E. Lee, D Sandy E. Lee began his career as a police officer, later attending law school to become a defense attorney, specifically for individuals who are unable to afford quality legal representation. Lee plans to use his public service experience to fight against rising crime and gun violence rates. Lee received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from UAB and his law degree from the Birmingham School of Law. Everett W. Wess, D Wess previously ran for Jefferson County Probate Court in 2018, and the 10th Circuit Court in 2016 and 2014. He has served as municipal judge in Midfield, public defender in Irondale, appointed special circuit and district court judge in Jefferson County, and prosecutor in Midfield, in addition to other professional experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in Business Administration from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, as well as a JD from Birmingham School of Law.

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Alabama District Court Judge: Jefferson County

District courts are lower courts that have authority to make decisions about misdemeanors, small claims, criminal cases, guilty pleas, and civil matters not exceeding $10,000. District courts also share jurisdiction over juvenile cases regarding juvenile delinquency, child abuse, and children in need of supervision. These cases are heard by a judge, but no jury.

Place 1 Martha R. Cook (incumbent), D Martha R. Cook is currently a District Court Judge appointed in 2019 with 20+ years of civil law practice. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and received her law degree from Samford’s Cumberland School of Law. Gerri Robinson, D Gerri Robinson has not held any public office previously. Robinson has run for City Council in 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017, and for Jefferson County Circuit Court in 2010. Robinson is “committed to upholding the law and ensuring justice in the courtroom.”

Place 7 Ruby Yvette Davis, D Davis is the founder of The Davis Law Group, LLC, which focuses on wrongful deaths and injuries from car accidents and catastrophic events. She is a graduate of Lawson State Community College and Faulkner University and earned her law degree from Birmingham School of Law. Terrika Shaw, D Terrika Shaw is a Civil Law Attorney and Staff Attorney in the University of Alabama Elder Law Clinic, where in 2019 she worked on a team to help reduce the life without parole sentence of Geneva Cooley, who was arrested at 59 on drug trafficking charges with only two prior forgery convictions. Shaw received her graduate degree from the University of Alabama and her JD from Southern University Law Center.

Angeline J. Sperling, D Sperling has 13 years of experience in civil litigation and mediation and attended school at UAB, Faulkner University, Enterprise State College, and Birmingham School of Law. She has experience as a family law trial lawyer.

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Jefferson County Constable

A constable is an elected law enforcement officer that has the typical duties of a police officer, including making arrests and traffic stops. In addition, a constable can escort weddings and funerals, enforce traffic, provide security at events, and serve papers in civil affairs.

District 54 Robert L. Colvert III, D Robert Colvert has served as Deputy Constable in District 48. In May 2019 he received an Outstanding Service Award for helping a driver who had a seizure, and he was promoted to lieutenant of that district. He was also recognized on the Constable’s Facebook page for recovering a stolen car.

Roderick Dixie, D Roderick Dixie currently holds the office of Constable for District 54.

District 55 Mitchell Hagood, D Mitchell Hagood is the owner of the occult and metaphysical store Books, Beans, and Candles. His campaign’s facebook page says, “Let’s give our community a voice.”

Shukri Muwwakkil, D Shukri Muwwakkil graduated from Miles College with a degree in Criminal Justice. He has served as Deputy Constable and with the Alabama Volunteers, Mississippi State Guard, and the Alabama State Defense Force. His goals are to reduce crime, preserve the peace, and provide a safe environment.

District 59 Frederick A. Burkes, D Our research found no information on this candidate.

James R. Franklin (incumbent), D James Franklin currently holds the office of Constable for District 59. He is a retired police officer who grew up in East Lake and has lived in Tarrant for over 20 years.

District 60 Eddie Bradford, D Eddie Bradford graduated from Stillman College with a degree in Business Management and Elementary Education. Bradford operates a nonprofit mentoring program for young men. He promotes community service and mentorship.

Wanda Faye Bryant (incumbent), D Wanda Faye Bryant currently holds the office of Constable for District 60. She is also actively involved with the Poor People’s Campaign and supports prison rehabilitation. Bryant emphasizes her compassion and experience as she runs for constable.

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Treasurer: Jefferson County

The Jefferson County Treasurer invests tax dollars into government backed securities and or the United States Treasury. Their primary responsibility is to maintain safety, liquidity, and a market rate of return on the county’s funds. They are also responsible for paying the county’s vendors and employees.

Mike Miles (incumbent), D Mike Miles has been the Jefferson County Treasurer since his election in 2012. He emphasizes community involvement and support of education. His platform includes transparency, financial confidence, improving the county’s paperless payroll system, and continuing to strengthen local banks, including “minority-owned” lenders.

Eyrika Parker, D Eyrika Parker received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Alabama and her law degree from Southern University Law Center. She has previously worked for The Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk office. Parker also gives an extensive amount of time to community service work.

Roderick “Rod” Scott, D Rod Scott received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his master’s degree from Dartmouth College. He has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2006 and is a professor at Miles College. He emphasizes more funding for education.

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GBM.org | 205.326.6821 Thank you for reading our voter guide!

To get involved with our Systems Change work, our voter guide research, or The Exchange group, please contact Amanda at 205.326.6821 or amanda@gbm.org.