2023 Talladega Municipal Runoff Election

Dear Reader,

At Transform Alabama, we seek to provide practical political education, buildcommunity,andincreaseconstituentengagement.Weoffersupport tocommunityinitiativesanduseHipHopculturetochangesystems.

Read this guide, mark your choices, and take it to the polls.

TransformAlabamapartneredwithGreaterBirminghamMinistriestooffer youthisElectionGuideasauseful,non-partisantool.Wedonotendorse anycandidateorpoliticalparty.Weaimtoprovidebalancedinformation soyoucandecidewhotovoteforandpreparetovote.

ThisguidewascreatedinpartnershipwithGBM’sprogramTheExchange. TransformAlabama'sexecutivedirectorresearchedtheofficesandwrote biographies for each candidate. Most candidates completed a candidate survey.

Pg.2providesinformationaboutvotingrightsafterafelonyconviction. Onpg.5,followtheflowchartforstepsyoucantaketopreparetovote. Seepg.7fortipsonvotingearlyorbymailusingAlabama’sabsentee votingsystem.

Startingonpg.9,findinfoaboutthecandidates.

Please also keep in mind these very important dates:

Lastdaywerecommendmailingan absenteeballotapplication

Lastdaytoregistertovote

Features of the guide: Thank you for

Lastdaywerecommendmailingan absenteeballot

Lastdaytovoteabsenteeinperson

Deadlinetohanddeliveranabsenteeballot

August30,2023

September4,2023

September9,2023

September14,2023

September18,2023, closeofbusiness

September19,2023

Dr. Adia Winfrey Executive Director, Transform Alabama

“I have a felony conviction. Can I vote?”

Mostfelonyconvictions(felonydrugconvictions,forexample)DONOT preventyoufromregisteringtovoteinAlabama.

Formostofthefelonyconvictionsthatdisqualifyyoufromvoting,thereis aprocessforrestoringyourvotingrightssoyoucanregister.

Haveyoucompletedyoursentenceincludingprobation,parole, orcommunitysupervision?

Haveyoupaidallfines,fees,orrestitutiononthedisqualifying convictions?

ContactGBMat205-304-0481orgbmvotes@gbm.orgtodetermineyour votingeligibilityandgethelpregisteringorrestoringyourrighttovote.

Requestafreeconsultationatreturn-my-vote.com

If you answered “yes,” apply to have your voting rights restored

P r e p a r i n g f o r E l e c t i o n D a y Y e s Y e s

D o y o u h a v e a p r e v i o u s f e l o n y c o n v i c t i o n y o u b e l i e v e d i s q u a l i f i e s y o u ? A r e y o u a U S C i t i z e n ?

Y o u m a y s t i l l b e e l i g i b l e ! S e e p g . 3 f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t v o t i n g a f t e r a f e l o n y c o n v i c t i o n . R e g a r d l e s s , y o u c a n s t i l l b e i n v o l v e d — s e e S t e p 6 . R e g i s t e r t o v o t e !

C h e c k y o u r e l i g i b i l i t y t o v o t e ! W i l l y o u b e a t l e a s t 1 8 y e a r s o l d o n E l e c t i o n D a y ?

Y o u a r e n o t e l i g i b l e .

H o w e v e r , y o u c a n s t i l l b e i n v o l v e d . S k i p t o S t e p 6 .

I f y o u h a v e a v a l i d A l a b a m a ’ s D r i v e r ’ s L i c e n s e , o r N o nD r i v e r ’ s L i c e n s e , y o u c a n r e g i s t e r o n l i n e a t s o s . a l a b a m a . g o v .

P a p e r f o r m s a r e a v a i l a b l e a t t h e B o a r d o f R e g i s t r a r ’ s o f f i c e ( c a l l 2 5 6 . 7 6 1 . 2 1 3 2 o r v i s i t t h e m a t t h e T a l l a d e g a C o u n t y C o u r t h o u s e ) . C h e c k y o u r r e g i s t r a t i o n s t a t u s a n d p o l l i n g l o c a t i o n a t m y i n f o . a l a b a m a v o t e s . g o v / v o t e r v i e w . W h i l e y o u ’ r e t h e r e , u s e t h e d r o p d o w n “ D i s t r i c t s ” m e n u t o s e e y o u r v o t i n g d i s t r i c t s ( y o u ’ l l n e e d t h e m i n s t e p 4 ) .

M a k e a p l a n f o r h o w y o u w i l l v o t e !

P o l l i n g l o c a t i o n :

Y o u ’ r e e l i g i b l e !

R e m e m b e r y o u r p h o t o I D . T o v o t e y o u n e e d a v a l i d g o v e r n m e n ti s s u e d I D . T h i s c o u l d b e :

• D r i v e r ’ s l i c e n s e o r n o nd r i v e r I D

• A l a b a m a P h o t o V o t e r I D C a r d

• U S P a s s p o r t

• G o v e r n m e n t E m p l o y e e I D

• S t u d e n t o r E m p l o y e e I D f r o m a p u b l i c o r p r i v a t e c o l l e g e o r u n i v e r s i t y i n t h e s t a t e o f A l a b a m a ( o r a s t a t e i n s t i t u t i o n

o f h i g h e r e d i n a n o t h e r s t a t e ) .

• V a l i d M i l i t a r y I D

• V a l i d T r i b a l I D

M a k e a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n . W i l l y o u :

D e c i d e w h a t t i m e y o u ’ l l v o t e . ( P o l l s a r e o p e n 7 a m t o 7 p m ) . M o r n i n g L u n c h t i m e E v e n i n g

I f y o u n e e d t o r e q u e s t a f r e e r i d e , r e a c h o u t t o T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a

T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a @ g m a i l . c o m .

Y o u m a y v o t e b y m a i l o r v o t e i n p e r s o n b e f o r e E l e c t i o n D a y i f y o u m e e t c e r t a i n c r i t e r i a .

U s e t h e b u d d y s y s t e m !

D e c i d e w h a t f r i e n d s o r f a m i l y

m e m b e r s y o u c a n e n c o u r a g e t o

v o t e o r t a k e w i t h y o u t o t h e p o l l s :

P e r s o n 1 :

P e r s o n 2 :

Y o u c a n g e t a f r e e A l a b a m a V o t e r I D t h r o u g h t h e B o a r d o f R e g i s t r a r s ( 2 5 6 . 7 6 1 . 2 1 3 2 ) o r t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e ( 3 3 4 . 2 4 2 . 7 2 0 0 ) . D o n ’ t f o r g e t y o u r m a s k !

P e r s o n 3 :

S e e p g . 8 f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n .

.

C o n t i n u e t o S t e p 4 o n t h e n e x t p a g e

I f y o u d i d n o t d o s o i n S t e p 3 , l o o k u p y o u r p o l l i n g s t a t i o n a t m y i n f o . a l a b a m a v o t e s . g o v / v o t e r v i e w a n d m a k e n o t e o f y o u r d i s t r i c t s .

T a l l a d e g a C i t y W a r d : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S t a t e H o u s e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S t a t e S c h o o l B o a r d : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S t a t e S e n a t e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ U . S . S e n a t e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

L e a r n m o r e a b o u t w h a t w i l l a p p e a r o n y o u r b a l l o t .

L o o k u p y o u r s a m p l e b a l l o t , f o u n d o n b i t . l y / n o v 2 0 2 2 a l a b a m a s a m p l e . F i n d y o u r c o u n t y . S o m e r a c e s o n t h e s a m p l e b a l l o t a r e s t a t e o r c o u n t yw i d e ; u s e t h e d i s t r i c t i n f o r m a t i o n y o u w r o t e d o w n a b o v e t o c h e c k w h i c h d i s t r i c t r a c e s a p p l y t o y o u .

C h e c k o u t t h e c a n d i d a t e ’ s p l a t f o r m . L o o k u p t h e c a n d i d a t e ’ s w e b s i t e a n d s o c i a l m e d i a o r r e q u e s t m a t e r i a l s . W h e r e d o t h e y s t a n d o n i s s u e s t h a t a r e i m p o r t a n t t o y o u ? H o w d o d i f f e r e n t c a n d i d a t e s c o m p a r e t o e a c h o t h e r ? W h a t d o e s t h i s o f f i c e h a v e c o n t r o l o v e r ? W h a t i s s u e s a r e i m p o r t a n t t o y o u i n t h e i r a r e a o f i n f l u e n c e ?

R e s e a r c h t h e o f f i c e .

G u i d e t o l e a r n

E l e c t i o n

U s e t h i s

a b o u t t h e a m e n d m e n t s a n d

c a n d i d a t e s s t a r t i n g o n p g . 1 0 .

C h e c k o u t t h e i r v o t i n g r e c o r d . U s e o t h e r r e s o u r c e s t o c o m p a r e c a n d i d a t e ’ s p l a t f o r m s w i t h t h e i r v o t i n g r e c o r d s . D o y o u r o w n r e s e a r c h a b o u t t h e c a n d i d a t e s .

I f t h e c a n d i d a t e h a s h e l d a p r e v i o u s l e g i s l a t i v e o f f i c e , b a l l o t p e d i a . o r g a n d G o v T r a c k . u s a r e g o o d r e s o u r c e s t o u s e . I f t h e c a n d i d a t e h e l d a s t a t e l e g i s l a t i v e o f f i c e , y o u c a n u s e l e g i s l a t u r e . s t a t e . a l . u s . A s k q u e s t i o n s l i k e : H o w h a v e t h e y v o t e d o n r e l a t e d i s s u e s i m p o r t a n t t o m e ? H o w d o e s t h e i r r e c o r d d i f f e r f r o m t h e i r s t a t e d p l a t f o r m ?

L o o k i n t o C a m p a i g n F i n a n c e . I f y o u w a n t t o d i g e v e n d e e p e r a n d l o o k i n t o w h e r e e a c h c a n d i d a t e g e t s t h e i r f u n d i n g , t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n i s r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e o n t h e A l a b a m a E l e c t r o n i c F a i r C a m p a i g n P r a c t i c e s A c t ( F C P A ) R e p o r t i n g S y s t e m w e b s i t e . I n f o r m a t i o n o n c a m p a i g n c o n t r i b u t i o n l i m i t s a r e a l s o a v a i l a b l e . C o n s i d e r t h e n u m b e r , t h e s i z e s , a n d t h e s o u r c e s o f t h e c o n t r i b u t o r s .

A t t e n d c a n d i d a t e f o r u m s o r t o w n h a l l s . C a n d i d a t e f o r u m s c a n b e a g r e a t w a y t o g e t t o k n o w y o u r c a n d i d a t e s . C o m e p r e p a r e d w i t h q u e s t i o n s y o u ’ d l i k e t o a s k .

B e w a r e o f f a l s e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d f a l s e p o l i t i c a l a d s ! A l o t o f w e b s i t e s a i m t o s p r e a d f a l s e i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d p o l i t i c a l a d s d o n ’ t h a v e t o b e t r u e t o b e s h a r e d , s o e x e r c i s e c a u t i o n a n d s k e p t i c i s m . C o n s i d e r w h e t h e r t h e s o u r c e i s r e p u t a b l e a n d s e e w h a t o t h e r n e w s o u t l e t s a r e s a y i n g a b o u t t h e s a m e t o p i c .

D e c i d e h o w y o u w i l l v o t e . Y o u c a n m a r k u p y o u r s a m p l e b a l l o t a n d / o r t h i s g u i d e a n d b r i n g i t w i t h y o u t o v o t e .

2 . 0

5 6 .

6 7 t o s e e h o w y o u c a n p a r t n e r w i t h u s . V o l u n t e e r w i t h T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a !

C o n t a c t o u r T e a m a t T r a n s f o r m A l a b a m a @ g m a i l . c o m o r

Voting Absentee

Peoplewhomeetcertaincriteriacanuseourabsenteesystemtovotebymail orvoteinpersonbeforeElectionDay.ThiselectionhasnospecialCovid-19 provisionsforabsenteevoting.Youmayvoteabsenteeifyou:

willnotbeinTalladegaCountyonElectionDay.

areilloraphysicaldisabilitykeepsyoufromgoingtothepolls.

areanAlabamavoterlivingoutsideofyourcounty,suchasmilitary personnel,someonelivingabroad,oracollegestudent.

areanelectionofficerorpollwatcheratapollingplaceawayfromyour own.

workarequiredshiftthatis10ormorehoursduringpollhours.

areacaregivertoafamilymemberconfinedtotheirhome.

areinprisonorjailanddonothaveadisqualifyingconviction.

Vote Absentee in Person

UntilAugust17,youcandothewholeabsenteeprocessfromapplicationto ballotinpersonatyourAbsenteeElectionManager’sOffice(seenextpagefor JeffersonCountylocations).Callaheadtoverifywhichoneyoushouldvisit.

Note: Absentee Election Managers recommend voting absentee in person over doing the process by mail in order to avoid any mail delays and to prevent potential mistakes in your application or ballot.

Vote

Findanabsenteeballotapplicationonalabamavotes.govORcallCity Clerk(seenextpageforphonenumbers).

Fillouttheapplication.Choose“GeneralElection.”Choosethereason thatbestappliestoyou.Makesureyousigntheapplication(nowitness needed).

MailtheapplicationandacopyofyoureligiblephotoID(seepg.5)toyour AbsenteeElectionManager.Useoneenvelopeperapplication.

Whenyourballotarrives,fillitoutwithablackballpointpen,thensealit intheproperenvelopes.Yourballotcouldtakeaweekormoretoarrive.

Sealyourcompletedballotinthesecrecyenvelope,thensealyour secrecyenvelopeintheaffidavitenvelope.

Recruitanotaryortwowitnessesandsignandfillouttheaffidavit.This stepisessentialtohavingyourballotcounted.

Sealyouraffidavitenvelopeinsidethepre-addressedenvelopeandreturn yourballot.MailitwiththreestampsviaUSPSorviaacommercialcarrier, orhanddelivertotheAbsenteeElectionManager.

Note: if you apply for your absentee ballot but do not turn it in, you still have the right to vote in person. If the poll worker says you are marked as absentee, ask for a provisional ballot.

Permanent Disability Absentee Voting

Ifyouhaveapermanentdisability,youcansubmitaspecialapplicationand receiveabsenteeballotsbymailforallelectionsthatyear.Note:

Theapplicationincludesamandatoryphysician’sreportsection.Itmust besignedbyaphysicianandnotarized.

Youmustapplyforthisdesignationannually.Itisnotpermanent. Stateandmunicipalelectionshaveseparateapplications.Sendthe municipalapplicationtotheCityClerk.Forallotherelections,sendthe generalapplicationtoyourAbsenteeElectionManager.

Youcanselecttheelectionsyouwouldliketoreceiveballotsfor.Besure tospecifyyourpartyfortheprimaryorprimaryrunoffelections.

Emergency Absentee Voting

Inthefivedayspriortotheelection,ifcertaincircumstancesarisethat preventyoufromvotingatyourpollingplace,youcanvote emergency absentee.

YoucanhanddeliveryouremergencyabsenteeapplicationtoyourAbsentee ElectionManagernolaterthanthedaybeforetheelection(August21),if:

youarerequiredbyyouremployertoworkonElectionDay(andyou foundoutaboutitwithinthefivedaysbeforetheelection).

youareacaregiverofapersonwhorequiresemergencytreatmentby alicensedphysicianwithinthefivedaysbeforetheelection. yourfamilymemberdieswithinthefivedayspriortotheelection. Relativesmustbefirstorseconddegreeofkinshipbybloodorby marriage(e.g.step-relativesandrelatives-in-law).Thisincludesparents, siblings,spouses,children,grandparents,andgrandchildren.

Foryourownmedicalemergenciesarisingwithinfivedaysoftheelection:

Ontheemergencyabsenteeapplicationform,alsocompletethe physician’sreportontheabsenteeapplicationandhavethephysician signitORattachthephysician’sreporttotheabsenteeapplication. IfyouareunabletotaketheapplicationtotheAbsenteeElection Manager’soffice,adesigneecanhanddelivertheapplicationandthe absenteeballot.Completethedesigneesectionontheapplication.

Hours: M-F, 8 am to 5 pm

AfterElectionDay,visitmyinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview tocheckthe statusofyourabsenteeorprovisionalballot.

Offices and Candidates

We are a 501(c)3 organization and do not endorse any candidates

MayorofTalladega

The Mayor is recognized as the head of the municipal government for all ceremonial purposes like ribbon cuttings and proclamations. The Mayor has no other administrative duties.

(Source: Alabama Constitution, 61A. Talladega County Municipalities, Local Provisions, §61A-2.01. Council-Manager Form of Government., Amendment 738)

Jerry Cooper

JerryCooperistheformerMayorofTalladega.Heisaretiredmailcarrier,a roleheheldforover30years.Duringhisfirsttermasmayor,Jerryworked closelywiththeHallofHeroes.Healsoworkedwithlocalgroupstohelp the Talladega High School Boys Basketball championship team receive variousrecognitions.

Ashton Hall

Ashton Hall is a Talladega High School graduate and a Class of 2023 Talladega College graduate. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Child DevelopmentandInstruction.WhileatTalladegaCollege,Ashtonservedon theSGAExecutiveCabinetforthreeterms.HeiscurrentlyViceChairforthe City Planning Commission. Ashton’s priorities as mayor would be increasing activities for children, and bringing more businesses and attractions.

The City of Talladega operates as a council-manager form of government. The five-member council is elected from single member wards. The city manager is hired by the city council.

(Source: Alabama Constitution, 61A. Talladega County Municipalities, Local Provisions, §61A-2.01. Council-Manager Form of Government., Amendment 738)

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#Race2ThePolls

A multimedia get out to vote campaign featuring the song "Race 2 the Polls" by Dr. Dia and produced J Soul.

#TransformersUnite

Editor and Lead Organizer: Dr. Adia Winfrey

Organizing Director/Graphic Design Template: Amanda Cherry

Special thanks to the entire Greater Birmingham Ministries Team

ShoutouttotheTransformAlabamaTalladegaCountyTeam: JohnMcClellan,SharonBell,AmeerahWinfrey,BarryCalhoun,MauriceGrey, SamirraBraswell,BridgetDickerson-Merritt,HopeJohnson,ChrisJohnson, JuanitaMcClellan,DonovanWinfrey,LindaMcClellan,AidanWinfrey, DaymionWinfrey,MarthaJordan,GeorgiaGoodwineChristian

Thank you to the non-profits, businesses, community organizations, churches, and individuals who helped distribute our guides!

Forprintedguidesforyourcommunity,email

TransformAlabama@gmail.com

Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art, Talladega College

MISSION

To build a more equitable democracy by mobilizing everyday citizens through producing Hip Hop-based intergenerational community events, collecting oral histories, and creating multimedia content that promotes civic engagement.