The deadline to qualify to run in a municipal election is today – June 24 at 5 p.m., but with Alabama’s municipal elections approaching, there are several key dates to keep in mind.

In the upcoming general municipal elections, community members will head to the polls to elect their next mayor, council members and other local representatives in just a couple of months.

The Alabama League of Municipalities’ created a 2025 election guide with important dates and information for both community members and candidates.

On Aug. 26, 2024, exactly a year before the municipal election, candidates began receiving campaign contributions and campaigning for office.

Feb 26 was the last day for the sitting council to change the salaries for officials who will be elected in August.

March 31 was the last day for councils elected at large to number the places. Some municipalities, like Hoover, are not split into districts, so the city council is elected at large, which means all council members represent the entirety of the city.

May 26 was the last day for the council to change its district lines and location of designated voting places or add an additional voting place.

On June 10 candidates began qualifying, with that window closing June 24 at 5 p.m.

Aug. 11 is the last day to register to vote in the municipal election.

Aug. 25 is the last day for a voter to apply for an emergency absentee ballot.

The municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26. All polling places will be open for voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. An absentee ballot returned by mail must be received by noon on the day of the election.

If no candidate receives a majority of votes, runoff elections will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Elected candidates will officially take office on Monday, Nov. 3.

Not all municipalities follow the same election cycle. Tuscaloosa held its elections on March 4 with a runoff on April 1. Huntsville and Scottsboro conducted their municipal elections on Aug. 27, 2024, according to published reports.

Check your city’s website for more information regarding your local elections, including candidates, polling locations and what issues will be on the ballot.