Not a single vote has yet been cast, but the election will soon be over.

Democratic party bosses next week will name someone to become the next treasurer of Alabama’s largest county, after both the incumbent and her rival failed to file state paperwork on time, costing them a spot on the ballot.

The state ethics commission earlier this week affirmed a decision by its staff to strike both Eyrika Parker, the incumbent Jefferson County treasurer, and Mara Ruffin Allen from consideration for missing the deadline to file ethics forms.

The action on Wednesday is the latest loss for both candidates, following earlier failed appeals to state court judges in Montgomery County.

“When we do have our caucus, we will not be able to accept either Mara Ruffin Allen or Eyrika Parker as nominees because the ethics commission has said because they were disallowed on the March ballot, they will not be allowed on the November ballot,” Jefferson County Democratic Chairman Wayne Rogers told AL.com Friday. “The Ethics Commission has given their opinion of what the law is, and we have no choice but to follow the dictates of the ethics commission.”

The treasure is responsible for selecting banks to invest millions in county money.

Jefferson County Democratic Party brass will now meet to name a candidate for the seat. Because there are no Republicans seeking the position, the Democratic candidate is guaranteed to win the position.

Rogers on Friday also announced a meeting of the 121-member Jefferson County Executive Committee to select a candidate on Feb. 17. The meeting is at 10 a.m. at the Five Points West Library in Birmingham.

Parker, who has about a year left in her term, offered few words regarding the Ethics Commission’s ruling.

“I’m going to say what I always say, the best is yet to come,” she said.

Her attorney offered further response.

“We’re obviously disappointed and we disagree with the commission’s interpretation of the ethics statute, but we accept it,” said attorney Calvin Biggers. “Ms. Parker will continue to seek other ways to serve the public.”

On the other side, Allen, a Bessemer business owner in her first run for office, said her candidacy is not over.

Allen maintains that her court case in Montgomery County Circuit Court remains open. The judge did not rule against her but only denied her motion for the temporary restraining order to allow her name to appear on the primary ballot.

“We’re just waiting for another hearing,” Allen said. “I don’t know why the Democratic Party is going ahead to nominate somebody. It’s not over with.”

The name of whoever is selected to run in the general election will not appear on the primary ballot but will appear as the single name during the general election, Allen noted.

“I have been patiently waiting for the judge’s decision. I don’t know why the Democratic Party is in such a hurry.”

In a change of rules to assure no other candidate is disqualified for failure to turn in required papers on time, the party is requiring people to have their completed financial disclosure form before being considered for the appointment.

According to state law, candidates must file a statement of economic interest within five days of qualifying to run for office. Failure to comply with the filing requirement disqualifies the candidate. The Alabama Ethics Commission must certify whether candidates have filed the form.

In all, 13 candidates in Jefferson County were disqualified to run in the March 5 primary.

Since then, three of them were restored after proving that they had filed the forms: Cheryl Hamilton Long, candidate for Constable District 56; Joan Singleton, candidate for Jefferson County Assistant Tax Collector, Bessemer and Andre Glenn Bennett, a candidate for Constable District 51.