Voters in two Alabama legislative districts go to the polls today to choose a representative and a senator.

In Senate District 9, which includes parts of Blount, Madison and Marshall counties, Republican voters will decide between Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville; former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Lee George and Rep. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab. The seat was previously held by former Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Arab. No Democrat qualified for the race.

In House District 16, extending from Fayette County to north Tuscaloosa and western Jefferson counties, voters will decide whether to send Republican Bryan Brinyark or Democrat John Underwood to fill a seat formerly held by Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette.

When do polls open?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Where do I find my polling place?

The Alabama Secretary of State’s website allows you to check voter registration and the location of your polling place. You can find it here.

What do I need to vote?

Voters must present a valid photo ID before voting. Valid forms of ID include:

• Alabama driver’s license (not expired or expired less than 60 days)
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital driver’s license
• Alabama Non-Driver ID (not expired or expired less than 60 days)
• Alabama Photo Voter ID card
• State-issued ID (Alabama or any other state)
• Federal-issued ID
• U.S. Passport
• Employee ID from the federal government; state of Alabama; county; municipality, board or other entity of Alabama
• Student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)
• Digital student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)
• Military ID
• Tribal ID

Where are the districts located?

Senate District 9 takes in Marshall County and parts of Madison County to the north and Blount County to the south.

House District 16 takes in Fayette County in north central Alabama; much of Tuscaloosa County north of I-20 and portions of western Jefferson County.

How did the seats become vacant?

Business opportunities. South resigned from House District 16 in June to become the CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

Scofield resigned in October to take a job as an executive vice president with the Business Council of Alabama.

Do the seats have partisan leanings?

Senate District 9 and House District 16 are both strongly Republican.

In Senate District 9, Scofield ran unopposed in 2022, 2018 and 2014. He took 68.9% of the vote in 2010.

South won House District 16 unopposed in 2018 and 2022. He took 75% of the vote in 2014.

What issues dominate the races?

Candidates running for Senate District 9 emphasized education and workforce development, along with infrastructure and economic growth within the district. Colvin expressed his belief that funding should follow the student, and he said the state Department of Education should not have regulatory control over homeschooling or private schools. Kitchens suggested that pre-K attendance should not be mandatory. George, if elected, said he would give children the ability to pray before football games, followed by a proposal for a prayer at the beginning of each school day.

In House District 16, Brinyark and Underwood both said prioritizing education and support for hospitals, though they differ in their approaches. Brinyark suggested engaging in discussions with the healthcare system but did not endorse Medicaid expansion. In contrast, Underwood supports expansion and proposed collaborating with Republicans for a long-term funding approach. Brinyark supports parents choosing schools beyond their zoning, citing educational disparities in Alabama, while Underwood stressed the need for more special education support. Both candidates emphasized the significance of prioritizing infrastructure enhancements, especially in roads, for the district.

What happens after today?

In Senate District 9, if no candidate gets 50% of the vote, a runoff for the party nomination will take place on Feb. 6 between the top two vote-getters in each race.

In House District 16, either Brinyark or Underwood will be elected to represent the district.

Will the results alter control of the House?

No. Republicans currently hold 76 of the 105 seats in the lower chamber of the state Legislature and 26 of the 35 seats in the upper chamber.

Candidates for Senate District 9

Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville

Age: 28

Residence: Albertville

Occupation: Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial

Education: A.S., Finance, Snead State Community College, 2016; B.S., Commerce and business Administration, Economics and finance, University of Alabama, 2019

Party: Republican

Previous political experience: Alabama state representative, 2022-present.

Fundraising: According to filings with the Secretary of State, Colvin raised $146,929 and spent $90,305 through Thursday afternoon, as well as $8,071 in non-monetary contributions.

Stacy Lee George

Age: 54

Residence: Arab

Occupation: Business owner of Let George Do Produce and Notary on Wheels

Education: Attended Calhoun Community College and Auburn University

Party: Republican

Previous political experience: Republican candidate for governor, 2022; Republican candidate for governor, 2014; Morgan County Commissioner, 2000-2008.

Fundraising: According to the Secretary of State as of 2024, George raised $10,770, spent $19,743 expenditures, and had $1,762 in non-monetary contributions and $9,887 in other receipts through Jan. 5.

Rep. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab

Age: 34

Residence: Arab

Occupation: Agent at Holloway Hunt Insurance Agency

Education: B.A., Political science, Auburn University, 2011.

Party: Republican

Previous political experience: Alabama state representative, 2018-present.

Fundraising: According to the Secretary of State as of 2024, Kitchens raised $187,748, spent $212,758 expenditures, and had $500.00 in non-monetary contributions and $50,000.00 in other receipts through Thursday afternoon.

Candidates for House District 16

Bryan Brinyark

Age: 55

Residence: Windham Springs

Occupation: Lawyer and Centreville municipal court judge since 2005.

Education: B.A., Advertising, University of Alabama, 1990; J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1993.

Party: Republican

Previous political experience/campaign: First-time candidate.

Fundraising: According to the Secretary of State as of 2024, Brinyark raised $163,380, spent $148,178 in expenditures, and had $2,586 in non-monetary contributions and $6,486 in other receipts through Jan. 5.

John Underwood

Age: 61

Residence: Fayette

Occupation: Part-time police officer at Bevill State Community College, former law enforcement since 1995.

Education: Associates degree in General Education, Brewer State Junior College (now Bevill State Community College), 1982.

Party: Democratic

Previous political experience/campaign: Fayette County Commissioner, 2000-present.

Fundraising: According to the Secretary of State as of 2024, Underwood raised $5,490, spent $5,168 expenditures, and had $4,443 in non-monetary contributions through Dec. 29.