Special to the
Opelika Observer
On Friday, Gov. Robert Bentley released a proclamation outlining the timeline to fill the vacant House District 79 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives.
House District 79, which covers Lee County, was formerly held by convicted Representative Mike Hubbard.
According to the proclamation released:
·A Special Primary Election shall be held on Tuesday, Sept. 13. In the event that a Special Primary Election is not necessary, because the major parties each have only one candidate, the Special General Election shall be held on Tuesday, November 29.
A Special Primary Runoff Election shall be held on Tuesday, Nov. 29 if necessitated by one candidate not receiving a majority of the votes cast in the Special Primary Election for either major party.
In the event that a Special Primary Runoff Election is not necessary, because one candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in the Special Primary Election for each major party, then a Special General Election shall be held on Tuesday, Nov. 29. In the event a Special Primary Runoff Election is required to be held, then the Special General Election shall be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017.
“The timeline that Governor Bentley announced will allow time for candidates to qualify and ensures that House District 79 has representation leading up to the 2017 Legislative Session,” said Secretary Merrill.
Candidates qualifying with major political parties should be advised that the last day for any candidate to qualify with their respective parties, regarding such election, will be Thursday, July 14 at 5 p.m. The two major political parties shall certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State as soon as possible after the qualification deadline but by no later than noon July 15.
All third-party candidates, independent candidates, and/or minor party candidates seeking ballot access are advised that their deadline for filing the appropriate notification, petitions, or supporting paperwork with the Secretary of State is Sept. 13 at 5 p.m.
