Special election for House Dist. 31 called for Dec. 3 - WBRC FOX6 News - Birmingham, AL

Special election for House Dist. 31 called for Dec. 3

From the Office of the Governor of Alabama:

Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced the timeline for a special election to fill the vacant District 31 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives.

The District 31 seat was previously held by Representative Barry Mask, who resigned from the position effective September 30.  District 31 covers portions of Coosa and Elmore Counties.  According to the election timeline released on Tuesday:

• A Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2013.
• If necessary because of one candidate not receiving a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, a Special Primary Runoff Election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.
• If a Special Primary Runoff Election is not necessary because one candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.
• If a Special Primary Runoff Election is required, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014.

"This election timeline is designed to have a representative in place as soon as possible," Governor Bentley said.  "The timeline gives candidates time to qualify, it allows voters time to learn about candidates, and it allows time for those who are unable to vote in-person to arrange to vote by absentee ballot."

Candidates qualifying with major political parties must do so by Thursday, October 10, 2013, at 5:00 p.m.  The two major political parties are to certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State as soon as possible after the qualification deadline but by no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2013.

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 Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 4:00 p.m.