Candidate qualifying for Alabama’s 2026 primary elections opens today, marking the formal start of what party leaders expect to be a competitive campaign season for state and federal offices.
The Alabama Republican Party and the Alabama Democratic Party will both open their qualifying periods on January 5, with deadlines set for January 23.
According to the Alabama Republican Party, qualifying for Republican candidates begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday and will remain open through 5 p.m. Friday, January 23. Prospective candidates may qualify online or in person at party headquarters in Hoover.
“The start of qualifying marks a major milestone in a campaign season that is already drawing interest from a deep bench of candidates,” Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said in a statement. “Alabama has no shortage of exceptionally qualified people willing to step up and serve.”
Republican candidates may seek nomination for a wide range of offices on the 2026 ballot, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor and other statewide constitutional offices, seats in the Alabama Legislature, judicial positions, and the State Board of Education. County-level offices do not qualify through the state party and must be filed with local county Republican organizations.
Primary elections for both parties are scheduled for May 19, 2026, with runoff elections set for June 16. The general election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
The Alabama Democratic Party has also announced that its qualifying period will open at 9 a.m. Monday, January 5, and close at 5 p.m. January 23. Information on qualifying will be posted on the party’s website when the window opens, and candidates will be able to qualify online or in person.
“This is the first time since 2018 that Democrats have had candidates running for every congressional seat in the state,” said Tabitha Isner, vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party. “It’s the first time since 2010 that we will have candidates for every statewide constitutional office in Alabama. The passion for change is showing up in the surge of candidates.”
The party encourages candidates to use its online qualifying portal, which will provide completed candidacy declarations and fee invoices electronically. Paper forms will also be available for download for candidates who prefer to qualify in person or by mail at party headquarters in Montgomery.
Candidates seeking county-level offices, such as sheriff or probate judge, must qualify through their local county party rather than the state party.
Both parties are reminding candidates that required state filings must be completed before party qualifying. Those filings include establishing a principal campaign committee with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office and submitting a Statement of Economic Interest to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
Additional qualifying information is available through each party’s official website.
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