GADSDEN – Eligible residents have until Monday, August 10, to register or update their information before the City of Gadsden’s 2026 municipal election.

The election will be held Tuesday, August 25, with voters choosing a mayor and contested City Council and school board seats. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The municipal races are nonpartisan, and write-in votes are not permitted. A runoff election will be held September 22 if one is required. The city’s new administration will take office November 2.

How to Register or Check Your Information

Residents may register or update their address or other voter information through the Alabama Secretary of State’s online voter-registration system.

Residents may also register in person through the Etowah County Board of Registrars. The office is in Room 206 of the Etowah County Courthouse at 800 Forrest Avenue in Gadsden.

Voters who have moved, changed their name, or have not voted recently should confirm that their registration remains active and contains the correct address. The Board of Registrars can be reached at 256-549-5384.

The city mailed election postcards in July containing each voter’s election date, district, and voting location. Anyone who did not receive a postcard—or received incorrect information—should contact the City Clerk or Board of Registrars.

Races on the Ballot

The city’s current sample ballots for the August 25 election list Craig Ford and Thomas Worthy as candidates for mayor.

Other contested races vary by district:

• District 1 City Council: Brandon “Bowtie” Hall, Russell Johnson, LaMont Kyle, and Tonya Lynn Latham.
• District 1 School Board: Adrienne Reed and Cynthia W. Toles.
• District 3 City Council: Larry J. Avery Jr. and Denecia Ann Getaw.
• District 4 School Board: K. Tiffany Ballou and Mike Haney.
• District 5 City Council: Linda Riggins Aaron, Curtis Fail, Joey Nichols, and Jason Wilson.
• District 6 City Council: Dixie Minatra and Renay Stokes Reeves.
• District 7 City Council: Singn Horn and Chris Robinson.

Ballots are based on the voter’s assigned municipal district. Offices without a contested race do not appear on the current district sample ballots.

Gadsden Voting Locations

The city has published its complete 2026 municipal-election polling-place list:

• District 1A: Antioch Baptist Church Family Life Center, 2103 East Broad Street.
• District 1B: East Gadsden Community Center, 921 Wilson Avenue.
• District 2A: East Gadsden Community Center, 921 Wilson Avenue.
• District 2B: Thompson Community Center, 236 Goldenrod Avenue.
• District 3A: Abundant Life Church gym, 323 South 12th Street.
• District 3B: Carver Community Center, 1030 Tuscaloosa Avenue.
• District 3C: Thompson Community Center, 236 Goldenrod Avenue.
• District 4A: The Venue, 201 George Wallace Drive.
• District 4B: Meadowbrook Baptist Church Family Life Center, 2525 Rainbow Drive.
• District 4C: Downtown Civic Center, 623 Broad Street.
• District 5A: Downtown Civic Center, 623 Broad Street.
• District 5B: The Tabernacle Church, 1301 South 11th Street.
• District 6A: Senior Wellness Center, 2829 West Meighan Boulevard.
• District 6B: Walnut Park Community Center, 3200 Walnut Street.
• District 7A: Senior Wellness Center, 2829 West Meighan Boulevard.
• District 7B: Kiwanis Pavilion, 1500 Noccalula Road.

Voters should use the location assigned to their voting box and district.

Photo Identification Requirements

Voters should bring an approved form of photo identification to the polls.

Accepted identification includes an Alabama driver’s license or nondriver identification card that is valid or expired by less than 60 days. Other accepted forms include an Alabama photo voter ID card, passport, military or tribal identification, qualifying government employee identification, and certain college or university identification cards.

Registered voters who do not possess an approved identification may qualify for a free Alabama photo voter ID card.

A voter without identification may cast a provisional ballot. Alabama law also allows a voter to cast a regular ballot without presenting identification when two election officials positively identify the person as an eligible voter and sign the required affidavit.

Absentee Voting Deadlines

Qualified voters may obtain the city’s municipal absentee-ballot application online or through the City Clerk’s Office.

The clerk’s office is in Room 401 on the fourth floor of Gadsden City Hall, 90 Broad Street. Absentee-voting questions may be directed to 256-549-4517.

The absentee deadlines are:

• August 18: Last day for the City Clerk to receive a regular absentee application by mail.
• August 20: Last day to apply for a regular absentee ballot in person.
• August 24: Deadline for qualifying nonmedical emergency applications and for hand delivery of regular absentee ballots.
• Noon August 25: Deadline for mailed absentee ballots and qualifying medical-emergency ballots to be received.

Reasons for voting absentee can include being outside the county on Election Day, illness or physical disability, a qualifying 10-hour work shift, attendance at a college outside the voter’s home county, military service, certain caregiving responsibilities, or service as an election official away from the voter’s regular polling place.

Except for limited legal exemptions, voters must include a copy of valid photo identification with an absentee application. Only the voter may sign and deliver the application, except in qualifying medical emergencies.

After marking an absentee ballot, the voter must complete the accompanying affidavit. The affidavit must be notarized or signed by two witnesses who are at least 18 years old for the ballot to be counted.

Additional election information, sample ballots, forms, and deadline updates are available through the City of Gadsden’s election page.

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