NORTHEAST ALABAMA– Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has formally certified Jesse Battles as an independent candidate for Alabama State Senate District 10 in the November 3 general election.

Allen issued the official certification in an August 26 letter to Battles following a review of his ballot-access petition by the Secretary of State’s Elections Division.

The letter confirms that Senate District 10 required 1,142 valid petition signatures for an independent candidate to qualify for the 2026 general election ballot.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Elections Division staff reviewed the signatures Battles submitted. After that review and additional confirmation from the Alabama Ethics Commission, Allen certified Battles as an independent candidate.

Secretary of State Confirms Certification

Alabama’s independent-candidate ballot access requirements use a formula established under state law.

For district offices, an independent candidate must collect valid signatures equal to at least 3% of the qualified electors who voted for governor in the last general election within the political jurisdiction involved.

The Secretary of State’s Office determines the specific requirement for state legislative districts. Allen’s August 26 certification letter places the Senate District 10 requirement at 1,142 valid signatures.

The state’s official certification of independent candidates for the November general election also lists Battles as the independent candidate for Alabama State Senate District 10.

The certification follows a petition effort Battles launched earlier this year to secure a place on the general election ballot.

WEIS News reported in June that Battles had cleared the ballot-access process after submitting petitions gathered from voters across Northeast Alabama. The August 26 action represents the Secretary of State’s formal certification of his candidacy.

Battles Announces Certification

Battles announced the certification in a statement following the state’s decision.

“I’m proud to announce that the Alabama Secretary of State has officially certified our signatures, and my name will appear on the November 3rd ballot as an Independent,” Battles said.

He also thanked those who assisted with the petition campaign.

“Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. We could not have accomplished this without you!” Battles said.

The remainder of Battles’ statement addressed the political campaign and encouraged voters to support his candidacy in November.

With the certification complete, Battles will appear on the November 3 general election ballot for Alabama State Senate District 10.

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