Experts expect voter turnout to be low for the December 8
th special election. Just days after Thanksgiving and a couple weeks before Christmas will
Birmingham residents show up to vote.
“Since its going to be a special election in December around Christmas time there will be a lot of people forget about it,” says Larry Powell with UAB.
Historically voter turnout is low for special elections, but if there is a charismatic candidate there could be more of a voter presence.
“Some candidates will generate more interest than others,” says Powell.
Powell says the candidate that is backed by the biggest organization will most likely win because of the short campaign time.
“Its going to be somebody who has a built in organization and can raise money in a hurry,” says Powell.
“Obviously with a special election its going to boil down to certain candidates getting their prospective voters to the polls,” agrees Barry Stephenson with the Jefferson County Board of Registrars.
You may think this give Carole Smitherman a better shot but experts say, no.
“That interim label seems to turn people off she does not have an advantage,” says Powell.
But before you can vote you have to register. The deadline for registering in person is November 25th , that’s the day before Thanksgiving. The deadline for registering by mail is November 27th. You can pick up a registration form at all four courthouses, libraries and at Alabama vote dot gov.
