Nine names make ballot, seven run unopposed in Hartselle 

Qualifying ended Tuesday for the Aug. 25 municipal election, and nine names will appear on the ballot, with more than one seat being challenged.  

All incumbents on the Hartselle City Council, except for Matthew Broom, qualified for reelection, and Randy Garrison qualified for a second term as mayor.  

Three council incumbents who have no opposition were issued a certificate of election and a resolution certifying they will automatically take office Nov. 2, according to city clerk Rita Lee. Those incumbents are: Kenny Thompson, place one; Dwight Tankersley, place two; and Charles “Chuck” Gill, place three.  

Virginia Alexander’s seat on the council is being challenged by Travis Smith, and Broom’s vacated seat at place five is being sought by Bryan Smith, Brandon McMurray and Ken Doss.  

Four candidates whose names will also be on the ballot next month are individuals seeking election to the Hartselle City Schools Board of Education.  

Those incumbent candidates who will automatically take office are: Randy Sparkman, place two; James L. Joy, place three; and Venita Jones, place five. Monty M. Vest is challenging Amy Pace for her seat in place one, and John S. Griffith is seeking election to the seat in place four held by Daxton Maze.  

The deadline to register to vote with the Morgan County Board of Registrars is Aug. 10, and absentee ballots for this election can be applied for and picked up at the city clerk’s office inside City Hall until Aug. 20.  

Signed applications must be sent to the city clerk by U.S. mail, one application per envelope, or may be delivered in person by the voter. 

The election will be held in voting centers at First Baptist Church and Sparkman Civic Center, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

If necessary, a run–off election will be held Oct. 6, and newly–elected officials will take office and begin their terms Nov. 3.