Alabama primary turnout unchanged from 2022, but Democratic-leaning counties see gains

Overall turnout for Tuesday’s primaries in Alabama was nearly unchanged from four years ago, but several large Democratic-leaning counties appeared to show more enthusiasm for the election than they did in 2022. 

The Alabama Secretary of State’s office Wednedsay morning reported a 23.11% voter turnout with 879,381 ballots cast. In 2022, the state saw a 23.4% for the primary election with 851,684 ballots cast.

Voter participation rates capture ballots cast for both major parties. But several blue-leaning counties saw an uptick in voter turnout. In Jefferson County, the Alabama Secretary of State reported a 26.58% voter turnout and 130,648 ballots cast. That was up from 22.35% in voter turnout and the 107,890 ballots cast in 2022.

Montgomery County went from a 20.78% voter turnout in 2022 to a 30.48% voter turnout during this year’s election.

Several rural Democratic voters also showed up more for this year’s primary. Greene County in the western Black Belt, which usually reports some of the highest voter participation rates in the state, saw turnout increase from 44.5% in 2022 to 50.7% on Tuesday. 

Barbour County’s participation rose from 23.72% in 2022 to 24.47% this year. 

In contrast to 2022, when many Democratic statewide candidates were unknowns and newcomers to politics, the party had a prominent gubernatorial candidate in former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones. The national environment is also expected to favor Democrats in the fall elections.

Tabitha Isner, vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party and a candidate for state Senate, said in an interview Wednesday the turnout is more than likely motivated by different factors, including the Legislature meeting in special session earlier this month to approve special primary elections in four congressional districts. State officials are trying to revert to a 2023 congressional federal courts previously ruled to be racially discriminatory. The session drew protests, and thousands of people attended rallies against the action in Selma and Montgomery on Saturday.

“This may be a perfect storm for the Democratic Party in Alabama,” she said. “We have good candidates on the ballot, that the GOP reminded Democratic voters that the GOP would erase Democrats from Alabama’s political landscape completely if they could. Those factors combined in a way that created some electoral magic.”

Several Republican-leaning counties reported turnout declines compared to 2022. 

Baldwin County’s turnout dropped from 20.68% in 2022 to 19.23% on Tuesday. Cullman County went from a 28.69% voter turnout two years ago to 25.10% voter turnout this year. Shelby County’s voter turnout was 21.90% for Tuesday, a decrease from the 23.72% voter turnout in 2022.

A message seeking comment was left with the Alabama State Republican Party Wednesday.

Alabama usually reports low turnout for midterm primaries. Voter participation for a midterm primary has not exceeded 40% since 1994.