Alabama Supreme Court extends plaintiffs’ briefing schedule in Tuberville residency suit

The Alabama Supreme Court on Thursday extended a briefing deadline for plaintiffs challenging Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for the office.

Briefs for the plaintiffs, who argued that Tuberville has not met residency requirements under the Alabama Constitution, were due Friday on an expedited schedule. Barry Ragsdale, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, has been in Tuscaloosa for an administrative hearing for three weeks for a different case, according to court filings. 

“While the undersigned anticipated being able to work on the appellants’ brief while also participating in the three-week hearing, the Administrative Law Judge’s rigorous schedule and the complex nature of the proceedings have prevented appellants’ counsel from working on and completing the brief by the current Aug. 7, 2026 deadline,” attorneys wrote on Tuesday. 

The brief is now due on Monday. According to the plaintiffs’ motion, Tuberville’s lawyers had no objection to the extension. 

Messages seeking comment from Ragsdale and Tuberville’s team were left on Thursday and Friday, respectively. 

The lawsuit made its way to the Alabama Supreme Court after a Montgomery County judge dismissed the case in July due to a lack of jurisdiction after an hourslong hearing, but not the merits. 

Plaintiffs allege that Tuberville does not meet the state’s residency requirements to run for governor, and echoes many accusations reported by Alabama media outlets. Tuberville maintains that he meets the seven-year residency requirement.