House District 10 special election called by Gov. Kay Ivey

Gov. Kay Ivey Monday set an early spring special election to replace former House District 10 Rep. David Cole, R-Madison.

A special primary election will be held on Dec. 12, and the special primary runoff, if necessary, on Jan. 9, 2024. The general election will take place on March 26, 2024.

Cole resigned from his House seat on August 30 and pleaded guilty to a charge of knowingly voting at a polling place where he was not authorized to vote.

Rep. David Cole arrested on voter fraud charges

According to a plea agreement, Cole decided to run for the House District 10 seat in the summer of 2021. The seat was held by retiring Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison. But redistricting that year moved Cole’s home into House District 4, represented by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, an incumbent who was seeking his second term in the House.

The agreement said Cole contacted a friend, referred to as “H.S.,” and negotiated a $5-a-month lease at H.S.’s home in District 10. Cole later changed his voter registration to the address but only had mail sent there.

Ivey in a statement encouraged voters to “ensure you have a strong voice advocating for you in the Alabama Legislature.”

“Those in public office must be held accountable and to the highest standard,” the statement said.

Cole, 52, defeated Democratic nominee Marilyn Lands 52% to 45% in November’s election. Libertarian nominee Elijah Boyd got about 3% of the vote.

The deadline for qualifying with major political parties will be Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. The deadline for independent candidates and minor parties is Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.