05/11/2026
Voter Education and Empowerment
The offices on the ballot in Alabama.
Federal Offices
U.S. SENATOR. Federal
Requirements: At least 30 years old; U.S. citizen for 9+ years; Alabama resident.
Responsibilities: Represents all of Alabama in the U.S. Senate. Votes on federal laws, confirms presidential nominees (judges, cabinet members), approves treaties, and controls federal spending. 6-year term.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE Federal
Requirements: At least 25 years old; U.S. citizen for 7+ years; lives in Alabama.
Responsibilities: Represents a specific congressional district in the U.S. House. Sponsors and votes on federal legislation, controls the federal budget process, and serves on House committees. 2-year term.
Alabama Statewide Executive Offices
GOVERNOR.
Requirements: U.S. citizen; Alabama resident for 7+ years; at least 30 years old.
Responsibilities: Alabama's chief executive. Signs or vetoes legislation, manages the state budget, commands the National Guard, appoints agency heads and judges, and leads emergency response. 4-year term.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. State
Requirements: Same requirements as Governor.
Responsibilities: Becomes Governor if the Governor cannot serve. Presides over the Alabama Senate, casts tie-breaking votes, and leads policy advisory councils. 4-year term.
ATTORNEY GENERAL. State
Requirements: Licensed attorney; Alabama resident; at least 25 years old.
Responsibilities: Alabama's chief legal officer. Represents the state in court, enforces consumer protection and civil rights laws, issues legal opinions to state agencies, and leads law enforcement coordination. 4-year term.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Requirements: U.S. citizen; Alabama resident; at least 25 years old.
Responsibilities: Oversees Alabama elections, certifies results, maintains official state records, and registers businesses. Primary authority on voting rights and civic registration in the state. 4-year term.
STATE TREASURER
Requirements: U.S. citizen; Alabama resident; at least 25 years old.
Responsibilities: Manages Alabama's finances, investments, and debt. Oversees state banking relationships, administers unclaimed property programs, and ensures funds are available for state operations. 4-year term.
Alabama voters elect more statewide offices than most states.
Alabama State Offices
STATE AUDITOR
Requirements: U.S. citizen; Alabama resident; at least 25 years old.
Responsibilities: Conducts independent audits of state agencies to ensure taxpayer funds are spent lawfully. Reports findings to the legislature and the public, and investigates financial waste, fraud, or abuse. 4-year term.
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRIES State
Requirements: U.S. citizen; Alabama resident; at least 25 years old.
Responsibilities: Oversees Alabama's agricultural programs, food safety inspections, weights and measures enforcement, and supports business and industrial development. Advocates for farmers and rural communities. 4-year term.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION State
Requirements: Alabama resident of the district; at least 25 years old.
Responsibilities: Alabama has 3 elected commissioners (President and 2 members). They regulate electric, gas, telephone, and water companies — setting rates, approving service changes, and protecting consumers. 6-year staggered terms.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
Requirements: U.S. citizen; Alabama resident; at least 21 years old; district resident for at least 1 year.
Responsibilities: Represents a local house district in the Alabama Legislature. Introduces and votes on state laws, approves the state budget, and serves as a direct link between constituents and state government. 4-year term.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Requirements: U.S. citizen; resident of the county commission district; at least 18 years old.
Responsibilities: Governs county operations including roads, bridges, public property, and the county budget. Commissioners set local tax rates (within state limits), oversee county employees, and make decisions on land use and public services. 4-year term.
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Requirements: U.S. citizen; resident of the school board district; at least 18 years old.
Responsibilities: Oversees the local public school system. Sets education policy, approves the school budget, hires and evaluates the superintendent, and ensures schools meet state and federal standards. Board members represent their district's families and students. 4-year term.
If you know, now you know.
