Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  South Baldwin voters will head to the polls on Tuesday for Alabama’s 2026 primary election. The ballot will look familiar in some ways and very different in others. A late court decision on redistricting has changed the timeline for several congressional races. Local officials say voters should still show up to vote in all the other important races, including the governor's race and other state and county races.

The regular primary is set for Tuesday, May 19, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Alabama’s regular primary runoff, if needed, is scheduled for June 16. The general election remains on the calendar for Nov. 3. These dates apply statewide, including Baldwin County.

The May 19 primary will decide most statewide, legislative, judicial and local races. However, party primaries for the U.S. House in Alabama’s 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th Congressional Districts have been moved. Those contests will now be decided in a special primary on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Gov. Kay Ivey ordered the special primary after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama to use its 2023 congressional map. The court vacated lower-court rulings on the state’s redistricting cases. Ivey’s office says the special primary applies only to the four affected districts, and there will be no runoff in those races.

The change does not cancel Tuesday’s election. Ivey has urged voters to still go to the polls on May 19 to vote in all other races. Secretary of State Wes Allen has also tried to reduce confusion. He has said that votes cast Tuesday in the affected congressional races will be counted and released to the public.

Click here to download a Republican Sample Ballot. Click here to download a Democrat Sample Ballot. 

Those May 19 vote totals, however, will not be used to pick party nominees in those four districts. Instead, nominees will be chosen in the Aug. 11 special primary. For South Baldwin residents, that means congressional races are on a different schedule than other contests this year. Other races on Tuesday will follow the normal primary and runoff process.

South Baldwin voters will again cast ballots at familiar polling sites. Orange Beach residents will vote at the Orange Beach Event Center on Wharf Parkway West. Gulf Shores voters have two polling locations, the Gulf Shores Cultural Center on Oak Road West and the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center on West 2nd Street. Foley voters use the Foley Civic Center on East Laurel Avenue and the Foley United Methodist Church on North Pine Street.

Baldwin County officials have added new precincts in recent years to keep pace with growth and reduce long lines. They urge voters to double-check their polling place before Tuesday. Voters can confirm their polling place on the county website or by contacting the Board of Registrars. 

Voters must present photo identification at the polls. Accepted IDs include an Alabama driver’s license, a state nondriver ID, a U.S. passport, a military ID, a tribal ID, a state or federal-issued ID, and a qualifying student or government employee ID. A free photo voter ID is available from the state for those who need one. Voters should bring ID even if poll workers know them.

Anyone who arrives without a photo ID is not automatically turned away. Under state rules, a voter may still cast a regular ballot if two election officials can confirm they are registered on the poll list. If that is not possible, the voter may cast a provisional ballot. The voter then has until 5 p.m. on the Friday after the election to present a valid photo ID to the county Board of Registrars.

Crossover voting rules will also shape the June 16 runoff. Voters who choose a Republican ballot in the primary may vote only in Republican runoffs. Those who choose a Democratic ballot must vote only in Democratic runoffs. Voters who sit out the primary may choose either party’s runoff ballot.

Voters statewide will also decide on 2 amendments. 

Amendment 1. This proposal would amend the Alabama Constitution to allow judges to deny bail for more violent crimes. It covers shooting into an occupied home or vehicle and any attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder. A “yes” vote would add those crimes to the no-bail list.

Statewide Amendment 2 addresses how district attorneys are paid. It would prohibit the state from cutting a district attorney’s salary during that person’s term in office. Supporters say it protects prosecutors’ independence. A “yes” vote would lock in their pay for each term.

Voters can check their registration status online at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/VoterView. It is important to make sure all information is current and accurate. The Alabama Secretary of State's official voter information site is www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes. Baldwin County voters can also find local resources at baldwincountyal.gov/government/board-of-registrars.

Election officials say the main message for South Baldwin is simple. Voters should confirm their polling place, bring a valid photo ID, and plan to vote between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They should also remember that only the U.S. House primaries in Districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 have been moved to Aug. 11. All other races remain on the usual primary schedule.