Samantha, Alabama Public Records

The registration deadline is 15 days before any election. Alabama requires voters to provide their Alabama driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering. First-time voters who register by mail may need to provide additional identification when voting. Because the community is unincorporated and has no municipal government, there are no city elections for mayor or city council. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections. Tuscaloosa County elections include positions such as County Commission (seven districts), Sheriff, Revenue Commissioner, Probate Judge, Circuit Court Judges, District Court Judges, and Board of Education members. Voters can look up their assigned polling location by visiting https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/VoterView/PollingPlaceSearch.do and entering their address or by contacting the Board of Registrars. Polling places for western Tuscaloosa County communities like this one are typically located at community centers, fire stations, or school facilities in the area. Under Alabama law, numerous election records are public. Voter registration lists can be obtained from the Board of Registrars for a fee, though they cannot be used for commercial solicitation. Campaign finance reports for county and state candidates are filed with the Alabama Secretary of State and are searchable online at https://fcpa.alabamavotes.gov. Candidate qualifying information and precinct-level election results are public and posted by the Tuscaloosa County Board of Registrars after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Tuscaloosa County reported approximately 57% voter turnout with over 70,000 votes cast out of approximately 125,000 registered voters, reflecting strong engagement in federal elections. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Samantha and Tuscaloosa County voters will decide several important races. At the federal level, Alabama's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Tommy Tuberville is not up for election in 2026; however, one of Alabama's seven U.S. House seats (Tuscaloosa County is primarily in District 7) will be on the ballot. At the state level, Alabama holds gubernatorial elections in the same year as presidential elections (2022, 2026, 2030), so the Governor's race will be on the November 2026 ballot, along with other constitutional officers including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and State Auditor. All 105 Alabama House of Representatives seats and all 35 Alabama Senate seats will be contested. At the Tuscaloosa County level, depending on the election cycle, positions such as Tuscaloosa County Commission seats, Sheriff (elected to four-year terms), Revenue Commissioner, Probate Judge, and judicial positions may appear on the 2026 ballot, specific county races depend on term expiration schedules. Alabama offers absentee voting for voters who meet certain criteria, including those who will be absent from the county on election day, have a physical illness or infirmity, work required shifts that conflict with polling hours, are caregivers, or are over age 65. Absentee ballot applications can be obtained from the Tuscaloosa County Absentee Election Manager at 714 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (phone: 205-464-8366), or downloaded from https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/absentee-voting. Alabama does not offer universal mail-in voting or early voting; absentee voting requires meeting statutory criteria. Applications must be received by the Thursday before the election, and completed ballots must be received by noon on election day (postmarks are not sufficient). Photo ID is required when voting in person in Alabama, with acceptable forms including Alabama driver's license, state-issued ID, U.S. Passport, employee ID from the state or federal government, student ID from an Alabama college, or tribal ID.