Polls open, votes being cast during the 2024 Primary | #elections | #alabama

Voters who headed to the polls had three options: a Republican Party ballot with a handful of local state races; a Democratic Party ballot with candidates for the democratic presidential nominee and no local races; or choose neither party and voting on the statewide amendment.

The statewide amendment is included on all ballots.

There were three local Republican Primary elections on the ballots today: Lee County Commissioner District 3, U.S. Representative for Alabama’s Congressional District 3 and Lee County District Judge Place 2. The race for Lee County Commissioner District 3 only appeared on ballots for residents in District 3. 

In Lee County, 18,999 voters casted a ballot in Tuesday’s primary election out of the 128,741 residents who were registered to vote, leading to a 14.76% voter turnout, according to Lee County and the Alabama Secretary of State website.

Craig Calhoun is a poll worker at the Church of the Highlands polling location in Auburn. The polling place was added in 2023 as one of the Lee County Commission’s polling place updates. Calhoun, who is retired, said that he has been a poll worker about half-a-dozen times, and has enjoyed it. As for working the polls today, he said he does not expect a large turnout. 

“It’s a primary it was supposed to have been raining all day, though I haven’t seen a drop yet. So you know, it’s a primary, you don’t expect a lot of turnout,” Calhoun said. “If I had to guess I would say there might be a little bit, as much of a rush as we may have, after five o’clock. On the other hand, it may be raining…I don’t think it’s gonna be too terribly busy at all.”

Even though it rained, that did not stop Smiths Station resident Vanessa Robinson from participating is this year’s primary. Robinson said that she believes voting is everyone’s civic duty and it is important for people to vote if they actually want to see change. 

“Don’t let anything hinder you from voting. If you need a ride, ask for a ride. There are services out there that will help with that. A little rain doesn’t stop anyone get a raincoat get an umbrella. I mean, just get out and vote is the best thing that you could do,” Robinson said. “Sometimes that one last vote does make a difference. So it’s important to vote.”

Alicia White, an Auburn resident, voted because it is her right as an American citizen.

“The laws that are passed and the candidates chosen can affect me in many adverse ways,” she said. “It’s important for my voice to be heard and to elect officials and pass laws that are truly for the people.”

For Gary Smith, a resident of Smiths Station, he believes voting in elections is his duty as a citizen and the basis of democracy. 

“It’s the basis of our democracy or our republic. And it’s sad, because you look at the percentage of people that do vote, and like it’s 20% or less. That sad,” Smith said. “As a private citizen, that’s the only, I believe, responsibility I have, is to try to research as best I can and vote for the people that I want in. That’s why I think it’s so important.”

Auburn resident David Pascoe believes that every vote counts. 

“It’s important that you vote so that the people’s will is found and discovered,” he said. 

Joel Mattocks is a project manager from Smiths Station and he left work a little early so he could vote as his polling place, Smiths Station Junior High School. For him, he said voting was about having the right people for the jobs in government.

“Getting the right people in that have your values and everything like that to set laws and make sure everything’s going the way you want it to go, the way you believe and value everything,” Mattock said. “If you don’t come out and vote, then how [do] you know you’re supporting people that had the same values you do and you know their supporting laws that are your values.”

Auburn resident DeAndria Bibb knows that it is her duty and personal privilege to vote. 

“I vote because, as a woman and a person of color, this was a right denied to my ancestors,” she said. “It is a way for me to have a voice in our democracy.” 

Click here for a breakdown of unofficial election results in Lee County.