Video: Birmingham 2011 mayoral election preview
Photo: Ginny (CC)
For Birmingham residents, polls are now open in the mayoral election. They close at 7 tonight.
A change in the law will synchronize mayor and city council races in 2013, forcing a one-time 2-year term for the winning candidate.
Check back tonight for election results on Magic City Post.
2011 Birmingham mayoral candidates, from left: Kamau Afrika, Patricia Bell,
William Bell, T.C. Cannon and Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner Jr.
Six candidates are on the ballot for the Aug. 23 election for mayor of Birmingham. The winner will serve a 2-year term, as the 2013 election cycle will reflect having mayoral and city council candidates running for concurrent 4-year terms.
All of the candidates have run for office before, and five of the six have run for mayor in past contests.
• Kamau Afrika, an activist and chief executive officer of 5 Points Global Sustainable Systems. Previously, he ran for Jefferson County Commission in 2008, placing fifth out of six candidates. Campaign website
• Patricia Bell, a former preschool teacher who plans to open an early learning center. Previously, she ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1995 and 1999. Twitter profile @betterbirmingha
• William Bell, incumbent, former city council and Jefferson County Commission member. Previously, he won the special runoff mayoral election in 2010. Campaign website
• T.C. Cannon, a retired bar owner. Previously, he ran for mayor in 2009, placing 10th out of 14 candidates.
• Willis H. “Mickey Mouse” Buddy Hendrix, former attorney. Previously, he ran for mayor in 2007, placing 10th out of 10 candidates.
• Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner Jr., postal worker, evangelist, roller-skating teacher and former clown. Previously, he ran for mayor in 2009, placing eighth out of 14 candidates.
Also:
Damage from the April 27 tornadoes has forced several location changes for polling places around Birmingham.
The following list shows the 10 old and new locations for the mayoral election on Aug. 23.
•
| Previous location |
New location |
| Charles A. Brown 4811 Court J |
Central Park Elementary School 4915 Ave. Q |
| Bethel Baptist Church 1708 Spencer Ave. |
Daniel Payne Middle School 1500 Daniel Payne Blvd. |
| Jefferson State Community College 2601 Carson Road |
Hilldale Baptist Church 533 Sunhill Road, Center Point |
| Mountain Park First Baptist Church 4360 44th Ave. N. |
Inglenook Elementary School 4120 Inglenook St. |
| South Elyton Baptist Church 100 First Ave. S. |
Memorial Park Recreation Center 524 Sixth Ave. S. |
| Gate City Elementary School 6910 Georgia Road |
Oliver Elementary School 6871 Sixth Ct. S. |
| Parkway Christian Academy 973 Huffman Road |
Our Lady of Lourdes Family Life Center, 980 Huffman Road |
| Wenonah Elementary School 3008 Wilson Road |
Wenonah High School 2800 Wilson Road |
| Lee Elementary School 630 18th St. SW |
West End Academy 1840 Pearson Ave. |
| Carrie A. Tuggle Elementary School 412 12th Court N. |
Wilkerson Middle School 116 11th Ct. W. |
•
Below is a complete list of polling places.
Click “View on SlideShare” to download the PDF.
Residents can vote if registered by Aug. 12. For voter registration information, call the Jefferson County Board of Registrars at (205) 325-5550 or visit the website. For election information, call the Birmingham city clerk’s office at (205) 254-2290.
