By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS | August 2025 Edition
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama voters will head to the polls on August 26 for municipal elections across the state, and this cycle is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in state history.
Under state law, municipal candidates are currently filing weekly campaign finance reports, though beginning August 18 the reporting requirement switches to daily filings. The change, adopted under House Bill 156 last year, also eased reporting obligations for candidates who raise or spend less than $1,000, exempting them from state filing requirements.
Big Money in the Big 10 Cities
The highest-spending municipal contests are concentrated in Alabama’s largest cities — Hoover, Mobile, and Birmingham.
Top Five Fundraisers (City Council races, with opposition):
- Tanveer Patel — $109,417 (Hoover City Council, Place 1)
- Crystal Smitherman — $98,820 (Birmingham City Council, District 6)
- Clinton Woods — $79,298 (Birmingham City Council, District 1)
- Beau Fleming — $73,525 (Mobile City Council, District 5)
- Ben Reynolds — $72,472 (Mobile City Council, District 4)
Patel leads all council candidates statewide, raising $109,417 and spending more than $102,000 in pursuit of an open Hoover City Council seat.
In Birmingham, incumbent Councilwoman Crystal Smitherman has raised nearly $99,000 and spent about $78,000 in her race against challenger Keith O. Williams. Fellow Birmingham council candidate Clinton Woods has brought in just over $79,000, with about $46,500 already spent.
In Mobile, Beau Fleming has raised $73,525 in the contest for City Council Place 5, a seat being vacated by Joel Daves. Meanwhile, Ben Reynolds has collected $72,472 for his Place 4 race but has kept expenses low, spending only about $29,917.
Election Day Details
Municipal elections will take place on Tuesday, August 26. Alabama does not allow early voting, but voters who qualify for absentee ballots may cast their votes by mail or in person.
Absentee ballot deadlines:
- By mail: Applications due August 19
- In person: Applications due August 21
Secretary of State Wes Allen reminded voters that completed ballots must be returned on time to be counted.
