Alabama to Elect New Secretary of State November 3
Voters will choose between candidates Caroleene Dobson and Wayne Rogers in the 2026 general election.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Elections
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Alabama voters head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect a new Secretary of State. The contest features Republican candidate Caroleene Dobson and Democratic candidate Wayne Rogers.
Why it matters
The election is taking place because current Secretary of State Wes Allen is term-limited and ineligible for re-election. Voters will decide who takes over the responsibility of overseeing the state's election administration.
Polls across Alabama will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. central time on November 3, 2026. The last day for citizens to register to vote in this election was October 19, 2026.
The players
Caroleene Dobson
She is the Republican candidate for Secretary of State and a shareholder at the law firm Maynard Nexsen.
Wayne Rogers
He is the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State who previously chaired the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee.
Wes Allen
He is the current Alabama Secretary of State who is unable to run for re-election due to term limits.
The details
Republican candidate Caroleene Dobson is a shareholder at the firm Maynard Nexsen, while Democratic candidate Wayne Rogers previously served as the Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee. These candidates are vying to succeed Wes Allen in the statewide office.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Last day to register to vote.
November 3, 2026: Polls open in Alabama from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. central time.
Political Context
This election follows the pattern set by Alabama's term limit statutes, which require the incumbent to leave office after a set number of terms. Opposition parties in the state are focusing on the transition as an opportunity to shift the administrative priorities of the office.
This election determines the official who will oversee future election procedures and business filings across the state. Residents should prepare to head to their designated polling locations between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on election day.
The takeaway
Voters should confirm their assigned polling location before heading out on election day to ensure they can cast their ballot. Understanding the candidates' backgrounds helps residents make an informed decision regarding the future administration of state election protocols.
What happens next
The general election is scheduled to occur on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Find more information on the upcoming races in the Alabama Elections section.
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