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Alabama

Flock Safety Critics Win Alabama Races

Several candidates who opposed Flock Safety camera contracts won November 2026 midterm elections across the state.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single utility pole with a small surveillance camera over an empty road, evoking concern over license-plate monitoring.
Voters in Alabama elected several candidates who opposed Flock Safety license-plate camera contracts in the November 2026 midterm elections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Candidates opposing Flock Safety's AI-powered license plate camera network won races in Alabama's November 2026 midterm elections. Several winners vowed to restrict, terminate, or ban Flock contracts.

Why it matters

The results signal growing voter concern over law enforcement use of license plate surveillance, data sharing, and individual tracking in Alabama. The issue could come to a head in the 2027 legislative session.

Flock Safety reduced its default data retention from 30 days to seven days, a change made after criticism of the system. Cities across Alabama began deploying the cameras in 2019, often with city council approval, and the full scope of future contract changes remains unsettled.

The players

Flock Safety

Flock Safety is a company that operates an AI-powered license plate camera network used by law enforcement agencies across the United States.

Tommy Tuberville

Tommy Tuberville is a former U.S. Senator who won the Alabama governorship in the 2026 election.

Ernie Yarbrough

Ernie Yarbrough is an Alabama State Representative who won re-election and has been a vocal critic of Flock Safety.

John Wahl

John Wahl is Alabama's Lieutenant Governor-elect who questioned the constitutionality of Flock data collection from private citizens.

Katherine Robertson

Katherine Robertson is Alabama's Attorney General-elect.

The details

Flock Safety operates an AI-powered license plate camera network that has drawn concern over misuse by law enforcement, tracking of individuals, and data sharing. Winning candidates included Governor-elect Tommy Tuberville's administration allies and Lee County Sheriff-elect Cam Hunt, who vowed to terminate the county's contract, along with Madison County Sheriff-elect Brett Jones, who does not plan to renew his county's contract.

Timeline

  1. 2019: Cities across Alabama began deploying Flock cameras.

  2. November 3, 2026: Midterm elections where Flock critics won races.

  3. 2027 legislative session: Flock Safety legislation is expected to be considered.

Political Context

Critics such as State Representative Ernie Yarbrough argue that Flock's license plate tracking abuses the Fourth Amendment and the Alabama Constitution. Former State Senator Sam Givhan, who lost his seat, said he did not believe the camera system violated the Constitution.

Alabama residents in cities using Flock cameras may see changes to how long license plate data is kept and who can access it. Voters should watch whether local sheriffs and city councils follow through on promised contract terminations or renewals.

The takeaway

Local elections can shape surveillance policy directly, as Alabama voters' choices on Flock Safety show. Residents who care about license plate data should track their county sheriff and city council decisions.

What happens next

The Flock Safety issue could come to a head in the 2027 legislative session.

Further reading

For more on how the races played out, explore Elections coverage across the state.

Source note: This article includes information reported by 1819 News.

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