2022 Alabama Secretary of State election
November 8, 2022
Turnout38.5% Decrease
 
Nominee Wes Allen Pamela Laffitte
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 925,267 436,862
Percentage 65.9% 31.1%
Allen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Laffitte:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
     No data
Tie:     50%
Secretary of State before election

John Merrill
Republican

 Elected Secretary of State

Wes Allen
Republican

The 2022 Alabama Secretary of State election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the next secretary of state of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Secretary of State John Merrill was term-limited and could not run for a third term.

The Republican primary for this race was held on May 24, 2022. No candidate reached the threshold of 50 percent plus one vote, so an ensuing runoff to decide the nominee was held on June 21, 2022. Although outgoing State Auditor Jim Zeigler won the first round, state representative Wes Allen won the runoff and thus the Republican Party nomination. Allen defeated Democrat Pamela J. Laffitte and Libertarian Matt Shelby in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in runoff

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Wes Allen
Individuals
  • Christian Horn, activist and former candidate for this position, eliminated in primary[8]
Organizations
  • Alabama Association of Realtors[9]
  • Alabama Citizens for Life[10]
  • Alabama Farmers Federation[11]
  • Alabama Forestry Association[12]
  • Coastal 150[13]
  • Manufacture Alabama[14]
PACs
  • Alabama Realtors Political Action Committee[15]
  • Alabama RetailPAC[16]
  • ProgressPAC[17]
Jim Zeigler
Individuals
Organizations
Ed Packard (eliminated)
Individuals

Debates and forums

The Butler County Republican Party organization held a GOP candidates forum on February 28, 2022 at the Wendell Mitchell Conference Center on the campus of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Greenville. The forum was attended by candidates Allen and Packard. It also hosted candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, and the Alabama Supreme Court.[26]

League of Women Voters hosted a forum for the candidates in the race on April 26, 2022 at the Farley Auditorium located inside the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. Candidates Chris Horn and Ed Packard were present; Wes Allen declined due to scheduling conflict and Jim Zeigler fell ill the morning of the forum.[27]

According to Alabama Political Reporter,

When asked about ensuring access for certain marginalized groups such as the disabled, homeless and out-of-area college students, Horn said he knows what it is like to be a marginalized group as a Black man and formerly being paralyzed from the neck down.

“So the first thing is the Secretary of State must not be bureaucratic, but they must lead from the heart,” Horn said. “They must have a heart to hear the concerns of those people, my people and those communities that I’ve been a part of, and certainly be able to listen to the organizations that represent their interests and have an open door— but it's a heart-based leadership.”

Packard also said he would want to work with marginalized groups, adding that he has already been working with the National Federation of the Blind.

“I’ve been working with the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program over at the University of Alabama to work on legislation to make voting for people with disabilities easier,” Packard said. “And what I have put out ever since I got involved in this race back in December, is that we should allow those individuals who are disabled to vote the same way we allow overseas, military and US citizens to vote and that is electronically from the comfort of their home.”

However, both candidates stated their opposition to early voting and no-excuse absentee voting.[27]

All four candidates were present at a debate hosted by Eagle Forum of Alabama at the O'Neal Public Library in Mountain Brook.[28]

All four candidates were present at the Doster Center in Prattville for a candidates forum hosted by the Autauga County Republican Executive Committee.[29]

Candidates Allen and Zeigler squared off in a debate at the Gardendale Civic Center just more than a week ahead of the Republican Primary Runoff on June 13, 2022. The debate was cosponsored by WYDE-FM and 1819 News.[30]

2022 Alabama Republican Secretary of State primary debates and forums
No. Date Location Host Moderator Link Participants
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee E  Eliminated   W  Withdrawn
Allen Horn Packard Zeigler
1[26] Feb 28, 2022 Greenville Butler County Republican Party N/A N/A P A P A
2[27] Apr 27, 2022 Montgomery League of Women Voters N/A N/A A P P A
3[28] May 9, 2022 Mountain Brook Eagle Forum of Alabama N/A Facebook P P P P
4[29] May 11, 2022 Prattville Autauga County Republican Party N/A N/A P P P P
5[30] June 13, 2022 Gardendale WYDE-FM Scott Beason
Becky Garretson		 Facebook P E E P

First round

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Wes
Allen		 Christian
Horn		 Ed
Packard		 Jim
Zeigler		 Undecided
Emerson College May 15–16, 2022 706 (LV) ± 3.6% 14% 4% 2% 20% 60%
Cygnal (R) May 6–7, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 14% 3% 4% 20% 59%
Wisemen Consulting (R) March 15–17, 2022 905 (LV) ± 3.4% 11% 3% 3% 36% 47%
McLaughlin & Associates (R)[upper-alpha 1] March 10–13, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 13% 2% 1% 26% 57%

Results

GOP Primary first round results by county
  Allen
  •   40–50%
      50–60%
      60–70%
      80–90%
  Zeigler
  •   40–50%
      50–60%
Republican primary results[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Zeigler 237,482 42.7%
Republican Wes Allen 220,880 39.7%
Republican Christian Horn 54,572 9.8%
Republican Ed Packard 43,486 7.8%
Total votes 556,420 100.0%

Runoff

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Wes
Allen		 Jim
Zeigler		 Undecided
McLaughlin & Associates (R)[upper-alpha 1] June 13–16, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 30% 38% 32%
McLaughlin & Associates (R)[upper-alpha 1] June 6–9, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 28% 34% 37%

Results

GOP Primary runoff results by county
  Allen
  •   50–60%
      60–70%
      80–90%
      90–100%
  Zeigler
  •   50–60%
Republican primary runoff results[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wes Allen 248,132 65.4%
Republican Jim Zeigler 131,413 34.6%
Total votes 379,545 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Endorsements

Pamela J. Laffitte
Organizations
  • Alabama New South Alliance[34]

Libertarian nomination

No primary was held for the Libertarian Party, and candidates were instead nominated by the party.[35]

Nominee

  • Jason "Matt" Shelby, attorney[35]

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[36] Safe R December 1, 2021
Elections Daily[37] Safe R November 7, 2022

Endorsements

Wes Allen (R)
State officials
Individuals
  • Christian Horn, activist and former candidate for this position, eliminated in primary[8]
Organizations
  • Alabama Association of Realtors[15]
  • Alabama Citizens for Life[10]
  • Alabama Farmers Federation[11]
  • Alabama Forestry Association[12]
  • Coastal 150[13]
  • Manufacture Alabama[14]
PACs
  • Alabama Realtors Political Action Committee[15]
  • Alabama RetailPAC[16]
  • ProgressPAC[17]
Pamela J. Laffitte (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
  • Alabama New South Alliance[34]

Results

2022 Alabama Secretary of State election results[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Wes Allen 925,267 65.88% +4.86%
Democratic Pamela Laffitte 436,862 31.11% -7.81%
Libertarian Jason "Matt" Shelby 41611 2.96% N/A
Write-in 663 0.05% -0.01%
Total votes 1,404,403 100.00%

Notes

  1. 1 2 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. 1 2 3 Poll sponsored by ForestPAC

References

  1. ↑ "State Rep. Wes Allen announces run for secretary of state". Alabama Political Reporter. May 7, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ Cason, Mike (January 27, 2022). "State Auditor Jim Zeigler running for Alabama secretary of state". Advance Local. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  3. ↑ Burkhalter, Eddie (November 10, 2021). "Former Alabama House candidate indicates possible secretary of state bid". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  4. ↑ Poor, Jeff (November 9, 2021). "North Alabama GOP activist Chris Horn to announce Secretary of State bid". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Moseley, Brandon (January 29, 2022). "Candidate qualifying is over except for Congress". 1819 News. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  6. ↑ Smith, Dylan (February 24, 2022). "Republican activist Christian Horn launches Secretary of State candidacy". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  7. ↑ Mealins, Evan (December 28, 2021). "Auburn alum running for Alabama secretary of state". The Auburn Plainsman. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Yaffee, Michael (June 8, 2022). "Chris Horn endorses Wes Allen for Alabama Secretary of State". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  9. ↑ Smith, Dylan (May 11, 2022). "Alabama Association of Realtors announces primary election endorsements". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Glenn, John H. (May 13, 2022). "Alabama Citizens for Life endorse Wes Allen for secretary of state". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Helms, Jeff (September 28, 2021). "Alabama Farmers Federation announces 2022 endorsements". Alabama Farmers Federation. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Howe, Tim (July 13, 2021). "Wes Allen picks up key endorsement in Secretary of State race". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Coastal 150 announces statewide endorsements". Alabama Political Reporter. May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Smith, Dylan (February 23, 2022). "Secretary of State hopeful Wes Allen lands Manufacture Alabama endorsement". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 Smith, Dylan (June 13, 2022). "Alabama Association of Realtors announces runoff election endorsements". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Alabama RetailPAC announces endorsements". Alabama Political Reporter. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  17. 1 2 "BCA's ProgressPAC endorses Wes Allen for Alabama Secretary of State". Alabama Political Reporter. March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Erica (April 20, 2022). "'My Pillow Guy' Mike Lindell endorses Zeigler for Secretary of State". 1819 News. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  19. ↑ Odle, Dean (June 14, 2022). "Please join me in voting JIM ZEIGLER for SECRETARY OF STATE". Facebook. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  20. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (June 17, 2022). "Alabama Republican Assembly endorses Zeigler for Secretary of State". 1819 News. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  21. ↑ "America First SOS candidates". America First Secretary of State Coalition. n.d. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  22. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (May 23, 2022). "Christian Conservatives of Alabama endorse Tim James and Mo Brooks". 1819 News. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  23. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (March 7, 2022). "Common Sense Campaign endorses Zeigler". 1819 News. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Alabama 2022 voter guide". Stand for Health Freedom. May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  25. 1 2 Flynt, J. Wayne; Johnson, Gerald W. (March 23, 2022). "Auburn's Flynt, Johnson endorse Packard". 1819 News. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  26. 1 2 Branum, Bruce (March 2, 2022). "GOP candidates visit Greenville". The Greenville Standard. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  27. 1 2 3 Holmes, Jacob (April 27, 2022). "Packard, Horn answer questions at League of Women Voters Forum". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  28. 1 2 Blakely, Will (May 10, 2022). "VIDEO: Secretary of State candidates meet in forum, talk election integrity". 1819 News. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  29. 1 2 "Autauga County Republican Executive Committee Candidate Forum". Alabama Republican Party. May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  30. 1 2 Moseley, Brandon (June 14, 2022). "GOP Secretary of State candidates debate in Gardendale". 1819 News. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  31. ↑ "2022 Republican primary official results". Alabama Secretary of State. June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  32. ↑ "2022 Republican runoff official results". Alabama Secretary of State. July 6, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  33. ↑ Cason, Mike (January 29, 2022). "Alabama Republican candidates far outnumber Democrats as qualifying for May 24 primary wraps up". Advance Local. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  34. 1 2 "Pamela J. Laffitte for Secretary of State". Pamela J. Laffitte for Secretary of State. n.d. Endorsements. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  35. 1 2 Moseley, Brandon (May 24, 2022). "Libertarians gain ballot access". 1819 News. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  36. ↑ Jacobson, Louis (December 1, 2021). "Secretary of state races: More important than ever in 2022, and more complicated, too". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  37. ↑ Solomon, Zack (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Secretary of State Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  38. ↑ Smith, Dylan (June 22, 2022). "Wes Allen defeats Jim Zeigler in Alabama Secretary of State runoff election". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  39. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (August 10, 2022). "AFL-CIO endorses Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians". 1819 News. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Canvass of Results - General Election - November 8, 2022" (PDF). Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
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