Municipal Candidacy | City of Riverside

Candidacy Information

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Alabama elections in mayor-council municipalities are conducted pursuant to the general municipal election laws pertaining to mayor/council cities and towns. These laws are codified at Sections 11-46-20 through 11-46-74, Code of Alabama, 1975. Absentee ballot laws applicable to municipal elections are codified at Sections 17-11-1 through 17-11-19, Code of Alabama 1975. Numerous changes were made to Alabama’s election laws since the 2020 municipal elections. Due to Alabama Senate Bill 119 passed during the 2021 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey as Act Number 2021-157, municipal elections that were on the same cycle as presidential elections were postponed 12 months, adding one year to the terms of the elected officials in office at that time. The terms of those elected officials expires in 2025.

How Do I Qualify To Run For Office?

Qualification to run for municipal office begins at 8:00am on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 and ends at 5:00pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Candidates must complete a candidate packet in order to qualify. Candidate packets may be picked up at City Hall during business hours beginning June 10th.

DECIDING TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

Before making the decision to run for office, potential candidates should recognize that they have dedicated themselves to accomplishing the common goal of providing the city with the best leadership possible and understand that the primary factor in the City's success lies in the working relationship between the mayor and the city council to best represent the citizens of the municipality. Candidates should also understand the structure of municipal governments in Alabama, the limitations and restrictions on municipal power, and the extent of the authority a municipality may exercise.
A Councilmember, in cooperation with other councilmembers, is granted legislative powers to determine the policies that will be followed in the administration to determine the extent of the governmental and corporate functions of the City.
The Mayor is tasked with properly administering the ordinances passed by the Council, and is charged with the general supervision of municipal departments, programs, and facilities.
Elected officials shall make themselves available to residents as needed. All elected officials are required to attend at least 2 monthly council meetings, complete 5 to 10 hours of training per year in core curriculum classes offered by the Alabama League of Municipalities(ALM), and attend overnight conferences as needed.
Potential candidates should familiarize themselves with the various reporting and other requirements of the Alabama Ethics Commission, the Fair Campaign Practices Act, and the State.
Useful documents and links for candidates for public office are included below.