SYLACAUGA, Ala. — If you’re contemplating a run for the office of Mayor of Sylacauga or one of the five City Council positions in late August, be nice to people whose first names are James, William, Michael, and Mary and last names are Smith, Wilson, Williams, and Brown. These are the most popular names in the city’s current list of registered voters. Collectively, these folks comprise 10.2% of the active voter list.
In Childersburg, be good to every James, David, Michael, and William and the family names Garrett, Smith, Jones, and Marbury. In Oak Grove, stay friends with Williams, Roberts, Marys, and Michaels and the Hare, Wood, Sims, and Wilson families.
As of today, based on Secretary of State records, there are 8,553 active registered voters in Sylacauga.
- 798 (9%) are under age 25.
- 2,053 (24%) are age 25-39.
- 2,613 (31%) are 40-59.
- 2,550 (30%) are 60-79.
- 539 (6%) are over 80.
Females make up 57% of the total, while 43% are males, so be especially nice to women as they can or will ultimately control the outcome.
Historically, voter turnout in local elections has been low, sometimes dipping below 20-30% in smaller cities. That means less than around 2,000 people could make the decisions for Sylacauga.
Key calendar dates:
- June 10: The Mayor must give notice of the upcoming election on Aug. 26. Candidates may begin qualifying at city hall as soon as the notice is published.
- June 24: Last day, by 5:00 p.m., to qualify to run for municipal office.
- July 27: Last day to establish residency to vote.
- Aug. 11: Last day to register to vote.
- Aug. 26: Election day.
- Sept. 23: Runoffs, if necessary.
