Both major parties miss deadlines for ballot in 2 counties

MARSHALL COUNTY, AL (WAFF) - Could candidates for some races in Marshall County be thrown off the ballot?

Officials are seeking out those answers after both the Democratic and Republican Party chairs there failed to meet a deadline to certify their candidates with the probate judge.

The parties were supposed to get the certified list of candidates to the probate judge by noon last Wednesday. That has officials in the probate judge's office seeking answers from the Secretary of State on what to do.

The Marshall County Democratic Party returned their list of candidates to the probate judge two days late - this past Friday.

Officials with the probate judge's office say the Republican Party turned in their list Monday afternoon.

In Marshall County, races for sheriff, county commission districts one and four, coroner, and revenue commissioner are all at stake.

So with a missed deadline, what does it all mean?

Marshall County Probate Judge Tim Mitchell they're looking to the Secretary of State, who heads elections, for guidance.

"We still have several days before we have to start ordering ballots," Mitchell said. "I think we have to have ballots in the circuit clerk's office by September 20, I think. So we still have a few days to figure out what is supposed to happen or what's going to happen."

Jackson County Probate Judge Victor Manning said both parties in that county missed the deadline as well.

Officials from the Secretary of State's office said there is no actual penalty for missing the deadline, but it is now up to the probate judges involved to decide if they want to accept the candidates.

Mitchell said that in his opinion, if the voters voted for the candidates, their names should end up on the ballot.

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