In Cullman County and across much of Alabama, the candidate choices are few and top-heavy on the ballot in this year’s Nov. 5 General Election. Outside of the race for the U.S. presidency and the chief justice’s spot on the Supreme Court of Alabama, all local and state races are unopposed and field only a single candidate — all of whom are Republicans.

In Cullman County, the long list of uncontested races includes single-candidate campaigns for circuit and district judge, circuit clerk, probate judge, three county commissioner’s seats, as well as the superintendent’s seat and a trio of member seats for the Cullman County Board of Education.

The presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, as well as the state Supreme Court race between Republican Sarah Stewart (who currently serves as an associate justice on the court) and Democrat Greg Griffin (who currently sits as judge in Montgomery County’s 15th Judicial Circuit) are the only contested races on local voters’ General Election ballots. Other presidential candidates also appearing on Alabama ballots include independents Robert F. Kennedy (who has endorsed Trump), Jill Stein, and Chase Oliver.

Two amendments — including one local measure to determine whether to impose a 15 percent tax on the sale of medical cannabis for use by the Cullman County District Attorney’s office “for mental health purposes” — also will appear on Cullman County voters’ ballots this November.

The text of the local amendment, which will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot as “Local Amendment 1” above a “yes” or “no” voting option, is as follows:

“Relating to Cullman County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to levy a 15 percent sales tax on the sales of lawfully sold medical cannabis products and would provide for the distribution of tax proceeds to the Office of the Cullman County District Attorney and for mental health purposes. (Proposed by Act 2023-255)”

A “yes” vote indicates that a voter wishes for the local medical cannabis tax to be imposed, and for its revenues to be allocated to the District Attorney’s Office. A “no” vote indicates that a voter opposes the proposed tax and/or its proposed distribution and use.

Voters also will be able to decide on “Statewide Amendment 1” (as it appears on Alabama ballots), a yes/no measure that affords to voters the decision of whether the Franklin County School board may take ownership of federally-donated “sixteenth section” school lands in Fayetteville and Walker Counties. The properties already are owned by the Franklin County School System; a majority ”yes” vote would afford the Franklin County Board of Education the right to sell or lease the property, as well as control any of its natural assets (such as forest and mineral rights) to produce revenues for the Board’s General Fund.

A sample ballot specific to Cullman County voters can be found online at the Alabama Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/sample-ballots/2024/gen/Cullman-Sample.pdf. The county school superintendent’s seat, as well as the county school board’s three open seats, will be reflected only on ballots only made available in precincts in which eligible voters reside.