Why It Matters
Alabama saw a notable shift in primary voting patterns during the May 19, 2026, midterm election, with Democratic turnout rising sharply across multiple counties while Republican participation fell from 2022 levels. The changes signal potential competitive dynamics heading into the November general election, particularly in counties where Democrats are targeting legislative gains.
What Happened
Republican ballots made up 57 percent of the May 19 primary vote, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. Just over 493,000 voters cast Republican ballots, down from 660,800 in the 2022 midterm primary when Republicans accounted for 78 percent of all votes.
Democratic primary participation increased significantly. Madison County saw Democratic ballots rise from 11,900 in 2022 to 35,100 this year. Mobile County went from nearly 13,000 Democratic ballots in 2022 to 33,800 in 2026. Tuscaloosa County recorded 15,400 Democratic ballots, up from just over 5,300 four years earlier.
Some Republican strongholds experienced sharp drops in GOP turnout. Limestone County fell from nearly 19,400 Republican ballots in 2022 to just over 11,000 this year. Colbert County declined from roughly 9,100 Republican votes in 2022 to just over 4,900 in 2026.
By the Numbers
Republican ballots cast statewide: 493,000 (57% of total)
Republican ballots in 2022: 660,800 (78% of total)
Madison County Democratic ballots: 35,100 (up from 11,900 in 2022)
Mobile County Democratic ballots: 33,800 (up from 13,000 in 2022)
Limestone County Republican ballots: 11,000 (down from 19,400 in 2022)
Zoom Out
The turnout patterns reflect broader national trends in midterm primaries, where the party out of power in the White House often sees increased base enthusiasm. Democrats fielded former U.S. Senator Doug Jones as their gubernatorial nominee this cycle, a higher-profile candidate than in 2022.
County-level Democratic chairs pointed to voter registration drives targeting younger voters and ongoing legal battles over congressional redistricting as factors driving turnout. Voting rights rallies in Selma and Montgomery drew thousands of participants in the days before the primary.
In Tuscaloosa and Mobile counties, more voters cast Democratic ballots than Republican ones. Baldwin County, a Republican stronghold, saw Democratic participation triple from 2,117 ballots in 2022 to 6,615 this year, though Republican ballots still totaled 32,646.
What’s Next
Alabama will hold primary runoff elections on June 16 for races where no candidate secured a majority. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11. State Republican Party leadership has urged voters to maintain turnout levels through the remaining election dates.
Democratic gains in Madison County, where the party is targeting state legislative seats, will be tested in the November general election. The county’s threefold increase in Democratic primary turnout positions it as a potential bellwether for statewide competitiveness.