Two Dale County offices to be decided March 3

When Dale County voters go to the election polls Tuesday, March 3, two local elected offices are on the Republican ballot.

The races to be decided are for the Dale County Commission District 2 and Dale County Commission Chairman seats. Both those positions are listed on the Republican ballot.

Incumbent Dale County Commission Chairman Mark Blankenship faces challenger Jeff Jordan for the commission chairmanship.

Incumbent Dale County Commission District 2 Commissioner Steve McKinnon faces challenger Donald O. Grantham.

The winner of this race will be decided in the March 3 primary election because neither incumbent faces a Democrat party opponent.

There is also a statewide constitutional amendment to be voted on March 3. Voters in both parties will decide whether to approve the Alabama Appointed Education Board Amendment.

A "yes" vote supports amending the Alabama Constitution to rename the State Board of Education as the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education and change the board from being elected by voters to being appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate.

Amendment 1 also authorizes the governor to “appoint a team of local educators and other officials to advice the commission on matters relating to the functioning duties of the State Department of Education.

Under the amendment, the commission will be tasked with adopting “course of study standards that ensure nationwide consistency and the seamless transfer of students from within and outside of the state, in lieu of common core.” The commission will also be tasked with adopting educator certification and professional development programs as well as assessment and accountability systems.

A "no" vote opposes amending the Alabama Constitution and the name of the State Board of Education will remain the same and continues to allow the citizens to elect state school board members.

Voters who do not want to vote in either the Republican or Democrat primaries May 3 may tell the election officials at the polls that they want to vote on just Amendment 1.

The election polling places in Dale County will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voters are reminded to have a photo identification with them.