ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Voters across coastal Alabama head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, for a special congressional primary that will shape representation for Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Alabama does not offer in-person early voting, which makes Tuesday the day.
Why There Is a Special Election at All
The Alabama Legislature redrew Congressional Districts 1 and 7 in May 2026, and the redraw triggered special elections in both. District 1 covers Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties. District 7 sits outside the South Alabama coverage area and takes in Washington, Clarke, Monroe and Conecuh counties.
Who Is on the District 1 Ballot
Four Republicans are competing for the party’s nomination in District 1: realtor Lucas Burger, former congressman Jerry Carl, retired military pilot John Mills and Fairhope businessman Austin Sidwell.
Democrat Clyde Jones is unopposed on the District 1 ballot, meaning Democratic voters will not see a contested congressional primary in this race.
District 7, For Those Just Outside the Area
In District 7, Ammie Akin faces David Perry in the Republican special primary. Democrat Terri Sewell is running unopposed.
What to Bring
Alabama requires a valid photo ID to cast a ballot. Voters unsure of their assigned polling place can look it up through the Alabama Secretary of State’s Alabama Votes website, and it is worth checking a sample ballot ahead of time to confirm exactly which races appear in a given precinct — redistricting means some voters are in a different district than they were two years ago.
Baldwin County Polling Locations by City
Orange Beach
- Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf — 4671 Wharf Parkway
- The Harriett Cockrell Center, Ono Island — 31692 Dolphin Drive
Gulf Shores
- Gulf Shores Meyer Civic Center — 1930 West 2nd Street
- Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 — 12105 State Highway 180 West
- Gulf Shores Cultural Center — 19470 Oak Road West
- St. Andrew by the Sea Church — 17263 Fort Morgan Road
- Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church — 308 East 22nd Avenue
Foley
- St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Church — 601 West Laurel Avenue
- Foley Civic Center — 407 East Laurel Avenue
- Foley United Methodist Church — 915 North Pine Street
- Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Foley Church — 18464 Underwood Road
- Daystar Church — 21170 Brinks Willis Road
Elberta
- Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Department — 8450 Escambia Avenue
- Elberta Civic Center — 25070 Pine Street
- Josephine Volunteer Fire Department — 6824 County Road 95
Lillian
- Lillian Community Club — 34148 Widell Avenue
A Reminder About Timing
Because this is a special primary held in the middle of August, turnout is typically far lower than in a general election cycle. In a district where the eventual Republican nominee is widely expected to be favored in November, a comparatively small number of ballots may effectively settle the seat. Voters who are traveling, working long shifts or juggling the first week of school should plan around the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. window rather than assuming a second chance later in the month.