FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Voters in Baldwin County will have a chance to meet candidates for federal, state and local offices face to face Tuesday evening, Sept. 29, at a “candi-dating” forum in Fairhope that borrows its format from speed dating.
The event will be held in the Christian Life Center at Fairhope United Methodist Church. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but space is limited and tickets are required in advance.
Event details
- What: “Candi-dating” candidate forum ahead of the Nov. 3 general election
- When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026; doors at 5:45 p.m., program at 6 p.m.
- Where: Christian Life Center, Fairhope United Methodist Church, Fairhope
- Cost: Free; advance tickets required because space is limited
- Sponsors: League of Women Voters of Baldwin County, Alabama Arise, Stand Up Mobile, NAMI Baldwin County and Mutual Aid Benevolent Association Bay Minette
How ‘candi-dating’ works
Instead of a traditional debate with candidates at podiums, the forum uses a round-table format. Voters will be seated at tables, and each candidate will rotate from table to table, speaking briefly with small groups of constituents in timed, fast-paced sessions.
The format is designed to give residents a more personal conversation with the people seeking their votes. Attendees can ask their own questions and hear candidates respond directly, rather than listening to prepared remarks from across a room. Because each round is timed, voters are likely to meet several candidates in a single evening.
Candidates confirmed to attend
Organizers said the following candidates have confirmed they will participate:
- U.S. Senate: Democratic nominee Everett Wess, who faces Republican U.S. Rep. Barry Moore
- U.S. House, Alabama’s 1st Congressional District: Democratic nominee Clyde Jones, who faces Republican Jerry Carl
- State Senate District 22: Democratic nominee Ashley Sharpe, who faces Republican Terry L. Waters
- State Senate District 32: Democratic nominee Janet Appleby, who faces incumbent Republican Sen. Chris Elliott
- State House District 96: Democratic nominee Terri Osborne and Republican nominee Danielle Duggar
- Alabama Public Service Commission, Place 1: Democratic nominee James O. Gordon, who faces Republican Matt Gentry
- State Senate District 33: Democratic Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, who is running unopposed
- Baldwin County Board of Education, District 6: Republican nominee Fred Hardman, who is running unopposed
The House District 96 race is the only contest on the list in which both major-party nominees have confirmed they will attend.
Karen McDermott of the League of Women Voters of Baldwin County said candidates on both the Republican and Democratic tickets were invited to take part.
Why these races matter
The forum covers a wide range of offices, from Washington to the local school board.
U.S. Senate: Alabama voters will choose a senator for a six-year term in Washington.
1st Congressional District: The district covers Alabama’s Gulf Coast, including Mobile and Baldwin counties. Its representative serves a two-year term in the U.S. House.
State Senate: Alabama’s 35 state senators serve four-year terms and vote on the state’s budgets, taxes and laws. Districts 22, 32 and 33 include parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties. Sen. Figures, who represents District 33 in Mobile, is the namesake, along with Barbara Drummond of Mobile, of Alabama’s updated Clean Indoor Air Act, which adds vaping to the state’s indoor smoking ban starting Oct. 1.
State House District 96: Members of the 105-seat Alabama House of Representatives also serve four-year terms.
Public Service Commission: The three-member Alabama Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned utilities, including electric and natural gas rates, making it one of the statewide offices with a direct effect on household bills.
Board of Education: The Baldwin County Board of Education oversees one of the largest and fastest-growing school systems in Alabama.
About the sponsors
The event is cosponsored by five organizations:
- League of Women Voters of Baldwin County: A local chapter of the nonpartisan national organization that encourages informed participation in government and does not support or oppose candidates or parties.
- Alabama Arise: A statewide nonprofit coalition that advocates for policies affecting low-income Alabamians.
- Stand Up Mobile: A Mobile-based community organizing group.
- NAMI Baldwin County: The local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which supports people affected by mental illness and their families.
- Mutual Aid Benevolent Association Bay Minette: A community organization based in north Baldwin County.
Before you vote
Alabama’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The deadline to register to vote in Alabama is 14 days before an election. Voters can check their registration status, find their polling place and view sample ballots through the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. Voters must bring an acceptable photo ID to the polls.
Residents who cannot attend Tuesday’s forum can learn about candidates through campaign websites, local news coverage and nonpartisan voter guides.