Mobile Democrats Rally at ‘GOTV Blue Jamboree’ Downtown, Urging Supporters to Turn Enthusiasm Into Votes Tuesday
Mobile County Democrats gathered downtown Sunday for a GOTV Blue Jamboree with music, food and a final appeal to voters before polls open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
MOBILE, Ala. — With Election Day two days away, Mobile County Democrats gathered downtown Sunday night, Nov. 1, for one last push, using music, food and speeches to urge supporters to turn their enthusiasm into ballots on Tuesday.
The GOTV Blue Jamboree, hosted by Mobile Democratic legislators, drew candidates, elected officials and residents to what organizers framed as a final organizing effort before polls open across Alabama.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Candidates cite enthusiasm
Joan Friedlander, the Democratic candidate for Alabama House District 101, said she believes the energy is there.
“We’re gonna have a tremendous blue wave starting right here in the Gulf of Mexico,” Friedlander said. “We have all worked really hard and the energy feels exciting, and I think in Mobile, we’re gonna do it.” She faces Republican Chris Pringle on the ballot.
State Rep. Sam Jones, D-Mobile, who is running in House District 99 against Republican Charlie Watts, also predicted a stronger turnout.
“I’m extremely optimistic,” Jones said. “I think our voter turnout is definitely gonna be better. And I think it could be to a point where we’ll see historic changes.”
Those predictions run against recent political history in a state where Republicans hold every statewide office and large legislative majorities, and state Democrats themselves have acknowledged long odds even as they call this their best opportunity in years.
Turning interest into turnout
Candidates acknowledged that enthusiasm at a rally does not count unless people show up. Clyde Jones, the Democratic candidate in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, who is running against Republican Jerry Carl, pointed to low participation in this year’s primaries as the challenge.
“We have 3.8 million people registered to vote in Alabama, only 800,000 voted in the primary. Only 400,000 in the runoff,” he said. “One of the things we’ve done to engage voters that haven’t been engaged — just talking to people. Meeting people where they are at. To figure out what their issues are.”
Pamela Laffitte, the Democratic candidate for Mobile County sheriff, who is challenging Republican Sheriff Paul Burch, said she hears a call for change, including how public money is spent.
“Well, they want change,” Laffitte said. “To see that their sheriff’s office is actually patrolling their county with the taxpayer dollars and being good stewards of that money as well.”
Voters explain why they’re casting ballots
Residents at the event offered their own reasons for voting, most of them tied to the idea that a single ballot matters.
“It’s more important now [to vote] than I can ever remember in my lifetime,” Mobile resident Ben Sumrall said.
Taylor Sanders said people should see voting as a stake in what comes next.
“I think it’s very important people vote because this is determining your future,” Sanders said. “Your one vote can be the change on whether or not you get the stuff that you want, or the other people get the stuff they want.”
Jermaine Burrell, also of Mobile, said accountability drove his decision. Among the many issues on the ballot, he considers protecting democracy the most important.
“It was important for me to get out and vote because of everything that’s going in the country right now,” Burrell said. “I feel like leaders should be held accountable. I’m also voting for the next generation.”
Dianne Martin said there is also a personal satisfaction in taking part.
“It’s important for you personally to know that you had something to do with the outcome,” she said.
What’s on the ballot
Mobile County voters have a long ballot. It includes the race for governor between Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Tommy Tuberville, an open U.S. Senate seat between Democrat Everett Wess and Republican Barry Moore, statewide offices, judicial seats, legislative and school board races, four statewide constitutional amendments, a Mobile County local amendment and an $82 million county road, bridge and drainage bond question. Which legislative and school board races appear depends on where a voter lives.
Our Nov. 3 ballot guide for Mobile and Baldwin covers those races and questions in more detail.
What voters need to know
- Date and hours: Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Photo ID: Alabama law requires voters to bring a valid photo ID to the polls. The Alabama Secretary of State’s Office lists acceptable forms, including a valid Alabama photo voter ID card and valid employee IDs from government entities.
- Where to vote: Polling place information is available through the Secretary of State’s site at alabamavotes.gov.
Unofficial results are expected to begin coming in after polls close Tuesday night.
