TUSCALOOSA, AL — Voters in Tuscaloosa's District 5 will have an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking to represent them on the Tuscaloosa City Council during a town hall and community forum scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16.
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The event, organized by the Theta Alpha Lambda and Kappa Alpha chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in partnership with the University of Alabama Democrats, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Greek Assembly Hall on the University of Alabama campus.
Organizers say the forum is intended to give residents an opportunity to ask questions, engage with candidates and learn more about their positions on issues affecting District 5.
The five candidates invited to the event are Bo Hicks, Al Sommerville III, Erica Grant, Joe Cameron and Thomas Sahm.
It is unclear at this time which candidates have committed to participating in the forum.
The event is being promoted under the theme "Ask. Engage. Listen. Connect." Organizers are encouraging residents to attend with questions for the candidates.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity emphasized that it is a nonpartisan organization and does not officially or publicly endorse candidates.
As Patch previously reported, all five candidates officially qualified for the special election, which was called following the death of longtime Council President Kip Tyner on Sept. 18.
Tyner had represented District 5 since 1997 and was serving his seventh consecutive term on the council.
The district includes Alberta and portions of east Tuscaloosa.
The special election will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, with polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Alberta Baptist Church, located at 2210 University Boulevard East.
Absentee voting began Nov. 3 through the Tuscaloosa City Clerk's Office, with the deadline to apply for a regular absentee ballot set for Thursday, Dec. 3.
If needed, a runoff will be held on Jan. 5, 2027.
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