Elections

Judge Yashiba Blanchard, Jefferson County Chief Election Official  

Fair and honest elections are the backbone of America. As Probate Judge and the Chief Election Official for Jefferson County, all elections in Jefferson County have been and will always be fair, transparent, secure, and conducted in an efficient manner.

Representatives from the political parties are included in all aspects of our election preparations. In Alabama, there are multiple elected officials and county, and state departments included in the election process. We work together as a team to provide the highest level of election services possible for the citizens of Jefferson County.

The Secretary of State is the Chief Election Official for the State of Alabama, and each Probate Judge is the Chief Election Official for their county. The Circuit Clerk, Jackie Anderson-Smith, in Birmingham, and the Deputy Circuit Clerk, Karen Dunn Burks, in Bessemer, are the Absentee Election Managers and are responsible for absentee ballots. Sheriff Mark Pettway is responsible for the delivery of election supplies and ballots, for ballot security, and for maintaining order in the precincts.

Together, the Probate Judge, the Circuit Clerk and the Sheriff make up the Jefferson County Election Commission. Each county also has a Board of Registrars which is responsible for maintaining voter lists and for voter registration.

On Election Day, personnel from General Services, managed by Chief of Elections, Keith Harris and Assistant Chief of Elections Jarod Eatmon, and Probate Court serve on a special team to provide Election Day support to poll workers. Our Election Coordinator/Director, Loretta Gaines-Erskine, assists with the management of election preparation for elections, supervises the training process for poll officials, assists with election planning, and election operations, while aiding the Chief Election Official with the execution of all elections. Also, a team of election professionals in the call center man the phones from 6:00 a.m. until after the polls are closed and returns are received.  The call center representatives address all questions, concerns and complaints made by precinct workers and the citizens of Jefferson County on election day.

In Jefferson County, the following individuals are members of our election team:

Our election commission begins meeting about six months prior to any election and meets every two weeks, and as frequently as needed, to make certain that every aspect of the election process has been thoroughly reviewed, planned, and modified if necessary. Both the Democratic and Republican party chairs are invited and generally attend each meeting.

The Alabama Probate Judges Association holds a multiple day comprehensive training conference at the Alabama Law Institute at the University of Alabama Law School prior to each election cycle. The participants in the Election Conference are Probate Judges, Circuit Clerks, Sheriffs, and Registrars from all counties in the State of Alabama. The Jefferson County Election Committee members are attendees at these conferences to sharpen their knowledge as to the election process and to learn the new trends in election efficiency.