Athens City Council certifies Aug. 26 election, orders Sept. 23 runoff in District 3

Mayor William R. "Ronnie" Marks and the Athens City Council on Sept. 2 met as the canvassing board, certified the results of the Aug. 26 municipal election and voted 5-0 to order a runoff for City Council District 3 to be held Sept. 23, pursuant to Alabama Code § 11-46-20 (1975).

The canvass resolution, approved unanimously, recorded the totals as read into the record: William R. "Ronnie" Marks, mayor, 2,427 votes; candidate Danny Whitfield, 1,570 votes; Mark Wilson, 240 votes. Council races certified in the canvass included District 2, Alan Creasy 1,030 votes, Tim Colling 245 votes; District 3, James Lucas 295 votes, Henry A. White 277 votes, Kelly Dye 68 votes (no candidate received a majority, prompting the ordered runoff); District 4, Dana Sims Henry 650 votes, Jared Schulte/Scholtes 249 votes; District 5, Amy Golden 285 votes, Jamie Elliott 101 votes.

The council also adopted a separate resolution, by the same 5-0 vote, declaring Chris Seibert duly elected to City Council District 1 after the other qualifying candidate withdrew prior to the election. The resolution notes the withdrawal left Seibert as the only remaining candidate and declares the term to begin the first Monday in November 2025.

Why it matters: canvass meetings formally confirm who received the most votes and set any required runoffs under state law. The council's actions set the official totals, initiated the runoff timeline for District 3, and authorized preparation and filing of certificates of election required by law.

How the canvass proceeded: City staff opened provisional ballots district by district and provided counts that were added to the preliminary totals. The council recorded which provisional ballots could be counted and which could not; overall additions from provisionals produced the certified totals listed above. City Clerk Annette told the council that absentee ballots for the scheduled Sept. 23 runoff had been ordered and were expected by the end of the week; she said the last day to apply for a mailed absentee ballot for the runoff is Sept. 18 and that voters may vote absentee in person at the city clerk’s office.

Votes at a glance

- Canvassing resolution certifying the Aug. 26, 2025 municipal election and ordering a runoff in City Council District 3 (per Alabama Code § 11-46-20): approved 5-0 (Seibert: yes; Wailes: yes; Henry: yes; Harper: yes; Lucas: yes). The resolution records certified vote totals and orders the Sept. 23 runoff between James Lucas and Henry A. White.

- Resolution declaring Chris Seibert elected to City Council District 1 following the withdrawal of the other qualifying candidate: approved 5-0 (Seibert: yes; Wailes: yes; Henry: yes; Harper: yes; Lucas: yes).

Additional administrative steps and notes: the council instructed staff to prepare certificates of election for filing with the county probate judge, the Alabama League of Municipalities and the state secretary of state. City staff said extra copies of certificates were available for the newly elected officials. The clerk also noted limited uptake of the clerk’s automatic runoff-absentee option: only one absentee applicant had checked the box requesting an automatic ballot for a potential runoff; voters wishing to receive a mailed absentee ballot for the Sept. 23 runoff must apply by Sept. 18.

Separately, near the meeting’s conclusion a council member relayed an unverified media rumor about a possible federal announcement later that day concerning a space facility in Huntsville; the council did not take any official action on that topic.

The canvass resolutions record that successful candidates’ terms begin on the first Monday in November 2025. The council adjourned after completing the canvass and the two resolutions.