Residency requirements in Alabama politics are being scrutinized, with candidates and elected officials facing questions about where they actually live. The controversy around residency was highlighted in 2023 when an arrest over lying about residency led to a rare shift in political power, flipping a state legislative seat from Republican to Democrat. While questions about residency have plagued various candidates, the bigger issue is whether voters care about where their politicians reside. Despite the scrutiny, some candidates have been able to brush off residency concerns, with Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican considering a run for governor, facing questions about owning property in both Alabama and Florida. The Alabama State Constitution requires seven years of residency for governor, raising concerns about Tuberville’s eligibility.
Other races, such as the Mobile mayor’s race, have also seen candidates facing residency requirements. Former police chief Paul Prine, a Saraland resident, recently moved to Mobile to run for mayor and has pledged to purchase a permanent residence in the city if elected. Residency issues have also arisen in past elections, such as the 2nd congressional district race where candidates faced questions about living outside the district they were running in. Residency concerns have also led to significant political outcomes, such as former Republican state Rep. David Cole losing his seat after pleading guilty to voting in an unauthorized place due to residency issues. Overall, the debate around residency requirements in Alabama politics continues to be a prominent issue affecting the state’s political landscape.
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