Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Laura McCauley Alvis

Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population as well as mayoral, city council, and district attorney election coverage in state capitals outside of the 100 largest cities. This judge is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates.
Laura McCauley Alvis is the Republican judge for Place 4 on the 18th Circuit Court in Alabama. Alvis won the general election on November 8, 2016.
Elections
2016
Alabama held general elections for local judicial offices in 2016. A primary election took place on March 1, 2016, with a primary runoff on April 12, 2016. The general election was held on November 8, 2016.
General election
Laura McCauley Alvis ran unopposed in the general election for the Alabama 18th Judicial Circuit Place 4 seat.[1]
Alabama 18th Judicial Circuit (Place 4), General Election, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | |
Republican | ![]() | |
Source: Alabama Votes, "2016 Unofficial General Election Results," accessed November 10, 2016 |
Primary runoff election
Laura McCauley Alvis defeated Patrick Kennedy in the Alabama 18th Circuit Court Republican primary runoff for Place 4.[2]
Alabama 18th Judicial Circuit (Place 4), Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
51.04% | 4,049 |
Patrick Kennedy | 48.96% | 3,884 |
Total Votes | 7,933 | |
Source: AL News, "Shelby County runoffs: Alvis wins circuit court, Williams takes commission seat," April 12, 2016 |
Primary election
Laura McCauley Alvis and Patrick Kennedy defeated J. Timothy Smith in the Alabama 18th Circuit Court Republican primary for Place 4.[2]
Alabama 18th Judicial Circuit (Place 4), Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
45.26% | 18,678 |
![]() |
39.34% | 16,235 |
J. Timothy Smith | 15.40% | 6,355 |
Total Votes | 41,268 | |
Source: Alabama Votes, "Unofficial Election Night Results," March 3, 2016 |
Selection method
- See also: Partisan elections
There are 144 judges on the Alabama Circuit Courts, each elected to six-year terms. They appear on partisan election ballots statewide and must face re-election if they wish to serve again. The chief judge of a circuit court is selected by peer vote and serves a three-year term.[3]
Only voters residing in a particular circuit may vote for the circuit judge of that region.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:
- licensed to practice law for at least five years;
- a resident of his or her circuit for at least one year;
- under the age of 70 at the time of election (judges who turn 70 in office may serve until their term expires)[3][4]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Alabama Votes, "2016 Election Information," accessed May 5, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Alabama Votes, "2016 Primary Election Sample Ballots," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Alabama," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Judicial Retirement Laws, "Alabama: Mandatory Retirement Provisions Applicable Generally," accessed March 31, 2016
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama
State courts:
Alabama Supreme Court • Alabama Court of Civil Appeals • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals • Alabama Circuit Courts • Alabama District Courts • Alabama Juvenile Courts • Alabama Municipal Courts • Alabama Probate Courts • Alabama Small Claims Courts
State resources:
Courts in Alabama • Alabama judicial elections • Judicial selection in Alabama