Court Rules Murphy Must Stay on May 19th Republican Primary Ballot
Summary
A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge ruled March 12, 2026, that Morgan Murphy's name must remain on the May 19th Republican primary ballot for U.S. Senate. The court determined that Secretary of State Wes Allen and other election officials acted in accordance with Alabama law when Murphy's name was not removed from the ballot. Under Alabama law, a candidate's name can only be removed from a party primary ballot if the party certifies the withdrawal to the Secretary of State by the statutory deadline. No such certification was received from the Alabama Republican Party for Murphy.
What changed
A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge ruled that Morgan Murphy must remain on the May 19th Republican primary ballot for U.S. Senate. The court rejected a lawsuit challenging Murphy's ballot placement after he submitted an improper notice of withdrawal. Judge James Anderson determined that the Secretary of State and election officials followed Alabama law, which requires a party to certify a candidate's withdrawal by the statutory deadline before removal can occur.
Political parties, candidates, and election administrators should note that Alabama law requires formal party certification of withdrawal by statutory deadlines for ballot removal. County officials continue preparing ballots according to established timelines to ensure timely absentee voting, including for military and overseas voters.
What to do next
- Monitor for additional election-related announcements
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Secretary of State Wes Allen Announces Court Win: Judge Rules Secretary of State Followed the Law
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A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge confirmed Wednesday that Morgan Murphy’s name must remain on the May 19th Republican primary ballot for U.S. Senate after he improperly submitted notice of withdrawal from the race. The ruling came after a lawsuit was filed March 11, 2026, challenging whether Murphy’s name should appear on the ballot. After hearing the matter, Judge James Anderson determined that the Secretary of State and other election officials acted in accordance with Alabama law.
“I followed the law to the letter,” Allen said. “It is unfortunate that the court’s time had to be spent resolving an issue that Alabama law already makes crystal clear. With this ruling, voters can be confident that my office is acting in accordance with the law and that, despite baseless political attacks, we will continue to administer Alabama’s elections faithfully and correctly.”
A candidate’s name will only be removed from a party primary ballot if the candidate withdraws with the party and the party certifies the withdrawal of its nominee to the Secretary of State by the statutory deadline. No certification of withdrawal for Morgan Murphy was received from the Alabama Republican Party, so the candidate’s name remains on the ballot as required.
County officials are currently preparing ballots according to timelines established by law to ensure timely absentee voting, including for military and overseas voters.
A copy of the court’s order is available here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/press/Final%20Order%20-%20Signed%203.12.26.pdf.
Wes Allen is Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is Alabama’s Chief Elections Official. Additionally, Alabama law gives the Secretary of State more than 1,000 different duties. To learn more about the Secretary of State and his responsibilities and duties visit www.sos.alabama.gov.
*Secretary of State Wes Allen’s official photograph: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/AllenBioHighRes.jpg
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