CHAMBERS COUNTY — District 3 Commissioner James “Moto” Williams says he will run as a write-in candidate in the Nov. 3 general election, after losing the Republican primary in May to John Benefield.
Williams announced his decision Oct. 1, saying low voter turnout in the primary helped motivate him to continue his campaign. He estimated that fewer than 25% of District 3’s more than 4,000 voters cast ballots.
“There are over 4,000 voters in District 3. Less than 25 percent of voters show up, so, in my opinion, folks didn’t vote,” Williams said.
Williams said he hopes his campaign will encourage residents to participate in the election, regardless of their political affiliation or candidate preference. District 3 is the largest of Chambers County’s commission districts, and Williams said he plans to reach as many voters as possible before Election Day.
“I don’t care if you’re Democrat, Republican, Independent,” he said. “I’m encouraging everyone to go vote. And like I tell a lot of folks, I don’t care if you don’t vote for me. If you vote for somebody else, at least go vote. Vote so that your voice can be heard.”
Write-in candidates typically face a difficult path to victory. Williams said write-in campaigns have been attempted before in Chambers County, though he believes one has succeeded only once in Alabama.
Chambers County Probate Judge Paul Story said Williams’ decision to run as a write-in candidate is permitted under Alabama law. Write-in candidacies have also drawn attention elsewhere in the state, including in the Lee County sheriff’s race.
