No decisions about postponing elections

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - Municipal elections are scheduled for this Tuesday in many cities in Mobile and Baldwin counties, but officials say Tropical Storm Isaac could change things.

City clerks and city council members in Fairhope, Daphne, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores kept a close eye Friday on whether the storm would force them to postpone elections.

Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant said no decision had been made yet, but officials with the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, or EMA, will meet this weekend to talk about Isaac's progress. He said they will make a recommendation to the city about the elections.

Kant said, "We're working to see (what's going to happen), just like every other municipality. And I believe once the Governor and our EMA Directors say something, something is surely going to happen. Then we'll make that decision, probably Monday morning."

The city council would then be called into special session to make the final call.

It’s a similar story in Daphne with no decision made Friday. Officials said they will wait for a recommendation from EMA officials over the weekend.

Daphne City Clerk David Cohen said, "We would take their recommendation at that time and set up a special called council meeting, probably to be held Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening."

Mayor Kant said postponing the elections would be something new for Fairhope, and nobody knows exactly when a new date could be set.

He said, "We have not done one, but it will draw out because you're talking about months before you have another election. You have to give proper notice. You have to get the Justice Department to sign off."

Daphne officials have one idea for a possible date if the federal government agrees.

Cohen said, "The runoff election is October 9. It could possibly be held, the general election, at that time, but it has to be advertised correctly."

Officials in Orange Beach also said they will wait until Sunday to see what emergency management officials say about Isaac's path before making a recommendation to the city council about postponing elections.

The city council in Gulf Shores met Friday afternoon to talk about the issue but also decided to wait to get more updates this weekend before making a decision.