Alabama Voters Seek to Remove Tommy Tuberville from Governor’s Ballot Over Residency Questions

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BuzzReport News) — A new legal challenge is intensifying the political battle surrounding Alabama’s 2026 gubernatorial race, as two Alabama voters have filed a lawsuit seeking to have U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville declared ineligible to run for governor and removed from the November general election ballot.  

The lawsuit, filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court, asks a judge to determine whether Tuberville satisfies Alabama’s constitutional residency requirements for governor. The plaintiffs are also seeking an order preventing Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen from printing Tuberville’s name on the general election ballot until the matter is resolved.  

Residency at the Center of the Dispute

At the heart of the lawsuit is Article V, Section 117 of the Alabama Constitution, which requires gubernatorial candidates to have been citizens and residents of Alabama for at least seven years immediately preceding the election. Critics of Tuberville have long questioned whether he meets that requirement, citing his ownership of property in Florida and allegations that he spent significant time living outside Alabama.  

Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach who currently serves in the U.S. Senate, has repeatedly maintained that his legal residence is in Auburn, Alabama. His campaign has released tax records, voter registration information, and property records in previous efforts to counter residency challenges.  

Previous Challenge Rejected

The latest lawsuit comes just days after the Alabama Republican Party rejected a separate challenge to Tuberville’s eligibility. That challenge, filed by former gubernatorial primary opponent Ken McFeeters, argued that Tuberville failed to meet the state’s residency requirements.

Following a review of documentation that included tax returns, property ownership records, and voter registration information, the Alabama Republican Party’s steering committee unanimously ruled that Tuberville qualified to remain the party’s nominee for governor.  

However, legal experts note that a political party’s determination does not necessarily end the matter. Courts retain the authority to interpret constitutional qualifications for public office, meaning the new lawsuit could place the issue before a judge for a final legal determination.  

High-Stakes Political Battle

The case carries enormous political implications for Alabama’s 2026 election. Tuberville is widely viewed as the frontrunner in the governor’s race after winning the Republican nomination and leveraging strong support from conservative voters across the state. His decision to leave the Senate and run for governor has already reshaped Alabama politics and triggered a competitive race to fill his Senate seat.  

If a court were to rule against Tuberville, it could create unprecedented turmoil in Alabama’s gubernatorial election and force Republicans to confront questions about replacing their nominee just months before voters head to the polls.

What Happens Next?

The lawsuit is expected to move quickly through the courts given the approaching election and the need for ballots to be finalized. Attorneys for both sides will likely present evidence regarding Tuberville’s residency history, voter registration records, tax filings, and property ownership.

For now, Tuberville remains the Republican nominee for governor, but the legal challenge ensures that questions about his residency—and his eligibility to hold Alabama’s highest office—will remain a major issue in the months ahead.  

As Alabama voters prepare for one of the state’s most closely watched gubernatorial elections in years, the courts may ultimately decide whether Tommy Tuberville’s name appears on the ballot at all.