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By Anna Barrett | Staff Writer

Just over 1 in 10 Alabamians decided party nominees for some of the state’s highest offices. Our top story today has more on which counties saw an increase, or decrease, compared to the 2022 primary runoff.

While voter turnout in the June 16 primary runoff decreased statewide, the number of Republican ballots cast declined, while Democratic ballots increased. (Anna Claire Vollers/Stateline)

ELECTIONS 2026

Republican ballot numbers drop, Democrat ballot numbers increase as voter turnout declines

By Andrea Tinker

Fewer than half of voters who participated in May’s primary elections cast a ballot in last week’s primary runoff, which had some of the state’s highest offices and the U.S. Senate race. The absence of local races, according to local party chairs, contributed to low turnout.

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Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, a member of the Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Safety, said that regulating AI will be a "colossal task." (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Regulating artificial intelligence will be 'colossal task' for Alabama lawmakers

By Anna Barrett

After listening to experts for about three hours on Wednesday, Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, said Alabama lawmakers would have to “take baby steps instead of going all in” on AI regulation. Experts told the commission about different types of legislation, how chatbots collect data and the importance of educating the public on AI.

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Erika Christensen, left, with her husband, Garin, and her daughter in New York in 2018. (Photo courtesy of Erika Christensen)

HEALTHCARE

4 years after Dobbs, advocates clash over how far to take fight for later abortion access

By Kelcie Moseley-Morris

Late-term abortions are one of the least-discussed types, in part due to the rarity. Researchers and doctors say later abortions are complicated, expensive and difficult to access, with very few clinics nationwide that can or will provide them. Access has declined since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and advocates - including former patients - are divided on how to regain that access.

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