On September 24, Alabama held Republican and Democratic primaries for U.S. House, for the vacant First District. Because no one got as much as 50% in the Republican primary, there will be a run-off primary on November 5. The election itself will be on December 17.

The fact that the state can’t even begin to print ballots for the election itself until after November 5 makes the state’s deadline for independent candidates and minor parties seem irrationally early. A lawsuit is pending in U.S. District Court against the number of signatures required (5,938 signatures) and against the September 24 petition deadline.

The two candidates who will be in the Republican run-off are Bradley Byrne and Dean Young.