Madison Voters Head to the Ballot Box to Decide Next Mayor and City Council

Strategic Insights -

Madison, Alabama residents will gather at the polls tomorrow to choose the city's next mayor and a majority of the city council, with new faces expected to take office. The election will see a new mayor following the decision of current Mayor Paul Finley not to seek reelection. Three candidates, Ranae Bartlett, M. Margi Daly, and Steve Smith, are vying for the top seat. Additionally, seven city council seats are up for grabs, with only three competitive races among the total. Residents can find sample ballots online and check their polling locations using the city's website.

Key Takeaways:

  • The mayoral election features three candidates: Ranae Bartlett, M. Margi Daly, and Steve Smith.
  • Ranae Bartlett is the current Madison City Council President Pro Tempore and a former Board of Education member.
  • M. Margi Daly is a former council and county commission member in New Jersey.
  • Steve Smith is the current Madison City Administrator and a former city council member.
  • Four city council seats are not competitive, with only one incumbent (Maura Wroblewski) running unopposed.
  • District 1, 4, 5, and 6 have a total of five challengers against incumbent council members or single candidates.
  • The mayoral runoff, if necessary, is scheduled for September 23.

Statistics:

  • Three candidates are running for mayor: Ranae Bartlett, M. Margi Daly, and Steve Smith.
  • Seven city council seats are up for election.
  • Only three of the seven council seats are competitive.
  • Four council seats have no incumbent running: District 1, 4, 5, and 6.
  • A total of five challengers are running against incumbent or single council members.

Sources:

  • Villages of Madison. Up for Election. https://www.madisonal.gov/198/Elections
  • Villages of Madison. 2025 Sample Ballots. https://www.madisonal.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18942/2025-Sample-Ballots
  • Villages of Madison. Find Your Council District and Polling Location. https://madisonal.maps.arcgis.com/apps/InformationLookup/index.html?appid=a10ab5ab87ad450ab7788710bf6856b6
  • AL.com. 3 Candidates Vying for Madison Mayor. https://www.al.com/news/2025/08/3-candidates-vying-for-the-job-of-madisons-mayor-here-are-their-answers-to-10-pressing-questions.html