The Jay Jones write-in campaign is drawing attention in Lee County, Alabama, as voters head to the polls on November 3, 2026. The grassroots movement aims to give long-time Sheriff Jay Jones another chance to remain in office after he narrowly lost the Republican primary to former deputy Cameron Hunt.
The contest has become an unusual local election story because Hunt is the only officially listed candidate for sheriff on the November ballot. However, Jones’ supporters believe voters should have another option. They have organised a community-led campaign encouraging residents to write his name on their ballots instead.
The election has attracted attention beyond Lee County, with questions about voter choice, Republican Party rules and the role of grassroots political movements. While Hunt has the Republican nomination, Jones’ supporters are hoping their efforts will translate into enough votes to change the outcome.
Jay Jones Lost the Republican Primary by Just 307 Votes
The competition between Jay Jones and Cameron Hunt became particularly close during the May 19, 2026, Republican primary.
According to reported election results, Hunt received 9,301 votes, while Jones secured 8,994. The difference was only 307 votes, making it a closely contested race for the county sheriff’s position. The figures were also reported by AL.com following the election.
Jones had served as Lee County sheriff for nearly three decades. He was first elected in 1998 and was seeking another term when Hunt challenged him for the Republican nomination.
Hunt previously worked as a deputy in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He announced his intention to run for sheriff in October 2025 and was subsequently dismissed from the department. Jones said their working relationship had become difficult, while Hunt criticised the way his dismissal was handled.
The primary victory secured Hunt the Republican nomination. With no Democratic candidate entering the sheriff’s race, Hunt became the only candidate whose name appears on the November 3 general election ballot.
However, the narrow primary result encouraged some Lee County residents to organise a separate effort supporting Jones.
Grassroots Campaign Encourages Voters to Write in Jay Jones
The Jay Jones write-in campaign emerged after his primary defeat, with local residents taking the initiative to encourage voters to support the long-time sheriff.
Debra Beil, one of the organisers, said the movement had attracted people from different political backgrounds. Supporters believe Jones’ experience and long service to the community make him a strong choice for another term.
The campaign has used traditional community outreach and social media to spread its message. Supporters have also distributed promotional stickers and yard signs encouraging residents to write Jones’ name on their ballots.
According to local television reporting by WTVM, organisers estimated that approximately 1,000 stickers and hundreds of yard signs had been distributed.
Jones has acknowledged the support but has maintained that he is not organising the grassroots effort himself. He has said he feels humbled by residents who want him to continue serving as sheriff.
He has also indicated that he would respect the voters’ decision, regardless of the election outcome.
Meanwhile, Hunt has recognised voters’ right to support a write-in candidate. However, he has questioned whether Jones is entirely disconnected from the campaign.
The two sides therefore enter election day with different advantages. Hunt has the official Republican nomination and a place on the ballot, while Jones depends on voters following the write-in process correctly.
Alabama Republican Party Dispute Adds Another Dimension
The Lee County sheriff election has also created tension within the Alabama Republican Party. Party chairman Scott Stadthagen and other Republican officials have encouraged voters to support Hunt, who won the party’s nomination in May. Jones has alleged that Stadthagen threatened to remove him from the Republican Party because he did not publicly endorse Hunt. The disagreement followed the grassroots write-in effort and Jones’ comments about explaining the voting process to residents.
In a statement reported by WTVM, Jones said he had not asked voters to support him and was simply explaining the legal process for casting a write-in ballot. The dispute involves the difference between political party rules and state election law. Alabama Republicans have internal rules concerning candidates who challenge a party nominee after losing a primary. These provisions can affect party membership, but they do not automatically determine whether a voter can cast a write-in ballot.
Alabama law permits write-in voting in non-municipal general elections. This means the party’s internal disagreement does not, by itself, prevent Lee County residents from writing Jones’ name on their ballots. The distinction is important because voters’ legal options and a political party’s membership decisions are separate issues.
How to Vote for Jay Jones in the November 3 Election
One of the biggest challenges for the grassroots campaign is making sure supporters understand how to cast a valid write-in vote.
Unlike Hunt, Jones does not appear as a printed candidate on the general election ballot. Residents who want to support him must use the designated write-in section for the sheriff’s race.
Under Alabama Administrative Code Rule 307-X-1-.16, voters must write the candidate’s name in the appropriate space and mark the corresponding voting area. Both steps are necessary for the write-in vote to count.
Voters should also avoid selecting Hunt and writing in Jones for the same office. Marking both choices can create an overvote, meaning neither choice for that particular race will count.
Residents can consult the Alabama Secretary of State’s official election information for guidance about voting procedures and election administration.
What Happens Next in the Lee County Sheriff Election?
The November 3 election will determine whether Cameron Hunt’s Republican primary victory leads to the sheriff’s office or whether the grassroots movement can bring Jay Jones back for another term. Hunt enters the general election as the only officially listed candidate. However, Alabama’s write-in voting rules give eligible voters another way to express their preference.
The result will be significant for Lee County, where Jones has held the sheriff’s position since 1998. It will also provide an example of how a community-organised write-in campaign can challenge an established political nomination. As voters make their decisions, attention will remain on turnout, the number of valid write-in ballots and the final certified election results.
