By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The city of Alabaster has changed its municipal election voting location for this year, and has established a website for those interested in qualifying to run for the mayoral and City Council seats.

Like other municipalities across the state, Alabaster will hold its municipal elections on Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

This year, the city’s polling location will be at the Alabaster First United Methodist Church’s Restore building, which is a former Winn Dixie grocery store building in a shopping center adjoining the church off Alabama 119.

The Restore building marks a change from the previous several elections, when the polling location was held at the Shelby County Schools Instructional Services Center off U.S. 31.

Alabaster City Manager and City Clerk George Henry previously said the city moved the voting location to allow for easier access, especially during rush hour traffic on U.S. 31.

Similar to many larger cities in Alabama, Alabaster’s government operates on the ward system. Rather than electing City Council members at-large, Alabaster voters select one council member from each of the city’s seven wards.

In order to be elected to represent a particular ward, candidates must live in the ward, according to city ordinances. On Aug. 23, Alabaster voters will determine their seven City Council representatives and their mayor for the next four years.

On July 5, the city’s candidate-qualifying period will begin for the municipal elections, and the period will run through midnight on July 19.

Alabaster has established a website at Cityofalabaster.com/residents/2016-municipal-elections-information/ with information for voters and candidates outlining the requirements for qualifying for office. The site also contains detailed ward maps to show voters and candidates which ward they live in.

To be on the ballot, voters must register with Henry, providing a statement of economic interest from the Alabama Ethics Commission, which is available at Ethics.alabama.gov.

Anyone with questions about voting or qualifying for office should contact Henry or Lisa Glasgow at 664-6800.