FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIANA – Incumbent Shelby County Circuit Clerk Mary Harris has qualified with the Alabama Republican Party to seek her fourth term to the position.

Prior to becoming circuit clerk, Harris was an employee in the office for 26 years. In 1999, Circuit Court Judge Al Crowson appointed her to fill a vacancy in the Circuit Clerk’s position. She was first elected to the position in 2000, and was re-elected in 2006, and 2012.

During her tenure, Harris said she has implemented a number of procedures that have resulted in a more efficient operation, such as e-filing of civil cases was instituted, which has made it possible for her office to convert to a paperless operation in all nine jurisdictions.

Harris has been called on by the Administrative Office of Courts to be a pilot site for several technology initiatives. Harris was instrumental in the development of a certification program for District Court magistrates. She also led the effort to require background checks for all incoming employees.

In the most recent audit report released by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, the Shelby County Circuit Clerk’s Office was found to have been in compliance with all applicable laws and 100 percent of all funds were accounted for.

In addition to her duties as circuit clerk, Harris serves as the Absentee Election Manager for Shelby County. She was recently appointed by the secretary of state to chair the statewide Absentee Voting Task Force.  Additionally, in 2017, she was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to serve on the Governor’s Opioid Abuse Task Force.

Harris is a lifelong resident of Alabaster.  She’s been married for 44 years to her husband Phil, who recently retired from the Alabaster Fire Department. They have a daughter, Cindy, who resides in Montevallo, and a son, Tommy, who resides in Calera.  They also have three grandchildren, Marshall, Tucker and Aubrey.