BIRMINGHAM — Republican nominees hold double-digit leads in the races for governor, U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor, and a large majority of Alabama voters favor expanding the state’s school-choice program, according to a new statewide poll.
Napolitan News Service surveyed 800 registered voters Sept. 21-25 for Alabama Policy Action, a Birmingham-based policy group. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The general election is Nov. 3.
In the governor’s race, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee, led former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the Democratic nominee, 50% to 37%. Another 2% favored a different candidate, 2% said they would not vote and 8% were undecided.
In the U.S. Senate race, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, led Birmingham attorney Everett Wess, the Democratic nominee, 54% to 33%, a 21-point advantage. Another 2% favored a different candidate, 2% said they would not vote and 9% were undecided. The seat is open because Tuberville is running for governor.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, former Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl, the Republican nominee, led state Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, 49% to 33%. Another 2% favored a different candidate, 3% said they would not vote and 13% were undecided.
The survey also asked about the CHOOSE Act, which was sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett of Trussville. The education savings account program was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2024. Participating students enrolled in a participating school can receive $7,000 a year for approved education expenses. Home-education students can receive $2,000, up to $4,000 per family. Eligibility is now limited by household income. Beginning with the 2027-28 school year, the income cap is scheduled to end and the program is set to be open to Alabama families regardless of income.
Asked whether the $7,000 accounts, described in the question as now available to active military, special-needs and low-income families, should be extended to all families, 70% said yes, 16% said no and 15% were not sure.
Told that the CHOOSE Act makes the accounts universally available beginning in 2027, 75% said they strongly or somewhat favor that expansion. Fifteen percent opposed it and 10% were undecided.
The popularity of school choice in Alabama may be problematic for Democrat nominee for governor Jones, who pledged on his social media account to “…stop the CHOOSE Act in its tracks.” In separate interviews with The Trussville Tribune, both Jones and Ensler reiterated their opposition to school choice.
“These numbers clearly show that Alabama voters remain deeply committed to conservative leadership and are overwhelmingly united behind expanding educational opportunities for every child in our state,” Stephanie Smith, executive director of Alabama Policy Action, said in a statement released with the poll. “Support for universal school choice through the CHOOSE Act transcends typical political divides, proving that parents and taxpayers of all demographics want flexibility and empowerment in education.”
The leads in all three races are outside the poll’s margin of error. Napolitan News Service is the polling operation founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen.
