The results of Huntsville’s August 27 municipal election are in with decisive victories in District 5 races and runoffs in both District 1 races.

The turnout for the election was low, with just 6,070 of the two districts’ 77,028 registered voters casting ballots — for a 7.88% rate of voter turnout.

City Council:

In west Huntsville’s District 5, incumbent City Councilman John Meredith secured 63% of the vote to the 37% won by his opponent Kim Caudle Lewis. Meredith will represent District 5 for another four years on Huntsville’s City Council.

The District 1 City Council race, on the other hand, was not decisive.

Michelle Watkins secured 49.51% of the vote to Devyn Keith’s 40.83%; a runoff will take place since no candidate crossed the 50% threshold — which is required to cement a win. Reggie McKenzie, the third candidate in the race, garnered just 9% of the ballots cast.

Angela Curry, Founder of the United Women of Color and a resident of District 5, followed each of Tuesday’s contests closely.

“I always try to predict the results with friends the day before elections, so watching the results, I was happy to see that my predictions were playing out as picked,” Curry told the Huntsville Business Journal. “At one point, I was hopeful that the D1 city council race was not going to a runoff and it almost did not.”

Curry said that she feels optimistic about the election results, in spite of the low voter turnout.

“It demonstrates that the civic engagement work we do at United Women of Color is essential,” said Curry. “I feel that it will be a positive change if we have an African American woman to serve on the city council for the first time in our city’s history.”

Keith discussed the results of Tuesday night’s election with the Huntsville Business Journal.

“On Tuesday we had about 7-8% voter turnout. I need to do a better job of communicating how high the stakes truly are in this election,” said Keith. “My goal is to get District 1 voters excited about the chance to keep our community growing. We need them motivated to keep the plan in place that has led to record growth, record investment in street pavement, record low crime, new developments, and a new grocery store coming to District 1.”

Keith took aim at his challenger’s record on the school board.

“There is a stark contrast in my record as a City Councilman and my opponent’s record on the School Board,” said Keith. “Mine has led to many tangible successes, while hers has led to seven priority schools in dire need of support and leadership from their School Board Representative. I care too much about the people of my District to allow all of our hard work and progress to be cut short. That’s why I want to win – because I want District 1 to keep growing. I don’t want District 1 to go backwards.”

Watkins just completed a term on Huntsville’s school board. In 2023, Keith pled guilty to multiple counts of shoplifting at area Walmarts. Keith is permanently banned from Walmart.

The Huntsville Business Journal reached out to Michelle Watkins, Keith’s challenger, for a statement. Watkins did not provide a comment to the Business Journal.

School Board:

In District 5, incumbent Carlos Mathews picked up 60% of the vote. Mathews was challenged by Zara Broadenax, who secured 40% of voter support.

There will be a runoff in District 1 for the School Board Representative seat, as none of the four candidates secured 50% of the vote. Claudia Harris and Will Culver secured 13.3% and 12.7% of the vote, respectively, in the race for District 1 School Board Representative. Chaundra Jones (39.1%) and Pat King (34.9%), the top two finishers in that contest, will face off in the runoff.

Pat King discussed the results of Tuesday’s election with the Huntsville Business Journal.

“Tuesday’s election was just the beginning — now, it’s time to bring it home,” said King. “The results have sent a clear message: our community is ready for a fresh, forward-thinking approach to education. As an engineer, I’ve always believed in tackling challenges head-on and finding innovative solutions. That’s precisely the mindset I’m bringing to this runoff.”

As she faces the runoff, King feels more determined than ever before.

“This isn’t just about winning an election; it’s about designing an educational framework that elevates every student and every family,” King continued. “In this final stretch, I’m doubling down on my commitment to District 1. With your support, we’ll transform this momentum into victory and engineer the change our community deserves. Let’s move forward, let’s win this, and let’s build the future our children deserve—one that reflects the strength, diversity, and potential of our entire community.”

The Huntsville Business Journal reached out to Chaundra Jones for a statement. Jones did not respond to the Business Journal’s request.

The City Council will certify the election results on September 3.

The runoff elections for District 1’s city council and school board seats will be held on September 24.