Over the past few weeks, numerous candidates on both sides of the political spectrum have been disqualified for failing to submit financial documents on time.

The Alabama Republican Party began raising objections after several Republican candidates were disqualified for failing to file a Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) within five days of qualifying.

This included incumbents. jackson County Board of Education member Mike Matthews hinted that only Republicans would be disqualified for filing errors.

“I believe both sides must follow the same rules,” Matthews said in the release. “There are questions that must be answered before the deadline to certify candidates. The Ethics Commission must provide equal treatment under the law, and the Secretary of State is responsible as election official and will address this issue. We need to make sure we deal with it.”

ALGOP chairman John Wall said the party was “not aware of the full extent of the issue” but had written to the ethics committee asking for fair treatment under the law.

In Jefferson County alone, 13 Democratic candidates have been disqualified for the same reason, creating a crisis for the party, AL.com reports.

Wayne Rogers, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party, told AL.com, “My focus over the next few days is to help in any way we can to get them back to the polls.” “We will do everything in our power to make sure that happens.”

Due to this situation, there is currently no candidate for Treasurer in Jefferson County.

The statement of financial interest form details the candidate's sources of income and other relevant financial information about the candidate to publicly demonstrate the potential financial interest.

At least nine candidates were disqualified from the ballot in Walker County due to technicalities, according to the Daily Mountain Eagle. According to Alexander City Outlook, two candidates, one Republican and one Democratic, will be removed from the vote for failing to submit paperwork by the deadline.

Also in Montgomery, Mayor Stephen Reed's sister Arva Reed will be disqualified from appearing on the Montgomery County Commission ballot due to a similar error, according to the Montgomery Independent.

APR was unable to contact Ethics Commission Chairman Tom Albritton in time for publication.