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Alabama State Auditor

From Ballotpedia
Alabama State Auditor

Seal of Alabama.png

General information
Office Type:  Partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $93,606
2025 FY Budget:  $1,245,407
Term limits:  2 terms
Structure
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:  Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 112
Selection Method:  Elected
Current Officeholder(s)

Alabama Auditor Andrew Sorrell
Republican Party
Assumed office: January 16, 2023

Elections
Next election:  November 3, 2026
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Other Alabama Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralTreasurerAuditorSuperintendent of EducationAgriculture CommissionerInsurance CommissionerNatural Resources CommissionerLabor CommissionerPublic Service Commission

TheAlabama State Auditor is a state executive position in the Alabama government. The auditor is responsible for making a report to the governor of "receipts and disbursement of every character, all claims audited and paid out, and all taxed and revenues collected."[1] The office also tracks all state non-consumable property worth $500 or more and serves on a number of state finance committees.

Current officeholder

The current Alabama Auditor isAndrew Sorrell (R). Sorrell assumed office in 2023.

Authority

The state auditor's authority derives fromArticle V, Section 112 of theAlabama Constitution.

Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 112

The executive department shall consist of a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, commissioner of agriculture and industries, and a sheriff for each county.

Qualifications

Qualifications for the office of state auditor are described inArticle V, Section 132 of thestate Constitution. Candidates for the office must have been a citizen of the United States for seven years, a resident of Alabama for five years and at least 25 years of age.

Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 132

No person shall be eligible to the office of attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, or commissioner of agriculture and industries unless he shall have been a citizen of the United States at least seven years, and shall have resided in this state at least five years next preceding his election, and shall be at least twenty-five years old when elected.

Elections

Clickhere to view a large-scale image of the Alabama state government organizational chart, as of 9/11/12.

PerSection 114 of thestate constitution, Alabama elects its auditors during federal midterm election years (e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030).Section 116 sets the auditor's inauguration for the first Monday after the second Tuesday in the January following an election.

Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 114

The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, and commissioner of agriculture and industries shall be elected by the qualified electors of the state at the same time and places appointed for the election of members of the legislature in the year nineteen hundred and two, and in every fourth year thereafter.

Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 116

The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, commissioner of agriculture and industries, elected after the ratification of this Constitution, shall hold their respective offices for the term of four years from the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January next succeeding their election, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

Term limits

Per Amendment 282 to Article V, Section 116 of the Alabama Constitution, auditors are limited to two terms in office.[2]

2022

See also:Alabama Auditor election, 2022

General election

General election for Alabama Auditor

Andrew Sorrell defeatedLeigh LaChine in the general election for Alabama Auditor on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andrew Sorrell
Andrew Sorrell (R) Candidate Connection
 
84.4
 
949,871
Image of Leigh LaChine
Leigh LaChine (L) Candidate Connection
 
14.8
 
166,781
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.8
 
8,544

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,125,196
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Alabama Auditor

Andrew Sorrell defeatedStan Cooke in the Republican primary runoff for Alabama Auditor on June 21, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andrew Sorrell
Andrew Sorrell Candidate Connection
 
57.5
 
205,257
Image of Stan Cooke
Stan Cooke
 
42.5
 
152,006

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 357,263
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alabama Auditor

Andrew Sorrell andStan Cooke advanced to a runoff. They defeatedRusty Glover in the Republican primary for Alabama Auditor on May 24, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andrew Sorrell
Andrew Sorrell Candidate Connection
 
39.5
 
212,223
Image of Stan Cooke
Stan Cooke
 
32.8
 
176,352
Image of Rusty Glover
Rusty Glover
 
27.7
 
149,229

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 537,804
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

2018

See also:Alabama Auditor election, 2018

General election

General election for Alabama Auditor

IncumbentJim Zeigler defeatedMiranda Joseph in the general election for Alabama Auditor on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jim Zeigler
Jim Zeigler (R)
 
60.4
 
1,018,466
Image of Miranda Joseph
Miranda Joseph (D)
 
39.5
 
665,679
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
1,362

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,685,507
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Alabama Auditor

Miranda Joseph advanced from the Democratic primary for Alabama Auditor on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
Image of Miranda Joseph
Miranda Joseph

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alabama Auditor

IncumbentJim Zeigler defeatedStan Cooke andElliott Lipinsky in the Republican primary for Alabama Auditor on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jim Zeigler
Jim Zeigler
 
55.6
 
262,153
Image of Stan Cooke
Stan Cooke
 
32.6
 
153,578
Image of Elliott Lipinsky
Elliott Lipinsky
 
11.8
 
55,624

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 471,355
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

2014

See also:Alabama down ballot state executive elections, 2014
Auditor of Alabama, 2014
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJim Zeigler62.9%716,122
    DemocraticMiranda Joseph37%420,843
    Nonpartisan Write-in votes0.1%1,010
Total Votes1,137,975
Election results viaAlabama Secretary of State

Full history

To view the electoral history dating back to 2002 for the office of Alabama State Auditor, click [show] to expand the section.
 

2010

On November 2, 2010, Samantha Shaw won re-election to the office of Alabama State Auditor. She defeated Miranda Joseph (D) and a write-in challenger in the general election.

Alabama State Auditor, 2010
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngSamantha ShawIncumbent62.6%893,229
    Democratic Miranda Joseph37.3%531,233
    n/a Write-in0.1%1,303
Total Votes1,425,765
Election results viaAlabama Secretary of State.

2006

On November 7, 2006, Samantha Shaw won election to the office of Alabama State Auditor. She defeated Janie Clarke (D) and a write-in challenger in the general election.

Alabama State Auditor, 2006
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngSamantha Shaw54.1%627,424
    Democratic Janie Clarke45.8%531,717
    n/a Write-in0.1%946
Total Votes1,160,087
Election results viaAlabama Secretary of State.

2002

On November 5, 2002, Beth Chapman won election to the office of Alabama State Auditor. He defeated Carolyn Gibson (R), Franklin Reeves (Lib) and various write-in challengers in the general election.

Alabama State Auditor, 2002
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngBeth Chapman51.3%655,189
    Democratic Carolyn Reeves45.4%579,899
    Libertarian Franklin Reeves3.2%41,397
    N/A Write-ins0.1%1,178
Total Votes1,277,663
Election results viaAlabama Secretary of State.


Vacancies

Article V, Section 136 of the Alabama Constitution requires thegovernor to appoint a replacement if the office of state auditor becomes vacant or if the incumbent "shall become of unsound mind." The replacement serves until the next scheduled election.[3]

Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 136

Should the office of attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, or commissioner of agriculture and industries become vacant from any cause, the governor shall fill such vacancy until the disability is removed or a successor elected and qualified. In case any of said officers shall become of unsound mind, such unsoundness shall be ascertained by the supreme court upon the suggestion of the governor.

Duties

The Alabama Constitution requires the state auditor to make a report to the governor every year "showing the receipts and disbursements of every character, all claims audited and paid out, by items, and all taxes and revenues collected and paid into the treasury, and the sources thereof."[4] Additionally, the auditor performs "post audits of the accounts and records of the Treasurer and ... of the Department of Finance."[1]

The auditor also serves as a member on the following state boards[1]:

  • State Board of Adjustment
  • State Board of Appointments for Board of Registrars
  • State Board of Compromise
  • Alabama Education Authority
  • Penny Trust Fund

In addition, the auditor's office is responsible for tracking all non-consumable state property worth $500 or more and performs an audit of those items every two years.[1]

Divisions

As of January 5, 2021, divisions within the State Auditor's Office included:[5]

  • Administrative Division
  • Property Division

State budget

See also:Alabama state budget and finances

The budget for the Alabama State Auditor in Fiscal Year 2025 was $1,245,407.[6]

Compensation

See also:Compensation of state executive officers

The auditor's salary is fixed by law.Alabama Constitution, Article V, Section 118 of thestate Constitution requires that changes in compensation take effect in the term after they were passed.

Alabama Constitution, Article V, Section 118

The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, and commissioner of agriculture and industries, shall receive compensation to be fixed by law, which shall not be increased or diminished during the term for which they shall have been elected, and shall, except the lieutenant governor, reside at the state capital during the time they continue in office, except during epidemics.

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $93,606, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[7]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $88,405, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[8]

2021

In 2021, the auditor salary was $88,405, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]

2020

In 2020, the auditor received a salary of $87,673 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]

2019

In 2019, the auditor received a salary of $85,248 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]

2018

In 2018, the auditor received a salary of $85,248 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]

2017

In 2017, the auditor received a salary of $85,248 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]

2016

In 2016, the auditor received a salary of $85,248, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]

2015

In 2015, the auditor received a salary $85,248, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]

2014

In 2014, the state auditor's salary remained at$85,248, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]

2013

In 2013, the state auditor's salary was$85,248, according to theCouncil of State Governments.

Historical officeholders

There have been 41 Alabama Auditors since 1819. Of the 41 officeholders, five were Republican, 22 were Democrat, and one was a Whig.[17]

List of Former Officeholders from 1869-Present
#NameTenureParty
1Samuel Pickens1819-1829NA
2George W. Crabb1829-1836Whig
3Jefferson C. Van Dyke1836-1848NA
4Joel Riggs1848-1855NA
5William J. Greene1855-1865NA
6Malcolm A. Chisholm1865-1868NA
7Robert M. Reynolds1869-1872NA
8Robert T. Smith1872-1876NA
9Willis Brewer1876-1880Electiondot.pngDemocratic
10J. Malcolm Carmichael1880-1884NA
11Malcolm C. Burke1884-1888NA
12Cyrus D. Hogue1888-1892NA
13John Purifoy1892-1896NA
14Walter S. White1896-1900NA
15Thomas L. Sowell1900-1905Electiondot.pngDemocratic
16J. Malcolm Carmichael1905-1907NA
17William W. Brandon1907-1911Electiondot.pngDemocratic
18C. Brooks Smith1911-1915Electiondot.pngDemocratic
19Miles C. Allgood1915-1919Electiondot.pngDemocratic
20Henry F. Lee1919-1923Electiondot.pngDemocratic
21William B. Allgood1923-1927Electiondot.pngDemocratic
22Sidney H. Blan1927-1931Electiondot.pngDemocratic
23John M. Brandon1931-1935Electiondot.pngDemocratic
24Charles E. McCall1935-1939Electiondot.pngDemocratic
25David H. Turner1939-1943Electiondot.pngDemocratic
26John M. Brandon1943-1947Electiondot.pngDemocratic
27Daniel H. Thomas, Sr.1947-1951Electiondot.pngDemocratic
28John M. Brandon1951-1955Electiondot.pngDemocratic
29Agnes Baggett1955-1959Electiondot.pngDemocratic
30Mary Texas Hurt Garner1959-1963Electiondot.pngDemocratic
31Bettye Jean (Haynes) Frink1963-1967Electiondot.pngDemocratic
32Melba Till Allen1967-1969Electiondot.pngDemocratic
33Betty Jean (Haynes) Frink1975-1983Electiondot.pngDemocratic
34Jan Cook1983-1991Electiondot.pngDemocratic
35Terry Ellis1991-1995Electiondot.pngDemocratic
36Pat Duncan1995-1999Ends.pngRepublican
37Susan Parker1999-2003Electiondot.pngDemocratic
38Beth Chapman2003-2007Ends.pngRepublican
39Samantha Shaw2007-2015Ends.pngRepublican
40Jim Zeigler2015-2023Ends.pngRepublican
41Andrew Sorrell2023-presentEnds.pngRepublican

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsAlabama State Auditor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact info

Alabama

Physical address:
State Capitol
Room S-101
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone: (334) 242-7010
Fax: (334) 242-7650

See also

AlabamaState Executive ElectionsNews and Analysis
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Alabama State Executive Offices
Alabama State Legislature
Alabama Courts
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Alabama elections:2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.01.11.21.3Alabama State Auditor, "About the Office," accessed January 5, 2021
  2. Constitution of Alabama, "Amendment 282 to Section 116," accessed January 5, 2021
  3. Constitution of Alabama, "Article V, Section 136," accessed January 5, 2021
  4. Constitution of Alabama, "Article V, Section 137," accessed January 5, 2021
  5. Alabama State Auditor, "Contact," accessed January 5, 2021
  6. Alabama Department of Finance, "Act 2024-355," accessed January 15, 2025
  7. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
  8. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  9. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
  10. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 5, 2021
  11. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 5, 2021
  12. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 5, 2021
  13. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 5, 2021
  14. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
  15. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
  16. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
  17. Alabama Department of Archives and History, "Alabama Auditors," accessed July 25, 2013
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