I believe Dallas County could play a huge role in deciding the state’s Governor’s race on Nov. 6.

Local voters will decide between Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox (Democrat) and incumbent Kay Ivey (Republican).

In last week’s Primary election, Maddox defeated Sue Bell Cobb to take the Democratic nomination. Maddox received 4,753 votes and 49 percent. Cobb had 3,276 votes and 34 percent.

On the Republican side, Ivey received 388 votes for 73.45 percent.

In last week’s runoff election, 11,856 total votes were cast from all 31 precincts.  Only 37.3 percent voted in the runoff, according to Alabamavotes.gov. Dallas County has 31,770 registered voters.

Memorial Stadium Chief Inspector Dusty Brown explained the low turnout.

“More people vote in the general election than a run-off,” Brown said.

With that in mind, I expect a large number of voters to participate in the General Election.

I see another factor: the crossover voting ban won’t be in effect. The bill, signed by Ivey last year, requires voters to choose a party in the primary and remain with that party through the runoff.

In the General election, a voter can choose a candidate of their choice regardless of political party.

I expect Maddox will dominate Dallas County because the area has always leaned Democrat. His numbers back that up.

In the 2010 election loss to Ray J. Bentley, democrat Ron Sparks received 11,118 votes and 70.8 percent in Dallas County.

Bentley, who resigned on April 10, 2017 due to a sex scandal with a political aide, had 4,561 votes and 29.1 percent.

 Alabama hasn›t produced a Democratic Governor in 20 years since Don Siegelman was elected in 1998.

Ivey, however, is considered the favorite to get re-elected, based on strong Republican support in other parts of the state.

Although it’s too early to tell, it’s my opinion that Maddox has a chance to end the Democrat’s 20-year drought for Governor.

If that happens, it’s quite possible Dallas County may have helped him get elected.