Who has the better organization?

Who has supporters with the “fire in the belly” to get to the polls?

The answers to those questions could provide the answer to today’s runoff vote for Birmingham’s next mayor. Right now, political observers expect a narrow margin of victory.

The December 8th frontrunner, attorney turned political activist Patrick Cooper, tells FOX6 News he is encouraged by the signs he sees today.

“People who have been coming to the polls have said the reason they are coming out is they want to see some change,” Cooper says, “they’re tired of the same faces, same names creating the same results.”

Sticking to his familiar themes, Cooper urged a vote against the “status quo.” Cooper says he will spend most of the day going from polling place to polling place, shaking voters hands and thanking them for their support.

“People get out and vote when they want to see change…we represent fresh ideas and a fresh approach to the city.”

William Bell sees it differently.

“You can’t be mayor if you are talking the city down,” Bell says, taking a shot at Cooper’s rhetoric.

“We are talking the city up and not only that, but talking about what we are going to do in the future,” the veteran Birmingham politician says.

Bell appeared with his wife this morning at the Legion Field polling site. He plans to spend the day “knocking on doors” and urging voters to support him.

Plenty of people expect a larger turnout than the December vote (24%). So far, campaign workers say turnout seems very similar to that December vote. Numbers dwindled as rain moved in late in the day then. With clear weather, the campaigns expect turnout to hold steady.

Birmingham Southern College political science professor Natalie Davis says “this will be close.” Watch her interview on Good Day Alabama this morning here.

Filed under: Elections