1946 Alabama gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1946 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1946 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1946, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Democrat Chauncey Sparks was term-limited, and could not seek a second consecutive term.

1946 Alabama gubernatorial election

← 1942 November 5, 1946 1950 →

Nominee Jim Folsom Lyman Ward Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 174,962 22,362 Percentage 88.67% 11.33%

County results Folsom:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election Chauncey Sparks Democratic Elected Governor Jim Folsom Democratic

Democratic primary

At the time this election took place, Alabama, as with most other southern states, was solidly Democratic, and the Republican Party had such diminished influence that the Democratic primary was the de facto contest for state offices.

Candidates

• Elbert Boozer, Calhoun County probate judge
• Leven H. Ellis, lieutenant governor
• Jim Folsom, businessman and candidate for governor in 1942
• Gordon Persons, president of the Public Service Commission
• Joe N. Poole, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries

Results

1946 Alabama Democratic gubernatorial primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim Folsom	103,174	28.46
	Democratic	Leven H. Ellis	88,459	24.40
	Democratic	Joe N. Poole	70,925	19.56
	Democratic	Elbert Boozer	58,134	16.04
	Democratic	Gordon Persons	41,851	11.54
Total votes			362,543	100.00

Runoff

As no candidate received a majority of votes, a runoff election was held.

1946 Alabama Democratic gubernatorial primary runoff^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim Folsom	205,168	58.74
	Democratic	Leven H. Ellis	144,126	41.26
Total votes			349,294	100.00

Results

1946 Alabama gubernatorial election^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim Folsom	174,962	88.67
	Republican	Lyman Ward	22,362	11.33
Total votes			197,324	100.00
	Democratic hold