As Americans headed to the polls this week for national and statewide elections, the Town of Elberta has already seen a shift in its own leadership.

Jim Hamby, who served as Elberta's mayor since 2020, stepped down in October, fulfilling his promise to retire early from the extended term he and all other elected municipal officials were given. Hamby confirmed to Gulf Coast Media that his "last day was Oct. 15" and that Elberta Town Council "voted to make Steve Kirkpatrick mayor and Randy Kurts (mayor pro tempore)."

Hamby's decision to step down early follows a 2021 state law that extended municipal terms by one year. The change, which affected cities across Baldwin County, aimed to separate municipal and presidential election cycles, reducing voter confusion, easing poll worker fatigue and addressing equipment shortages. As a result, the next municipal elections will take place on Aug. 26, 2025.

Qualifying opens June 10, 2025, at 8 a.m. and closes June 24, 2025, at 5 p.m. Qualifying is done through the city clerk.

Any necessary runoffs will take place Sept. 23, 2025, and those elected will be sworn in Nov. 3, 2025.

Hamby, who was initially elected in 2020, expressed reluctance at the extended term when it was first announced.

"I didn't sign on for that. Eight years is enough for George Washington. Eight years is enough for Jim Hamby," he told Gulf Coast Media in 2022, noting he would follow Washington's example by not overstaying his time in office. "I'm not comparing myself to George Washington. I'm just following his example."