The Huntsville City Council at-large Position 2 election has gone into a runoff election.

When none of the three candidates received 50 percent of the votes, the two highest finishers go into a runoff election to settle who will receive the council seat. The two candidates for the runoff election are Dee Howard and Bill Bayne.

Early voting goes from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11 in the Walker County Annex.

Both candidates described how their backgrounds might set them apart from the competition. Howard has a history in the public sector and non-profit management.

“I’m from Huntsville, I went to Huntsville high school, I went to Sam and graduated from both,” Howard said. “I grew up here and I left and I’m coming back with fresh eyes and experience that I think will make me the best candidate to bring some changes to the city.”

Bayne has over 40 years of experience in the construction business.

“I worked in the construction industry on some fairly large projects,” Bayne said. “So, coordinating with a lot of people, maintaining a budget and a lot of problem solving with people and conditions were the things that I had to address on a daily basis.”

The council seat is considered “at-large,” which means anyone in the city can vote for it. Whoever gets the position will hold the office for two years as a representative of the entire city of Huntsville.

Both candidates also detailed what they would like to tell voters before heading into the election.

“I’m committed to serve all the citizens of Huntsville,” Howard said. “I have 25 years of public service experience. I want to give back to the community that gave me so much. And I need everyone’s vote.”

“I think the main thing is however it turns out I’ve had an opportunity to meet some really nice folks that I couldn’t have met sitting on the sidelines,” Bayne said. “It’s given me the chance to be involved and see some things going on in the city and meet some positive people.”

Election Day will be Dec. 15, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the Walker County Annex.