Alabama Moves One Step Closer To Removing Racist Language From State Constitution
Alabama voters this year have the opportunity to reorganize the state’s Constitution, as well as remove racist language from the document.
The passage of a statewide ballot measure to purge racist language from the Alabama Constitution marks an important step in what could be a long process.
Amendment 4 passed with almost 67% of the vote in Tuesday’s election. One of six constitutional amendments on the state ballot this November, the measure authorizes lawmakers to recompile the Alabama Constitution and submit it during the 2022 legislative session.
Alabama’s Constitution is the longest in the world. Most of the original language has never been removed — it’s simply been nullified by later amendments or federal court orders. The state constitution still includes language that segregates schools and bans interracial marraige.
Amendment 4 was sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Merika Coleman and co-sponsored by Republican House Speaker Mac McCutcheon. It passed both houses of the Alabama State Legislature unanimously.
Similar amendments in 2004 and 2012 failed to win majority support from Alabama voters. The primary disagreement was over constitutional Amendment 111, which declares that the state does not guarantee “any right to education or training at public expense.” For years, Democratic lawmakers have wanted this language removed, but Republicans feared that such a move would disrupt private education. This year, legislators decided to leave this issue alone, a choice that boosted the amendment’s chances of passage.
“The support of a variety of progressive and even conservative groups on both sides of the spectrum provided some comfort to voters who may have been concerned about changing the state’s constitution,” said Randolph Horn, a Samford political science professor.
It will take years to revise the Alabama Constitution. Amendment 4’s passage was just an initial step in what will be a cumbersome process. The Legislative Reference Service will now draft changes to the state constitution. Those changes will go before the Legislature in 2022. If the legislature approves the proposed changes, voters will then have to vote on the new constitution, perhaps in the 2022 general election.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
