Alabama voters will decide four proposed constitutional amendments in the Nov. 3 general election, with the state now publishing both the ballot language and explanatory statements for each measure.
The statewide list from the Alabama Secretary of State confirms that all four questions will appear statewide. They address how to fill a lieutenant governor vacancy, a process for consolidating county school systems, daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance with optional student-led prayer, and weekly performance or broadcast of the national anthem in public schools.
Amendment 1 would create a way to fill a lieutenant governor vacancy when it occurs more than 60 days before the next general election. The proposal also would allow the Legislature to set compensation for the lieutenant governor and legislative officers by joint resolution. The enrolled measure passed both legislative chambers without opposition, according to the legislative record summarized by the Alabama Reflector.
Amendment 2 would establish a constitutional process for two or more county school boards to combine. It requires an impact study by the State Board of Education and provides a protest mechanism. If written objections come from at least 25% of registered voters in an affected county system, a majority vote at the next general election would be needed before the merger could proceed. The underlying legislation passed the House 96-2 and the Senate unanimously.
The two remaining proposals concern school routines. Amendment 3 would require local boards to adopt policies for daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and would permit policies allowing student-initiated, student-led prayer. Students could decline participation. Amendment 4 would require a weekly broadcast or performance of the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The commission review reported that the Fair Ballot Commission approved explanatory language for all four measures and that each amendment needs a simple majority to pass.
The Secretary of State’s election page also provides county sample ballots and the state certifications for candidates and constitutional amendments. Because the amendments are statewide, they will appear regardless of which county ballot a voter receives.
The immediate practical deadline is registration. Alabama’s general-election registration cutoff is Oct. 19, according to an election guide that also lists Oct. 27 as the mail deadline and Oct. 29 as the in-person deadline for absentee-ballot applications. Completed absentee ballots must be hand-delivered by Nov. 2 or received by mail by noon on Election Day.
The four questions would alter the state constitution rather than enact ordinary statutes. A “yes” vote supports the proposed constitutional change described in that question; a “no” vote leaves the constitution unchanged. The measures are separate, so voters may decide each one independently. Voters can review the official explanations before reaching the polls and compare them with the exact language on their county’s sample ballot.
