Alabama ballot measures target schools and state governance
Alabama’s general election ballot will feature four constitutional amendments addressing lieutenant governor vacancies, school system mergers, daily pledges, and weekly national anthem requirements in public schools.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. —
Alabama voters will decide on four proposed constitutional amendments during the general election on November 3, addressing changes to governance and education policies across the state.
Amendment 1 would change how a lieutenant governor vacancy is filled. If the position becomes vacant within two months of the next statewide election, voters would elect someone to complete the term. The amendment also allows lawmakers to set certain salaries and requires approval for their travel spending.
The remaining three amendments focus on education. Amendment 2 would create a process for neighboring county school systems to merge.
That process would include a state impact study. If at least 25% of voters in any affected county object, then voters in all counties would have to approve the merger.
State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said this amendment reflects the challenges faced by some school systems in Alabama.
“I have several school systems this year that had to close two, three, four schools because there are just not students,” Mackey said.
He added that population shifts and declines in rural counties are prompting a need to rethink how school systems are organized.
“As we see population shifts away from the rural counties, and we’re seeing population declines everywhere, we’re probably going to get to a point that we have to rethink how we organize the system. And that may mean combining some city and county districts. It might mean combining some cities with one another,” Mackey said.
Amendment 3 would require public schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily, something Dr. Mackey said is already standard practice in Alabama schools.
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“I realize this would be enshrined in the Constitution, but since everybody’s already doing the pledge every day, led by students, it really has no practical change in operations for us,” Mackey said.
The amendment would also allow for student-initiated, student-led and voluntary prayer in schools. One Alabama voter, Virginia Turner, expressed her support for this provision.
“I would say yes because a lot of schools need that in it. It’s a good way to start your day and it’s positive,” Turner said.
When asked about students of other religions, voter Carl Powe said, “I think they would be better off saying the Pledge of Allegiance or whatever they feel is accepted.”
The final amendment would require public schools to broadcast or arrange a performance of the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at least once a week.
The general election is set for November 3.
