Difference between revisions of "Alabama Constitution"
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The '''Alabama Constitution''' is the governing document for the state of [[Alabama]]. | The '''Alabama Constitution''' is the governing document for the state of [[Alabama]]. | ||
| − | The most recent Constitution was adopted by voters in 2022, after numerous complaints about the prior one (adopted in 1901) which was one of the longest and most detailed constitutions in the world. The revision repealed obsolete (and, in some cases, overtly racist) provisions (such as a provision prohibiting interracial marriage) and recompiled the prior text (which contained over | + | The most recent Constitution was adopted by voters in 2022, after numerous complaints about the prior one (adopted in 1901) which was one of the longest and most detailed constitutions in the world. The revision repealed obsolete (and, in some cases, overtly racist) provisions (such as a provision prohibiting interracial marriage) and recompiled the prior text (which contained over 900 separate amendments, and like the United States Constitution the amendments were shown after the main text) into a more readable format. |
| − | However, the recompilation didn't deal with the document's main problem: it dramatically centralizes Alabama's governing power in its capital, [[Montgomery]]. Many of the prior amendments still retained deal with specific issues involving only specific counties; local entities have very little authority to pass local laws customarily handled at the local level in other states. Worse, the (prior) Amendment 555 (still retained) established that a "local amendment did not have to be voted on '''statewide''' if it passed both houses of the Legislature without a dissenting vote."<ref>http://www.constitutionalreform.org/news/article93.shtml (emphasis added).</ref> If just one person in the legislature dissents, then the local law must go on the statewide ballot for a vote; if no one dissents, then it is voted on only in the affected county. | + | However, the recompilation didn't deal with the document's main problem: it dramatically centralizes Alabama's governing power in its capital, [[Montgomery]]. Many of the prior amendments still retained deal with specific issues involving only specific counties; local entities have very little authority to pass local laws customarily handled at the local level in other states<ref>For example, the recompiled constitution contains 37 pages of amendments pertaining solely to Mobile County, Alabama.</ref>. Worse, the (prior) Amendment 555 (still retained) established that a "local amendment did not have to be voted on '''statewide''' if it passed both houses of the Legislature without a dissenting vote."<ref>http://www.constitutionalreform.org/news/article93.shtml (emphasis added).</ref> If just one person in the legislature dissents, then the local law must go on the statewide ballot for a vote; if no one dissents, then it is voted on only in the affected county. As such, it remains among the longest constitutions in the world. |
Its preamble states, "We the people of the State of [[Alabama]], invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty [[God]], do ordain and establish the following Constitution." | Its preamble states, "We the people of the State of [[Alabama]], invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty [[God]], do ordain and establish the following Constitution." | ||
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[[Category:State Constitutions]] | [[Category:State Constitutions]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Alabama]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:38, October 4, 2025
The Alabama Constitution is the governing document for the state of Alabama.
The most recent Constitution was adopted by voters in 2022, after numerous complaints about the prior one (adopted in 1901) which was one of the longest and most detailed constitutions in the world. The revision repealed obsolete (and, in some cases, overtly racist) provisions (such as a provision prohibiting interracial marriage) and recompiled the prior text (which contained over 900 separate amendments, and like the United States Constitution the amendments were shown after the main text) into a more readable format.
However, the recompilation didn't deal with the document's main problem: it dramatically centralizes Alabama's governing power in its capital, Montgomery. Many of the prior amendments still retained deal with specific issues involving only specific counties; local entities have very little authority to pass local laws customarily handled at the local level in other states[1]. Worse, the (prior) Amendment 555 (still retained) established that a "local amendment did not have to be voted on statewide if it passed both houses of the Legislature without a dissenting vote."[2] If just one person in the legislature dissents, then the local law must go on the statewide ballot for a vote; if no one dissents, then it is voted on only in the affected county. As such, it remains among the longest constitutions in the world.
Its preamble states, "We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution."
References
- ↑ For example, the recompiled constitution contains 37 pages of amendments pertaining solely to Mobile County, Alabama.
- ↑ http://www.constitutionalreform.org/news/article93.shtml (emphasis added).
