API releases guide to the 2018 proposed Constitutional amendments

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Alabama vote

On Election Day, Alabamians will have the chance to decide whether several proposed amendments should be added to state’s Constitution.

But proposed constitutional amendments can be confusing, which is why the Alabama Policy Institute (API) has release a Guide to the Issues on the 2018 Proposed Constitutional Amendments in order to explain the statewide constitutional amendments in plain language to help voters make informed decisions.

“Through the explanations and information provided in this guide, the people of Alabama will be able to confidently cast their votes on the constitutional amendments,” reads the API guide.

Below are the four proposed statewide amendments, as they will appear on the Nov. 6 general election ballot (without API’s explanations):

  • Proposed Statewide Amendment No. 1
    “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, providing for certain religious rights and liberties; authorizing the display of the Ten Commandments on state property and property owned or administrated by a public school or public body; and prohibiting the expenditure of public funds in defense of the constitutionality of this amendment.” (Proposed by Act 2018-389)
  • Proposed Statewide Amendment No. 2
    “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended; to declare and otherwise affirm that it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, most importantly the right to life in all manners and measures appropriate and lawful; and to provide that the constitution of this state does not protect the right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.” (Proposed by Act 2017-188)
  • Proposed Statewide Amendment No. 3
    “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, relating to the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, to specify that the congressional districts from which members are appointed continue to reflect those as constituted on January 1, 2018, to remove the State Superintendent of Education from membership, and to delete the requirement that members vacate office at the annual meeting of the board following their seventieth birthday.” (Proposed by Act 2018-132)
  • Proposed Statewide Amendment No. 4
    “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that, if a vacancy in either the House of Representatives or the Senate occurs on or after October 1 of the third year of a quadrennium, the seat would remain vacant until a successor is elected at the next succeeding general election.” (Proposed by Act 2018-276)

API’s guide also includes sample ballots for county’s across the state.