Understanding Elmore County special referendum: repealing the Limited Self-Governance Act
When Alabamians get to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, voters in some counties will see local amendments and special referendums on the ballot. Here’s a look at what some residents of Elmore County will need to know about a special referendum they’ll see on the ballot: On the ballot: SPECIAL REFERENDUM ELECTION “Shall the powers previously authorized to the Elmore County Commission under Chapter 11-3A-1 et seq., of the Code of Alabama, 1975, also known as “The Alabama Limited Self-Governance Act,” be repealed in Elmore County? The powers authorized the County Commission to provide for its property and affairs; and for the public welfare, health and safety of its citizens throughout unincorporated areas of the county by excercising certain powers for protection of the county and public property under its control, except as otherwise prohibited and/or defined by law. The authorized powers include: (1) Abatement of weeds as a public nuisance; (2) Control of animals and animal nuisances; (3) Control of litter or rubbish; (4) Control of junkyards which create a public nuisance because of an accumulation of items; and (5) Abatement of noise, unsanitary sewage, or pollution Vote: Yes/No What it means: If passed, the referendum would repeal the “Limited Self Governance Act” in Elmore County. Passed in 2014, the act gave additional power to the commission to enact or strengthen laws dealing with issues such as weed and animal control, litter and junkyards in unincorporated areas of the county. County leaders say the law was written too broadly to be effective and that many locals did not understand it when they first approved it. Sample ballot Click out the Elmore County sample ballot: Front side | Back side Don’t live in Elmore County? Find your county’s sample ballot here.
Understanding Etowah County special referendum: Sunday alcohol sales
When Alabamians get to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, voters in some counties will see local amendments and special referendums on the ballot. Here’s a look at what some residents of Etowah County, outside of municipalities, will need to know about a special referendum they’ll see on the ballot: On the ballot: SPECIAL REFERENDUM Pursuant to Act No. 2017-305 Do you favor the legal sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages outside the corporate limits of any municipality within the county on Sunday as further provided for and regulated by ordinance of the county commission? Vote: Yes/No What it means: If passed, the special referendum would allow the sale and distribution of alcohol on Sundays outside of the corporate limits of any county municipality. The referendum is made possible by legislation sponsored last year by Gadsden-Republican, State Rep. Becky Nordgren that gave Etowah County municipalities the right to call for referendums on Sunday sales, and authorized the County Commission to do so in unincorporated areas. Sample ballot Click out the Etowah County sample ballot: Front side | Back side Don’t live in Etowah County? Find your county’s sample ballot here.
