Only 2 of 25 amendments on ballot statewide

MONTGOMERY (AP) — A total of 25 amendments will be on Alabama election ballots in 2008, but only two will be voted on statewide. The others will only be on the ballot in individual counties, a state commission decided Wednesday.

The amendments will mostly be on the ballot for the Nov. 4 general election, but two will be on the ballot for the Feb. 5 presidential preference primary and one will be decided on June 3, the date of the regular primary.

Members of The Callahan Commission decided that all but two of the amendments dealt with purely local issues. The Callahan Commission is a panel of state officials who decide whether amendments will be on the statewide ballot or on local ballots.

State law requires that an amendment be voted on state-wide if it does not pass the House and the Senate by unanimous votes. The commission voted to place an amendment setting up a commission to help fill judgeship vacancies in Shelby County on the statewide ballot because it received two "no" votes in the Senate.

Another amendment that will be on the statewide ballot provides for an ad valorem tax for public schools in the city of Madison. Commission members said the measure would have to be on the statewide ballot because the city of Madison straddles two counties — Madison and Limestone.

Both statewide measures will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Email This Page