In about 24 hours, Alabama voters will head to the polls to choose their party's candidates for November's general election.
There are also proposed statewide amendments, causing confusion among voters.
of The title of the voting item is“Proposes the Alabama Constitution Amendment Act of 2022 to amend Section 71.01, which authorizes the Legislature to sign and deliver local law or constitutional amendments prior to the transfer of basic appropriations.”
The amendment is related to an amendment passed in 1984 that required the governor to submit a budget proposal to the Legislature by the second day of the legislative session. It also required the Legislature to pass a bill and submit it to the governor, establishing a budget for the state's basic needs and education, before enacting any other legislation. However, a bill could be exempt from this requirement if at least 60% of Congress specifically approved an exemption from the budget separation resolution.
If passed Tuesday, the amendment would remove the budget isolation resolution restriction on local law and local constitutional amendments, allowing them to be considered before approving a budget without a 60% supermajority vote.
“This is definitely what we call it in baseball,” said the amendment's sponsor, state Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Platteville), according to Ballotpedia.org. “And most people don't necessarily understand that. In my opinion, this just removes one unnecessary hurdle that doesn't really have any impact on the law.”
Sonny Brassfield, executive director of the Alabama County Commission, echoed Chambliss' sentiments. Emphasizing a BIR vote is not a vote to pass a bill. He goes so far as to say that Montgomery is more or less getting in the way of issues that only concern one municipality.
“I think that's important for everyone to understand,” Brassfield said. “This was a well-crafted local bill, some might say unnecessary, and clearly the Legislature overwhelmingly agreed with it.
“The general public has no idea what the letters BIR stand for. And unless you make a career out of this process, no one will.”
Brassfield also said education is key, making sure voters understand the meaning of the amendment through all the legislation and “inside baseball.”
“I think one of the challenges we always face with constitutional reform is educating people,” he said. “We'll start doing that with next month's tournament and educate our employees a little bit better about this as well. “It's a little too much inside baseball right now, even for some of our members. ”
Tuesday's primary election also has different rules than the general election.
Madison County Judge Frank Berger provided tips and information to voters, including reminding them that polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Berger advises voters to familiarize themselves with the office and amendments on Tuesday's ballot.
These are party-specific elections, so voters must request either a Republican or Democratic ballot. Berger also advised voters about the rules regarding crossover voting, where Democrats vote for Republican candidates and vice versa.
According to Alabama law, if an elector votes in a primary, he or she may vote in a subsequent primary only if he or she votes in the primary of the same party in which the runoff is being held. You can vote in the runoff election. Those who do not vote in the primary can choose either party's ballot in the subsequent primary runoff.
Just follow a few simple steps and you'll be ready to vote.
- Precinct boundaries or voting locations may have changed since the last election. To find your voting location, visit: https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview
- Please ensure you have an acceptable photo ID. A list of acceptable forms of identification can be found at: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/voter-id
- Voters age 70 and older or with disabilities can move to the front of the line at their polling place.
- If you are elderly, have a disability, or have special needs, please feel free to request assistance. Election officials will assist you.
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