By Marla Jones

Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA--Voters will return to the polls on November 8 for the 2022 General election where several major races will be decided.

Among the key races in Alabama is the governor’s race, with incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey (R), facing Democratic challenger, Yolanda Flowers. 

In the race for U.S. Senate, Republican Katie Britt will face Democratic nominee Will Boyd for the Alabama open U.S. Senate seat, held by retiring Sen. Richard Shelby. 

Voters will also decide if they would like to ratify the Alabama Constitution that will remove racist language and repealed provisions.  The Alabama Constitution has been amended almost 1,000 times. 

There will be ten constitutional amendments on the ballot for voters to consider statewide.

Amendment 1

Amendment 1, or Aniah’s Law, would change Section 16 of the constitution, which allows changes to those who could make bail.  Aniah Blanchard was a college student who was abducted and murdered.  The man charged in her death was out on bond after being charged with several violent crimes. 

This change will give judges more discretion to deny bail to people charged with violent crimes.  It will add murder, kidnapping, rape, sodomy, domestic violence, robbery, aggravated child abuse, terrorism, and sexual torture. 

Amendment 2

This amendment is part of the state’s effort to expand broadband access.  It will give local governments the authority to grant federal funds to public or private companies to expand access to high-speed internet. 

Amendment 3

This amendment would require the governor to notify the attorney general and the victim’s family before commuting a death sentence.  This bill was sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston (R) from Scottsboro.

Amendment 4

This amendment would prevent lawmakers from making election procedure changes within six months of an election. 

Amendment 5

Deletes outdated references such as “orphans’ business”  in regard to the probate judge duties.  Judges would continue to handle guardianships and adoptions. 

Amendment 6

This amendment would give cities and towns that collect a special property tax, the ability to use tax dollars to “pay as you go” for construction projects instead of going into debt. 

Amendment 7

The amendment gives the local government more power to issue economic development incentives.  

Amendments 8 and 9

These amendments would bring certain privately owned sewer systems, even if only temporarily, under regulation by the Public Service Commission. Amendment 8 applies to Shelby County whereas Amendment 9 pertains to the town of Lake View in Tuscaloosa and Jefferson Counties.

Amendment 10

If a new constitution is ratified, this amendment would allow any new amendments to be placed within the document, not just listed at the end.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.