March 2024 Alabama Amendment 1

March 2024 Alabama Amendment 1

March 4, 2024
Exempt Local Bills from Budget Isolation Resolution Amendment
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 341,515 48.69% No 359,850 51.31% Valid votes 701,365 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 701,365 100.00%
County results Yes   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% No   60–70%   50–60%

Alabama Amendment 1 was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that appeared on the ballot in the U.S. state of Alabama on March 4, 2024, concurrent with the 2024 United States elections. The amendment failed with 51% of voters voting against it. ^{[1] [2]}

Text

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to amend Section 71.01 authorizing the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or constitutional amendments before the transmission of basic appropriations. ^[3]

Background

In Alabama, lawmakers must first pass state budgets before any other legislation can be passed. ^[4] The amendment was placed on the ballot in July 2023 by the Alabama Legislature. ^{[5] [6]}

Purpose

The amendment would have allowed members of the legislature to vote on and pass legislation related to local county or city-level issues before passing a budget. ^[7]

References

1. Zeigler, Jim. "Constitutional amendment to expedite local bills fails 51-49%". 1819 News. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
2. Etheredge, Alec. "State, county vote against Amendment 1 on Primary ballot". Shelby County Reporter. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
3. Sapp, Savannah. "Amendment 1 on Alabama Primary ballot explained". WSFA . Retrieved June 27, 2025.
4. Hightower, Morgan. "Understanding Amendment 1 ahead of Alabama's Primary Election". WBRC. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
5. "Amendment 1 on Alabama primary ballot would cut procedural vote for local bills". CBS 42. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
6. Moon, Josh. "Lawmakers want to use special session to remove procedural step". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
7. Zeigler, Jim. "Constitutional Amendment One on March 5 ballot explained". 1819 News. Retrieved June 27, 2025.