SJR27 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Rodger SmithermanRoger Bedford, Jr.

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Constitutional convention, special election called to revise and amend Constitution of Alabama of 1901, election of delegates, special election to ratify proposed Constitution of Alabama

Summary

This measure would create a statewide process to rewrite Alabama's 1901 Constitution through a constitutional convention, including a June 2012 vote on whether to hold the convention, election of delegates, and a separate vote to ratify the proposed constitution.

What This Bill Does

It sets up a June 2012 special statewide election to decide if Alabama should hold a constitutional convention to revise the 1901 Constitution to remove racist language and eliminate regressive taxes. If voters approve, it then provides for electing 210 delegates (two from each House district) in November 2012, for the convention to be held starting in June 2013, and for a separate special election to ratify the proposed revised constitution. If ratified, the new constitution would take effect on January 1 of the following year, with funding and governance rules in place for the process and strict ethics, lobbying, and compensation rules for delegates.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama, who would decide in the June 2012 election whether to hold the convention and, later, whether to ratify the proposed revised constitution.
• People chosen as delegates to the convention (elected nonpartisan delegates from each House district) and the offices and agencies involved in running the election and the convention, who would operate under defined eligibility, oath, compensation, and ethics rules.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Establishes a June 2012 special statewide election to determine whether to hold a constitutional convention to revise and amend the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, with a ballot question about removing racist language and eliminating regressive taxes.
• Provision 2: If the convention is approved, December 2012/November 2012 delegate election details call for 210 delegates (two per House district), nonpartisan, with specific eligibility, oath, compensation limits, and ethics/lobbying rules, and requires the convention to draft a revised constitution and submit it for ratification in a subsequent special election.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative